The Corrs

The Corrs
Company type	Musical group
Industry	Music
Founded	1990 in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland
Founder	Andrea Corr, Sharon Corr, Caroline Corr, Jim Corr
Headquarters	Dundalk, Ireland
Products	Music albums, singles
Number of employees	4 (members)

The Corrs are a family musical group originating from Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland, composed of siblings Andrea (lead vocals, tin whistle, mandolin, ukulele), Sharon (violin, keyboards, vocals), Caroline (drums, percussion, piano, bodhrán, vocals), and Jim (guitar, piano, keyboards, vocals). Their sound fuses pop rock with traditional Irish music influences.

With seven studio albums and numerous singles to their name, they have achieved international Platinum certifications and sold over 40 million records globally. Their most notable release, Talk on Corners, attained multi-Platinum recognition in Australia and was the top-selling album in the UK during its release year. Remarkably, the band simultaneously held the first and second positions on the UK album charts with Talk on Corners at number one and Forgiven, Not Forgotten at number two. Their third studio effort, In Blue, reached the number one spot across seventeen countries.

The Corrs have been honored with two Grammy nominations and a BRIT Award, as well as receiving honorary MBEs in 2005 in recognition of their musical achievements and charitable work. They have actively engaged in philanthropy by performing at significant events including The Prince's Trust in 2004 and Live 8 in 2005.

After nearly ten years of focusing on solo projects and family life during a hiatus, reunion rumors emerged in early 2015. Andrea confirmed they were working on new material and planned a performance at BBC Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park that same year. Their sixth album, White Light, was released on 27 November 2015 accompanied by a European tour. This was followed by their seventh album, Jupiter Calling, released on 10 November 2017.

1990–1994: Initial commercial breakthroughs

Originating from Dundalk in County Louth, Ireland, The Corrs initially performed as a duo featuring Jim and Sharon playing at their aunt’s pub. By 1990, their younger sisters Caroline and Andrea joined them to form a quartet. Their career momentum increased significantly in 1991 after auditioning for the film The Commitments, where all four siblings appeared. This exposure led to their signing with manager John Hughes.

In 1994, following a performance in Dublin that caught the attention of USA ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, they were invited to play at the FIFA World Cup event held in Boston. After performing at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, The Corrs went on to support Celine Dion during her Falling into You Around the World Tour.

1995–1999: Rise to international prominence

Jason Flom, head of A&R at Atlantic Records, introduced The Corrs to producer David Foster who subsequently signed them. Their debut record, Forgiven, Not Forgotten, was recorded in the United States and incorporated Celtic musical elements along with six instrumental tracks. The album achieved Platinum status across the UK and Australia and was certified 4× Platinum in Ireland, marking a strong global entry.

Their follow-up album released in 1997, Talk on Corners, produced by Glen Ballard with contributions from Carole Bayer Sager among others, found commercial success in Ireland, the UK, and Australia. After contributing a cover of Fleetwood Mac for a tribute compilation, they reissued Talk on Corners featuring remixed tracks which topped charts worldwide and received multiple Platinum awards.

In June 1998, The Corrs took part in the Pavarotti and Friends charity concert aimed at helping children affected by conflict in Liberia. The subsequent year brought them a BRIT Award for Best International Band as well as an MTV Unplugged performance recorded at Ardmore Studios. The live album and DVD sold over 2.7 million copies worldwide and included the new song "Radio," which later appeared on their third studio album In Blue.

2000–2002: Breakthrough into the mainstream

The Corrs reached widespread acclaim in 2000 with their third studio album, In Blue, which marked a transition towards mainstream pop music. Upon release, it entered the charts at number one across several countries including Ireland, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the United Kingdom, while also securing high rankings in France, Norway, Sweden, and Spain.

Expanding their international appeal, the band collaborated with Alejandro Sanz on the track "Una Noche (One Night)" and appeared on his album El Alma Al Aire. Additionally, they worked alongside producer Robert Lange to produce the successful single "Breathless". This track achieved significant chart success globally—reaching number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number seven in Australia, number three in both Ireland and New Zealand, and claiming the top position in the UK. The song also garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

In Blue launched at number one on the Irish Albums Chart and recorded one of the highest single-week sales figures at that time. It earned Platinum certification in the United States, double Platinum status in the UK, and quadruple Platinum in Australia.

During the album’s creation, the band endured a personal tragedy with the loss of their mother, Jean Corr. The song "No More Cry", penned by Andrea and Caroline Corr, was dedicated to supporting their father through this period of mourning.

In 2001, they issued their inaugural greatest hits collection, Best of The Corrs, which included popular tracks alongside new singles such as "Would You Be Happier?" and "Lifting Me". While it achieved moderate chart performance in Ireland, it was certified Platinum in Australia. That year also saw a collaboration with Josh Groban on "Canto Alla Vita" for his debut release.

Back in Ireland, The Corrs staged a live performance at Ardmore Studios, featuring guest appearances by Bono from U2 and Ronnie Wood from The Rolling Stones. Memorable moments from this event included duets on "Summer Wine" and "When the Stars Go Blue", as well as guitar contributions on "Little Wing" and "Ruby Tuesday". These recordings were compiled into the live album VH1 Presents: The Corrs, Live in Dublin, which was released in the UK.

2003–2005: Subsequent period

In 2003, Andrea Corr recorded "Time Enough for Tears", a song written by Bono and Gavin Friday for the motion picture In America. This track later appeared on The Corrs’ 2004 release Borrowed Heaven. Produced by Olle Romo, recognized for his work with Melanie C and Kelly Clarkson, the album was developed over an 18-month span across studios in Dublin and Los Angeles. Borrowed Heaven marked a return to their folk rock roots with an enhanced focus on guitar arrangements. Although it did not match the commercial heights of previous albums, it debuted at number two in both the UK and Germany charts and received silver certification in the UK along with gold status in Germany. During Caroline Corr’s maternity leave, Jason Duffy temporarily took over drumming duties. The album was dedicated to their parents.

Their 2005 project Home served as a tribute to their late mother and centered on traditional Irish music by covering selections from her personal songbook to commemorate fifteen years as a band. Produced by Mitchell Froom and featuring performances by the BBC Radio 2 Orchestra, Home explored various facets of Irish musical heritage and included two tracks sung in Irish: "Bríd Óg Ní Mháille (Brigid O'Malley)" and "Buachaill Ón Éirne (Boy from Lough Erne)". The album achieved notable success in Ireland as well as reaching number five in France and number twelve in Germany, earning silver certification within the UK market.

2006–2014: Individual endeavors and compilation releases

In 2006, The Corrs took a prolonged break to prioritize family commitments and pursue individual musical paths.

Andrea Corr embarked on her solo journey with the album Ten Feet High, launched in June 2007, produced by Nellee Hooper and executive produced by Bono. The album’s lead track was "Shame on You (to Keep My Love from Me)". Her follow-up, Lifelines, a collection of cover songs, was released in May 2011, featuring "Tinseltown in the Rain" as its lead single. Sharon Corr made her solo debut in 2009 with the single "It's Not a Dream" and subsequently released her album Dream of You in September 2010, highlighted by a rendition of "Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime". She completed her sophomore solo effort, The Same Sun, by March 2012.

During this timeframe, The Corrs issued their second greatest hits compilation, Dreams: The Ultimate Corrs Collection, in November 2006. This release featured popular tracks alongside unreleased material such as "I Know My Love" with The Chieftains, plus various remixes. Despite promotional activities, it reached only number 24 on the Irish charts. In September 2007, they followed up with The Works, a three-disc anthology of previously issued songs, which did not enter the charts.

2015–2017: Comeback with White Light and Jupiter Calling

In June 2015, Andrea revealed that The Corrs would headline Live in Hyde Park on 13 November and were actively recording new material. On 17 September 2015, the band confirmed their sixth studio album, White Light, which was released on 27 November 2015 and supported by a European tour throughout 2016. Jim Corr disclosed in an interview with Music Radar that the group had finished work on their seventh studio album, Jupiter Calling. Produced by T Bone Burnett, this album was released on 10 November 2017, preceded by a performance at London's Royal Albert Hall on 19 October.

2020–present: Renewed activity and Australian touring

In 2020, Taylor Swift paid tribute to The Corrs by covering their song Breathless during a set celebrating influential female artists for Women's History Month, acknowledging them as significant inspirations.

On 26 November 2022, The Corrs reunited for their first live appearance since 2017, performing before an audience of approximately 11,000 at Hope Estate Winery in Australia's Hunter Valley. This marked their first concert in Australia in over two decades. Following this successful event, they announced an Australian and New Zealand tour scheduled for October–November 2023 and subsequently added shows in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Manila, Philippines.

Musical style and influences

Caroline Corr described their sound as "a fusion of contemporary rhythms and technology combined with acoustic instruments such as violin, tin whistle, drums, alongside vocal harmonies," which defines their unique musical identity. The Corrs’ style is predominantly categorized as a blend of pop rock and folk rock, particularly evident in their initial albums Forgiven, Not Forgotten and Talk on Corners. Andrea remarked that Talk on Corners carries "a more edgy vibe with greater emphasis on guitar and an Irish influence," similar to their debut.

With In Blue, the band shifted towards mainstream pop characterized by prominent synthesizer elements. This change received mixed critical responses—some reviewers disapproved while others regarded it as "one of the finest mainstream pop albums available." Their album Borrowed Heaven returned focus to guitar-driven sounds while retaining folk rock elements. Home delved into traditional Irish music featuring covers spanning different periods including Phil Lynott’s "Old Town" from 1982 and the ancient "Return to Fingal," included as a bonus track on select editions. The electronic style from In Blue was revisited with White Light, whereas Jupiter Calling embraced a minimalist approach emphasizing live performance with little overdubbing.

The Corrs’ musical direction was largely shaped by their parents—both musicians—who nurtured their instrumental talents. Additionally, influences from acts such as The Eagles, The Police, The Carpenters, Simon and Garfunkel, and Fleetwood Mac helped shape their melodic sensibilities and harmonic songwriting approach.

Philanthropy

Throughout their career, the Corrs have actively contributed to numerous humanitarian initiatives and emergency aid campaigns. In 1998, they took part in the Pavarotti and Friends for the Children of Liberia benefit concert held in Modena, Italy, which was organized by Luciano Pavarotti. This event aimed to finance the construction of the Liberian Children's Village and offer shelter to orphans affected by the Second Liberian Civil War. That same year, the band joined fellow musicians including Sinéad O'Connor, Van Morrison, Boyzone, U2, and Enya for a charity performance dedicated to victims of the Omagh bombing in Northern Ireland.

After their mother Jean passed away at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, the Corrs arranged a 2001 fundraising concert at the Telewest Arena, successfully raising more than £100,000 to support expansion of the hospital’s William Leech Centre focused on lung disease research. In appreciation, the city of Newcastle presented them with a limited edition artwork.

In 2004, the group appeared at a charity event benefiting The Prince's Trust, a UK-based organization aiding young people aged 14 to 30. Alongside artists such as Will Young, Avril Lavigne, and Lenny Kravitz, they helped accumulate over £1 million in donations.

The Corrs also acted as ambassadors for Nelson Mandela's "46664" initiative, performing in Cape Town in 2003 to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and support the Nelson Mandela Foundation. At Edinburgh’s Live 8 concert in 2005, they collaborated with Bono on "When the Stars Go Blue" to advocate for the Make Poverty History campaign targeting extreme poverty reduction.

In honor of their charitable efforts, Queen Elizabeth II appointed the Corrs as honorary Members of the Order of the British Empire in 2005.

Members

Andrea Corr (born 1974) – lead vocals, tin whistle, ukulele, mandolin
Caroline Corr (born 1973) – drums, percussion, bodhrán, piano, vocals
Sharon Corr (born 1970) – violin, keyboards, vocals
Jim Corr (born 1964) – guitar, piano, keyboards, vocals

By late 1995, both Anthony Drennan (lead guitar) and Keith Duffy (bass guitar) had become full-time touring and recording members. When Drennan departed in late 1997 to join a tour with Genesis, Irish guitarist Conor Brady temporarily stepped in during the Talk on Corners tour. Due to Caroline's pregnancy, Keith Duffy’s brother Jason took over drum duties for the Borrowed Heaven tour. Both Drennan and Duffy returned when the band reunited in 2015.

Discography

Studio albums

Forgiven, Not Forgotten (1995)
Talk on Corners (1997)
In Blue (2000)
Borrowed Heaven (2004)
Home (2005)
White Light (2015)
Jupiter Calling (2017)

Tours

Forgiven, Not Forgotten World Tour (1996–1997)
Talk on Corners World Tour (1997–1999)
In Blue Tour (2000–2001)
Borrowed Heaven tour (2004)
The Corrs: In Concert (2004–2005)
White Light Tour (2016)
The Corrs Down Under (2023)
Talk on Corners Tour 2024 (2024–2025)
Summer Sunshine 2025 (2025)

Grammy Awards

|- | align="center" rowspan="2"|2000 || "Breathless" || Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group || |- | "Rebel Heart" || Best Pop Instrumental Performance || |- |}

BRIT Awards

|- | align="center" | 1999 || rowspan="2"|The Corrs || rowspan="2"|Best International Group | |- | 2001 || |- |}

Meteor Music Awards

|- | 2005 | rowspan="2" | The Corrs || Best Irish Pop Act || |- | 2006 || Best Irish Band || |}

Order of the British Empire

Received honorary membership in the Order of the British Empire: 2005

External links