The Cranberries - Zombie Guitar Tab
"Zombie" is a protest song by the Irish rock band The Cranberries, released in 1994 as the lead single from their second album, No Need to Argue.
Written by lead singer Dolores O'Riordan, the song was inspired by the 1993 IRA bombing in Warrington, England, which killed two children.
Deeply moved by the tragedy, O'Riordan penned "Zombie" as a response to the violence and a plea for peace amid the ongoing conflict in Northern Ireland known as The Troubles.
Musically, "Zombie" marked a departure from the band's softer, more melodic sound, embracing a grungier, heavier rock style.
The song features distorted guitar riffs and a powerful vocal performance by O'Riordan, whose haunting delivery underscores the anguish and anger in the lyrics.
Lines like "With their tanks and their bombs, and their bombs and their guns" point to the brutal, cyclical nature of political violence.
The repeated cry of "Zombie, zombie, zombie" represents the dehumanization and numbness that can arise in the face of ongoing conflict.
"Zombie" became The Cranberries' most iconic and controversial song, praised for its emotional impact and bold political stance.
It topped the charts in multiple countries and remains a symbol of anti-violence and protest through music.
Over the years, the song has been covered by many artists and continues to be relevant in contexts of war, resistance, and human suffering.
PDF file availability: available
Open PDF viewerThe Cranberries - Zombie Guitar Tab Video
How to Read a Guitar Tab
In music, a tablature is a symbolic form of musical notation adapted to a specific instrument, intended to be read and performed more easily than a traditional musical score.
To put it simply, a tablature represents the guitar neck and indicates which notes to play and when.
In guitar tabs, the lines represent the six strings of the guitar, and the numbers on the lines indicate which frets to press with your fingers.
Why Learn to Read Guitar Tablature?
Tablatures are especially useful for learning the guitar without needing to understand traditional music theory.
Additionally, almost all modern songs are transcribed into guitar tablature. If you want to learn your favorite songs, knowing how to read guitar tabs is essential.
The Basic Principles of Reading Tablature
- A tablature always represents the lower notes at the bottom.
- It is important to know the names of the strings (E, A, D, G, B, E).
- Numbers indicate which fret to place your finger on.
- A "0" means an open string, which is played without pressing on any fret.
- Tabs are read from left to right.
