Written by The Corrs

February 2016 marks the twentieth anniversary of the release of The Corrs’ single “Forgiven, Not Forgotten.” This catchy mid-tempo was the title track and second international release from the Irish band’s debut cd that was produced with immense class by David Foster. “Forgiven, Not Forgotten” was written by the four talented siblings, Jim, Andrea, Sharon and Caroline Corr.

The tune became a #1 hit in Ireland , a Top 15 hit in Australia and reached the Top 40 in Canada thus building up The Corrs’ reputation even more as the next big thing in pop music. The song was extremely refined in its arrangement that greatly benefited from Andrea Corrs’ gorgeous vocals on the verses and the group’s superior harmonies on the ear-candy refrain. There were tasteful touches of traditional Irish music with their trademark use of violin and tin whistle plus the expert guitar playing by session ace Michael Thompson. The production by the Hitman was immaculate. He led the young band with a respectful hand on their music and arrangements while fueling his expertise into their vocals causing a very pleasing sonic result. Strangely enough, “Forgiven, Not Forgotten” had radio-friendly appeal, but wasn’t released in the US . The first single, “Runaway,” was a minor pop and adult contemporary hit and was followed in the US by “The Right Time,” another breezy pop ditty that performed well internationally, but didn’t see commercial luck in America . The Forgiven, Not Forgotten album eventually became a smash hit with gold and platinum sales around the globe. In 1997, The Corrs’ second cd, Talk On Corners, zoomed to #1 on the UK chart, while, at the same time, Forgiven Not Forgotten made it to #2, a feat previously only achieved by The Beatles.

 After a ten years hiatus, The Corrs reformed in the fall of 2015 and released a new album entitled White Light.  The new album showcased the group’s irresistible mix of classic pop music and traditional Irish sounds.

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Lead vocals & Tin Whistle : Andrea Corr
Keyboards & Vocals: Jim Corr
Additional Keyboards: David Foster
Violin & Vocals: Sharon Corr
Drums, Bodhràn & Vocals : Caroline Corr
Guitars: Michael Thompson & Jim Corr
Keyboards & Synthesizers Programming: Jim Corr
Synclavier Programming: Simon Franglen
Arranged by Jim Corr
Additional Arrangement by David Foster

Produced by David Foster

Co-Produced by Jim Corr

Lyrics

All alone
Staring out
Watching her life going by
When her days are grey and her nights are black
Different shades of mundane
And the one eyed furry toy that lies upon the bed has often heard her cry
And heard her whisper out a name long forgiven but not forgotten

You’re forgiven not forgotten
You’re forgiven not forgotten
You’re forgiven not forgotten
You’re not forgotten

A bleeding heart torn apart
Left on an icy grave in their room where they once lay face to face
And nothing could get in the way
But now the memories of a man are haunting her days
And the craving never fades
She’s still dreaming of a man long forgiven but not forgotten

You’re forgiven not forgotten
You’re forgiven not forgotten
You’re forgiven not forgotten
You’re not forgotten

Still alone
Staring on
Wishing her life goodbye
As she goes searching for the man long forgiven but not forgotten

You’re forgiven not forgotten
You’re forgiven not forgotten
You’re forgiven not forgotten
You’re forgiven not forgotten

You’re forgiven not forgotten
You’re forgiven not forgotten
You’re forgiven not forgotten
You’re forgiven not forgotten

You’re not forgotten
You’re not forgotten
No
You’re not forgotten

written by The Corrs

After the good performance of their debut album “Forgiven Not Forgotten,” Irish family group The Corrs went back in the studio to work on their sophomore release. The results saw the light of day in the fall of 1997 with the release of “Talk On Corners.” That album ended up selling over five million copies in Europe and established The Corrs as a worldwide household name. David Foster, who produced “Forgiven Not Forgotten,” was again on board producing a few tracks and overseeing the whole project.

The first single, released in October 1997, was a catchy pop/rock ballad entitled “Only When I Sleep.” Well produced by Oliver Leiber and co-written by noted rock songwriter John Shanks, “Only When I Sleep” is a radio-friendly, guitar-driven tune that efficiently showcases The Corrs’ famous vocal harmonies in a harmless, mainstream rock arrangement.

As we said, Foster produced several interesting songs including the second single, “I Never Loved You Anyway.” Foster also produced an unknown goody and gorgeous ballad titled “Remember.” Although it didn’t make the album, “Remember” became the b-side of “Only When I Sleep.” Written by The Corrs, “Remember” is impeccably produced and Foster put the Irish group in a refined musical environment while giving Andrea and her siblings a perfect tool to shine vocally and instrumentally. “Remember” also sports a catchy refrain and with these qualities should have deserved to be included on the album. It did make the final cut, but only as a bonus track on the Japanese edition of “Talk On Corners.” Listen to this song as a reminder of the quality of The Corrs’ repertoire and especially their superior vocal blend.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/remember.mp3|titles=Remember|artists=The Corrs]

Lead Vocals: Andrea Corr
Vocals, Guitar & Keyboards: Jim Corr
Vocals & Violin: Sharon Corr
Vocals, Drums & Bodhran: Caroline Corr
Keyboards: David Foster

Produced by David Foster
Co-Produced by The Corrs

Lyrics

I see you in my memory
As vivid as today
And I wonder do you see me
In that same familiar way
Ohhh…, another place, another time
We’ll meet again and you’ll be mine,
Ohhh…, ’cause nothing can compare to you and I

Wasn’t it true do you remember like I do
(Wasn’t it true or is it)
All tainted in your view
Could I be just a dream or two
(Wasn’t it true)
Oh, if I knew

Now I know it was so special
(Every single way)
Every single way, yeah, yeah
You know I’d go right back there
(Take me back today)
If you take me back today
‘Cause I know there’s no one to replace you in my mind

Wasn’t it true do you remember like I do
(Wasn’t it true or is it)
All tainted in your view
Could I be just a dream or two
(Wasn’t it true)
Oh, if I knew

Do you remember…
Oh I remember…
Do you remember…
(Do you remember, Do you remember, Do you remember)
Oh I remember
(Do you remember, Do you remember, Do you remember)

True, remember like I do
(Wasn’t it true or is it)
Tainted in your view
Just a dream or two
(Wasn’t it true)
Away from you

Wasn’t it true, so true, remember like I do, I do
(Wasn’t it true, or is it all)
Tainted in you’re view
Could I be just a dream or two
(Wasn’t it true)
Away from you
Do you remember…
(True, Remember like I do)
Oh I remember…
(Wasn’t it true, or is it tainted in your view)
(Just a dream or too)
Oh I remember…
(Wasn’t it true)
(True, remember like I do)
(Wasn’t it true, or is it)
Tainted in your view
Just a dream or two…

[Fade out]

The Corrs have been one of the most successful discoveries of David Foster’s career. Foster signed them to his 143 Records label in 1995 and subsequently produced their triumphant debut album, “Forgiven Not Forgotten.” He also had a strong hand in developing their 1997 sophomore release, “Talk On Corners,” which finally established them as worldwide stars. The super producer gave more visibility to the group with some guest appearances on other important projects including the soundtrack for the animated movie, “The Quest For Camelot” and the multi-platinum debut album of Josh Groban, another young Foster star. On their third record, “In Blue,” The Corrs chose another hot producer, Mutt Lange, and kept building their road to super stardom with more hit singles like “Breathless.” In 2001, the group published their first greatest hits compilation, “The Best Of The Corrs,” that included previous Foster-produced hits like “Runaway” and “I Never Loved You Anyway.” A couple of unreleased songs were added to the track list including, “Make You Mine,” from the “Talk On Corners” sessions in Malibu with David Foster. This cute pop ditty was co-written by the Canadian super producer with the four siblings and is another fine example of their unique blend of traditional Irish music with contemporary pop sounds. “The Best Of The Corrs” quickly sold multi-millions worldwide.

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[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/make_you_mine.mp3|titles=Make you mine|artists=The Corrs]

Performed by The Corrs
Keyboards: David Foster
Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

Wondering, waiting for the day to fade away
So I can hold you once again and chase the fears away
Lie with me
Show me how you feel
I’m falling for you deeper everyday
When the night turns over
I’ll lie with you
When the morning wakes you
I’m there by you
When the daylight takes you
I’ll miss you
Til you come back home to me
And I can make you mine oh mine
Wanting you
Every waking moment I’m on fire – I’m on fire –
Always needing you
I’m aching for you only I’ll never tire
Promise me
This is how we’ll be
I’m falling deeper everyday
When the night turns over I’ll lie with you
When the morning wakes you
I’m there by you
When the daylight takes you
I’ll miss you til you come back home to me
When you come back home to me
I’ll break you
I’ll chase you
You’ll find that you can’t stand to be away
Not for a day – not for a day… –
Oh and when life defies you
I’ll be the soul
You’ll never go astray…
And you’ll be mine, mine, mine, mine, mine…
– Fly with me, loose reality –
I’m falling deeper everyday
So when the night turns over
I’ll lie with you
And when the morning wakes you
I’m there for you
When the daylight takes you
I’ll miss you
Til you come back home to me
And I can make you mine
When the night turns over
I’ll lie with you
When the morning wakes you
I’m there by you
When the daylight takes you
I’ll miss you til you come back home to me
And I can make you mine, mine, mine, oh mine
Oh mine…

Animated movies like “The Lion King” and “The Little Mermaid” were huge successes at the end of the 90s. Warner Brothers conceived “The Quest For Camelot” in an attempt to rival Disney’s leadership in the very strategic kids’ movie niche. They enlisted famous actors like Pierce Brosnan, Gabriel Byrne, Gary Oldman and Jane Seymour to lend their voices to the project. WB commissioned David Foster and Carole Bayer Sager to write songs for the movie and hired big names like Leann Rimes, Céliné Dion and Steve Perry to perform the songs. Foster and Bayer Sager co-wrote a delicious set of music perfectly crafted for the movie’s demographic audience. There’s a sweet love song, “Looking Through Your Eyes,” that is presented in three different versions performed respectively by Rimes, Foster doing a lovely instrumental, and The Corrs in a brilliant duet with Bryan White. This tune has a beautiful melody and is very tender. Each respective performance and arrangement is top notch. One absolute high point is Andrea Corr’s vocal; she’s really an outstanding singer in the tradition of a pure pop songbird like Karen Carpenter.
Two other superstars, Dion and Andrea Bocelli, shine on the most famous song included on this collection, “The Prayer.” This moving anthem won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Academy Award. “The Prayer” is a classic song that has subsequently been covered at least a dozen times in just a few years.
There are two special appearances by former Journey front man, Steve Perry. He does an exceptional job with his commanding tenor voice, especially on the power ballad “I Stand Alone.” The soundtrack also contains a couple of different and funny moments sung by Oldman, Don Rickle and Eric Idle that are obviously more effective in the movie.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/looking_through_your_eyes.mp3|titles=Looking through your eyes|artists=The Corrs & Bryan White]

Performed by The Corrs & Bryan White
Keyboards: David Foster
Synth Programmed by Simon Franglen & Felipe Elgueta
Tin Whistle: Andrea Corr
Violin: Sharon Corr
Orchestra arranged by Patrick Doyle, James Shearman & Lawrence Ashmore
Arranged by David Foster
Produced by David Foster & Carole Bayer Sager

Lyrics

Look at the sky
Tell me what do you see
Just close your eyes
And describe it to me
The heavens are sparkling
With starlight tonight
That’s what I see
Through your eyes

I see the heavens
Each time that you smile
I hear your heartbeat
Just go on for miles
And suddenly I know
My life is worth while
That’s what I see
Through your eyes

::chorus:::
Here in the night
I see the sun
Here in the dark
Our two hearts are one
It’s out of our hands
We can’t stop what we have begun
And love just took me by surprise
Looking through your eyes

I look at myself
And instead I see us
Whoever I am now
It feels like enough
And I see a girl
Who is learning to trust
That’s who I see through your eyes

(–::chorus::–)

And there are some things we don’t know
Sometimes a heart just needs to grow
And there is so much I’ll remember
Underneath the open sky with you forever

(–::chorus::–)

“Forgiven Not Forgotten,” released in 1995, was the debut album by The Corrs. And what an incredible start it was for them! These four talented siblings took the international music world by the storm. They had a lot of help from David Foster, who produced this record and gave their music his special treatment. The super-producer was smart enough not to overshadow their very personal blend of traditional Irish music and pop with his most typical sounds. He “simply” polished their original demos and added some clever arrangements to make them perfect for listeners around the globe. Foster also added a little edge to some of the tunes like “Someday,” which he co-wrote with the group. It is a very good, up-tempo tune that mixes The Corrs’ harmonies and traditional instruments, especially Sharon’s violin, with some tasty pop/rock, guitar-driven music plus Foster’s unmistakable piano. “Forgiven Not Forgotten” is full of nice moments like the classy title track, the delicate “Closer,” and the hit ballad “Runaway.” Andrea Corr adds some mighty fine vocal performances throughout the album. There’s also a special appearance by drummer Simon Philips and bassist Neil Stubenhaus on the enthralling “Toss The Feathers.” The final overall result is pure pop pleasure.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/someday.mp3|titles=Someday|artists=The Corrs]

Lead Vocals & Tin Whistle: Andrea Corr
Guitars: Michael Thompson & Jim Corr
Keyboards & Synthesizers: Jim Corr & David Foster
Violin: Sharon Corr
Drums: Caroline Corr
Backing Vocals: Andrea, Sharon & Caroline Corr.
Arranged by Jim Corr & David Foster
Produced by David Foster
Co-Produced by Jim Corr

Lyrics

Fragments of our love
That’s all we have
What we had was fantasy
Dreams and photographs
Hypnotic melodies
Could sing our song
A comfortable rhythm
In a comfortless room

(How do you know when love is gone)
There’s so much more within me
(How do you know the passion’s gone)
I know I just don’t feel it
(How do you know when love is gone)
Oh baby
(How do you know the passion’s gone)
I know we have to move along

(Someday you’ll forget me)
Someday you’ll forget me
(Someday you’ll forget me)
Someday you’ll forget me

A fragrant memory
Is soon to fade
We lived a love of make-believe
Dreams and fairytales
Now we say goodbye
Habitual romance
A rose without her petals
And a song without a dance

(How do you know when love is gone)
There’s so much more within me
(How do you know the passion’s gone)
I know I just don’t feel it
(How do you know when love is gone)
Oh baby
(How do you know the passion’s gone)
I know we have to move along

(Someday you’ll forget me)
Someday you’ll forget me
(Someday you’ll forget me)
Someday you’ll forget me

(How do you know when love is gone)
There’s so much more within me
(How do you know the passion’s gone)
I know we have to move along…

(Someday you’ll forget me)
Someday you’ll forget me
(Someday you’ll forget me)
Someday you’ll forget me

Fade out