The RTÉ 2fm poll to find the Ultimate Ireland Playlist concluded on Monday night with a special broadcast on RTÉ One, where the nation's favourite song was revealed to be the iconic 'Zombie' by The Cranberries.
The protest song from the 1990s has taken on extra poignancy in recent years after the tragic death of the band's lead singer Dolores O'Riordan in 2018.
After 'Zombie' was revealed as the nation's number one, a special performance was conducted by Nadine Coyle with a chamber orchestra - and the performance divided opinion on Irish Twitter.
'Zombie' voted Ireland's favourite song on 2fm
RTÉ 2fm's quest to find the nation's favourite song came to a close on Monday night, and the concluding performance saw special performances from several of Ireland's biggest acts to celebrate Irish music.
One of those saw Nadine Coyle perform the Cranberries' winning song 'Zombie'. Though the setting was spectacular, with an orchestra backing Coyle and a dramatic lights show, the performance divided viewers.
Some felt that, though Coyle gave a great performance, the song was not quite suited to her voice.
Many, however, were blown away by the rendition of 'Zombie', saying that it had done justice not only to the song, but to the memory of the late Dolores O'Riordan.
omg I neeeeded this cover https://t.co/u5T32ZJ5ik
— lib (@ChezzasSoldierX) November 1, 2022
First job an MD has to do is check the key. The days of the vocalist just “fitting in” to whatever suited the orchestra are long gone. This was simply the wrong key for her. https://t.co/LRDO13I4QP
— Walter Saywell (@walter_saywell) November 1, 2022
Everybody putting Nadine Coyle down for her version of Zombie. I think she delivered a great performance. She's not Deloris, and didn't try to be. Good for her. https://t.co/B2aAWs3W5O
— TheCancelled (@TheCancelled2) November 1, 2022
The eventual top ten in the voters' list included entries from the likes of U2, Aslan, and the Saw Doctors, who were thrilled to finish in fourth place with the beloved 'N17'.
Delighted for writers Leo Moran & Davy Carton--their song 'N17' has been voted No. 4 on the Ultimate Irish Playlist on RTE One tonight. Bravo The Saw Doctors. "Travelling with just my thoughts and dreams" #UltimateIrishPlaylist @RTE2fm @RTERadio1 @TracyClifford @davefanning pic.twitter.com/4uhwaFW6yg
— Ollie Jennings (@JenningsOllie) November 1, 2022
A touching performance on the night saw Nathan Carter join Bagatelle bassist Ken Doyle to perform the band's 1980 hit 'Summer in Dublin'.
The band's frontman Liam Reilly sadly passed away in 2021, but the song remains an icon of the capital city. Doyle praised the rendition of the song by Nathan Carter:
It's very emotional but Nathan did an amazing job on it. He put his own stamp on it which is lovely as well. He did his own version but it's a very credible version.
The final top ten read:
- 'Zombie' by The Cranberries
- 'Fairytale of New York' by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl
- 'The Boys Are Back In Town' by Thin Lizzy
- 'N17' by The Saw Doctors
- 'Crazy World' by Aslan
- 'Where The Streets Have No Name' by U2
- 'Nothing Compares 2 U' by Sinead O'Connor
- 'Teenage Kicks' by The Undertones
- 'Summer in Dublin' by Bagatella
- 'Maniac 2000' by Marc McCabe
We have to say, Maniac 2000 being "officially" crowned one of Ireland's ten greatest ever songs is one of the highlights of 2022 so far.
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