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Jacob Waid

Prof. Kretzer

ENG-1201-5T2

31 October 2021

Analyzing Visual Texts for “Zombie”

“What’s in your head, zombie?” is the question being asked as we see an armed

soldier in the music video for The Cranberries’ song “Zombie.” This is asked again when

we see children playing with weapons in the same music video. However, in the Bad

Wolves cover of the same song, when the same question is asked, we see a golden

figure behind a glass wall. The song “Zombie” by The Cranberries was originally

released in 1994, then later reprised by Bad Wolves in 2018. Its purpose in 1994 was to

bring attention to the negative consequences of military operations on civilian

populations, specifically children. The reprise by Bad Wolves acts as a reminder of this

still relevant message, while honoring The Cranberries' lead singer for originally putting

it forth.

In the music video for “Zombie” by The Cranberries, we first see children playing

without weapons. However, the children quickly start to play with dangerous objects,

first melee weapons and then guns. This progression occurs as we see more armed

soldiers patrolling streets and neighborhoods. We also see increased art and

propaganda related to an armed conflict. Also, in the same video but in a different
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setting, we see a golden figure played by the lead singer of the band, against a cross.

Surrounding her are silver children with bows and arrows. Eventually, the children

playing with weapons are hurt, and as this happens, the silver children begin to cry out

as if in pain. The video ends with multiple armed soldiers gathering, and a child holding

a gun while on the ground.

Bad Wolves’ music video for their version of “Zombie” differs substantially from

the one made by The Cranberries. Here, there are no armed soldiers or children

playing, but instead just the band performing the song and a golden figure emerging.

This golden figure is just like the one played by the lead singer in The Cranberries’

music video. Eventually, the vocalist of Bad Wolves and the golden figure meet but are

separated by a glass wall. As the song progresses, the golden figure smears the glass

wall with golden paint, until it is completely covered and cannot be seen through

anymore. Thus, the lead singer of Bad Wolves and the figure representing the lead

singer of The Cranberries can no longer see each other. The video then ends with a

caption honoring the lead singer of The Cranberries, who passed away before the

release of the song.

The main purpose of The Cranberries’ music video is to show the negative

influence of military occupation and armed conflicts on children. This can be seen in the

video as the increase in military personnel in civilian areas coincides with the children

playing with deadly weapons. Also, the song itself references children dying with the line

“Another head hangs lowly, child is slowly taken.” Toward the end of the video, we see

the children playing with the weapons are physically hurt. This is displayed along with a

large showing of military presence. The focus of the video is how the presence of
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soldiers in the neighborhood inspired the children to play with deadly weapons, which

led to them being hurt. Thus, the presence of armed military personnel in the

neighborhood and on the streets negatively influenced the children.

The main purpose of Bad Wolves’ music video differs substantially from that of

The Cranberries. In this video, the main purpose is to honor the lead singer of the

original song, who passed away before the reprise release, and to reiterate their

message. This can be seen as one of the main characters in the video is a golden figure

that looks just like the one played by The Cranberries’ lead singer in their video.

Reference is then made to her passing in the video when she covers the glass wall

separating her and Bad Wolves with golden paint. Thus, they can no longer see each

other. Lastly, at the end of the video, a caption honors her lyrics in the original song and

both their relevance and importance in 2018. All these references to the artist come

together to emphasize the significance of her work. The message of the song is

reiterated with a slight change in lyrics, as can be heard in the line “It’s the same old

theme in 2018.” Bad Wolves claim that the original message from The Cranberries is

still relevant.

Both music videos appeal to Pathos. In The Cranberries’ music video, they

appeal to Pathos by displaying a neighborhood occupied by timid soldiers. They also

display children fighting with weapons and eventually getting hurt, along with children

appearing to scream in pain. This is done to show how these military operations can

have a negative influence on these children. The Bad Wolves version appeals to the

Pathos by displaying the past artist of The Cranberries. Along with this, they

demonstrate her no longer being able to be seen, which represents her passing. They
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do this to show her importance in delivering The Cranberries’ original message. Both

videos appeal to those who believe that military conflict is unnecessary and has

negative effects. Also, they appeal to those who have experienced being a civilian in a

place of conflict. The Cranberries’ video appeals more specifically to those who value

what kind of influences are had on children. However, Bad Wolves’ music video appeals

more to an audience who values the original singer’s work.

Though it is the same song, The Cranberries’ and Bad Wolves’ versions of

“Zombie” differ greatly. The Cranberries focused more on demonstrating how military

operations negatively influenced children, but the Bad Wolves took a different approach.

They focused more on honoring the artist and reinforcing the original, anti-conflict

message. However, both songs focused on appealing to the Pathos. The intended

audience for both songs is also very similar, with the differences lying in the focus of

each video. Though the two music videos for “Zombie” are very different, they have key

similarities.
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Works Cited:

“The Cranberries - Zombie” YouTube, uploaded by TheCranberriesTV, 16 Jun. 2009,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ejga4kJUts

“Bad Wolves - Zombie” YouTube, uploaded by Better Noise Music, 22 Feb. 2018,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XaS93WMRQQ