Andrea Corr
Template:Short description Template:Good article Template:Use Hiberno-English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox musical artist Andrea Jane Corr (born 17 May 1974) is an Irish musician and actress. Corr debuted in 1990 as the lead singer of the Celtic folk rock and pop rock group the Corrs along with her three elder siblings Caroline, Sharon and Jim. Aside from singing lead vocals, Corr plays the tin whistle, the mandolin, the ukulele and the piano.<ref name="Divas">Template:Cite web</ref>
With the others, Corr has released seven studio albums, two compilation albums, one remix album and two live albums. Corr has also pursued a solo career, releasing her debut album, Ten Feet High, in 2007.<ref name="Hiatus">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Solo">Template:Cite web</ref> The album moved away from the sound of the Corrs and features a dance-pop sound.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Her next album, released on 30 May 2011, was entirely made up of covers of songs that were important to her when younger.
Corr is involved in charitable activities. She has played charity concerts to raise money for the Pavarotti & Friends Liberian Children's Village, Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, the victims of the Omagh bombing in Northern Ireland and the Prince's Trust in 2004.<ref name="Liberia">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="news1">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="archives1">Template:Cite web</ref> She is an ambassador for the Nelson Mandela's "46664" campaign, raising awareness towards AIDS in Africa.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During the Edinburgh Live 8 on 2 July 2005 The Corrs performed "When the Stars Go Blue" alongside Bono to promote the Make Poverty History campaign.<ref name="thelive1">Template:Cite web</ref> Along with her siblings, she was appointed an honorary M.B.E. in 2005 by Queen Elizabeth II for her contribution to music and charity.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Early years
Andrea Corr was born to Gerry Corr, a supervisor of a payroll unit of the Irish Electricity Supply Board (the E.S.B.), and his wife, Jean, a housewife. She is the youngest of the five Corr children.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Older brother Gerard was killed when he was only three years old in a road accident before she and her sister Caroline were born. Andrea discussed the devastating death with Ryan Tubridy on The Late Late Show aired by RTÉ Entertainment.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The family was raised in Dundalk, Ireland.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Gerry and Jean had their own band, Sound Affair, which played songs by ABBA and The Eagles in local pubs in Dundalk where they would often bring along their children.<ref name="Hello">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
With the encouragement of her parents, Andrea took up the tin whistle and was taught the piano by her father. Throughout their teenage years, she and her siblings would often practice in Jim's bedroom at a house he had rented. Andrea sang lead vocals, Sharon played the violin and both Caroline and Jim played keyboards.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Andrea took part in school plays at her school, Dundalk's Dun Lughaidh Convent.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Career
The Corrs
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In 1990, Corr and her siblings formed a quartet called The Corrs.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Their career launched in 1991 when they auditioned for the film The Commitments in which Andrea gained a speaking role as Sharon Rabbitte.<ref name="thecommitments1">Template:Cite web</ref> John Hughes noticed the quartet when they auditioned for the movie, and agreed to become their manager.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Corrs signed with Atlantic Records in 1995 and travelled to North America to record their debut album Forgiven, Not Forgotten. The album featured six instrumental selections among its Celtic-influenced tracks. When released, it was successful in Ireland, Australia, Japan, and Spain. The album reached platinum status in the United Kingdom and Australia, and quadruple platinum in Ireland, which made it one of the most popular debuts by an Irish group.<ref>Forgiven, Not Forgotten UK Certification Template:Webarchive. The BPI. 15 January 1999. Retrieved 14 July 2007.</ref><ref>Forgiven, Not Forgotten Australian Certification. ARIA. Retrieved 14 July 2007.</ref><ref name="VH1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Msn">Template:Cite web</ref>
Following on from the success of their debut album, they released Talk on Corners and In Blue in 1997 and 2000 respectively.<ref name="Band">Template:Cite web</ref> Originally Talk on Corners met with lukewarm success, until a remix version was released, when it topped the charts in many countries, and reached platinum status in the United Kingdom and Australia.<ref>Talk on Corners UK Certification Template:Webarchive. The BPI. 1 April 1999. Retrieved 14 July 2007.</ref><ref>Talk on Corners Australian Certification. ARIA. Retrieved 14 July 2007.</ref> In Blue moved towards mainstream pop, placing heavy emphasis on electronic synthesisers. It was successful, and was No. 1 in its first sales week in the UK, Ireland, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria and debuted at No. 2 in France and Norway. It climbed to the top position during its second week in Sweden and Spain.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
During the production of In Blue, their mother, Jean, died while waiting for a lung transplant in the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, UK.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> She was laid to rest at St. Patrick's cemetery in Dundalk. Bono, Larry Mullen, Brian Kennedy and Paul Brady were among the attendees.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> "No More Cry", written by Andrea and Caroline Corr for the album, was dedicated to their father hoping to help with his grief.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2003, Andrea recorded "Time Enough For Tears", a song written by Bono and Gavin Friday for the film In America.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This track was featured on The Corrs' 2004 album Borrowed Heaven.<ref name="Uma">Template:Cite web</ref> Borrowed Heaven was dedicated to their late mother, Jean, and their father, Gerry.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band also dedicated their 2005 tribute album Home to their deceased mother.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band covered many traditional Irish songs taken from their mother's songbook to commemorate their 15 years as a band.<ref name="Fingal">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In an interview with Chris Evans in June 2015, Andrea confirmed that The Corrs were working on a new album and would play the BBC Radio 2 'Live in Hyde Park' festival.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Their sixth studio album, White Light,<ref name="independent.co.uk">Template:Cite news</ref> was released on 27 November 2015, and was accompanied by a world tour.
In 2017 they released their latest album to date Jupiter Calling, produced by T-Bone Burnett.
Solo career
While her siblings were on hiatus to raise their families, Andrea launched a solo career. She released her first album, Ten Feet High, on 25 June 2007. It was produced by Nellee Hooper, who has worked with Gwen Stefani and Madonna; Bono was an executive producer.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Her first single, "Shame on You" was an up-tempo pop song about men and women going to war and leaving behind partners they may never see again.<ref name="review">Singles of the Week (18 June 2007). indielondon.co.uk. 18 June 2007. Retrieved 21 June 2007.</ref> It received positive reviews from music critics; IndieLondon described the song as a "slick package" that was "polished, well produced and with a message that's difficult to ignore".<ref name="review"/> Losing Today's David Adair gave the song a strong review, writing that Corr's vocals were "crisp and uplifting".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Liverpool's Daily Post gave the song a three-star rating, commenting that it was "deceptively upbeat", which masked its "heavier message about conscription and war".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2011 she released her second solo album Lifelines. This album contains covers of song by the likes John Lennon, Donna Summer, The Velvet Underground and more.
In 2020 she released an EP called Christmas Songs. The EP contains 4 classical Christmas songs and one original song titled Begin Again.
In 2025, Corr participated in the sixth series of The Masked Singer as "Snail". She was eliminated in the sixth episode alongside Grayson Perry as "Kingfisher".
Acting
Andrea Corr entered the film industry in 1991 with Alan Parker's film The Commitments, in which she had a speaking part as Sharon Rabbitte.<ref name="thecommitments1"/> In 1996, Parker was directing the film version of the rock opera Evita which starred Madonna. He was so keen on having Corr in the film that he cast her as Juan Peron's mistress, where she performed part of "Hello and Goodbye".<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref> Corr provided the singing voice for Kayley, opposite Bryan White (Garrett) in Warner Brothers' first fully animated film, 1998's The Quest for Camelot.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite book</ref>
Corr resumed her acting career in 2003 where she was cast as Anne in The Boys from County Clare.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref> The film was not a commercial success, but she won the Film Discovery Jury Award for Best Actress in the US Comedy Arts Festival and was nominated for Best Actress in the IFTA Awards. During the Corrs' hiatus she was featured in the 2005 film The Bridge and the 2006 film Broken Thread.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Corr appeared as Christina in the play Dancing at Lughnasa staged at The Old Vic theatre in London from February until May 2009.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
She played the title role in Jane Eyre by Alan Stanford at the Gate Theatre in Dublin which opened on 9 November 2010.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref>
Book
In 2018 she wrote and released a book, titled Barefoot Pilgrimage. In this she writes about her youth, the warmth of her family, and about The Corrs.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Charitable activities
Andrea Corr and her siblings have played charity concerts to raise money for the Pavarotti & Friends Liberian Children's Village, Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, the victims of the Omagh bombing in Northern Ireland, and The Prince's Trust in 2004.<ref name="Liberia"/><ref name="news1"/><ref name="archives1"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They are also ambassadors for the Nelson Mandela's "46664" campaign, where they performed live to raise awareness towards AIDS in Africa.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During the Edinburgh Live 8 on 2 July 2005 The Corrs performed "When the Stars Go Blue" alongside Bono to promote the Make Poverty History campaign.<ref name="thelive1"/> In recognition for their charity performances, The Corrs were made Honorary Members of the Order of the British Empire in 2005 by Queen Elizabeth II.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Corr also partook in a tribute single to the late member of The Dubliners, Ronnie Drew, called "The Ballad of Ronnie Drew."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The song was released on 19 February 2008 and was performed by a number of famous Irish musicians. This included members of U2, Sinéad O'Connor, Christy Dignam of Aslan, Robert Hunter of the Grateful Dead, who wrote the song, Kíla, Christy Moore, Moya Brennan, Shane MacGowan, Bob Geldof, Damien Dempsey, Gavin Friday, Iona Green, Jerry Fish, Paul Brady, Paddy Casey, Mick Pyro, Mundy, Chris de Burgh, Ronan Keating, Jack L, Eleanor Shanley, Mary Black, Declan O'Rourke, Mary Coughlan, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard, The Dubliners themselves and The Chieftains. The single was written to originally include Ronnie himself but was changed to be a tribute to him as his health was declining. Proceeds from sale of the single went to The Irish Cancer Society at the request of Drew himself. The song was performed live on The Late Late Show aired by RTÉ Entertainment<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> on 22 February with Ronnie Drew in attendance as an audience member, and entered the Irish Single Charts at No. 2.
On 10 October 2010, Corr, amongst others, contributed to the Kirsty MacColl tribute concert held at Shepherd's Bush Empire to commemorate MacColl's birthday and raise money for charity. She also wrote and sang the song "Oh Brother" on the album Music of Ireland – Welcome Home.
On 30 November 2012, Corr lent her support to Kate Winslet's Golden Hat Foundation together with Tim Janis, Sarah McLachlan, Loreena McKennitt, Hayley Westenra, performing on "The American Christmas Carol" concert in Carnegie Hall.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Personal life
Corr married Brett Desmond on August 21, 2009.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Sharon Corr and Caroline Corr sang "No Frontiers" at the wedding, and Damien Dempsey, Sharon Shannon, Seamus Begley, and Corr herself also performed on stage in the church.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In November 2011, Corr's pregnancy was announced.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Corr gave birth to a daughter on 28 April 2012,<ref name="Independent">Template:Cite news</ref> and a son on 4 January 2014.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Discography
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Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRE | IRE Indie | AUS <ref name="ARIA">Template:Cite Ryan</ref> |
FRA | GER | NLD | SPA | SWI | UK | ||
| Ten Feet High |
|
24 | – | 98 | 128 | 86 | 84 | 9 | 42 | 38 |
| Lifelines |
|
40 | 9 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 48 |
| The Christmas Album |
|
72 <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
– | – | – | – | – | – | – | 32 |
Extended plays
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Christmas Songs |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRE | SPA | UK | |||
| "All I Have to Do Is Dream" (with Laurent Voulzy) | 2006 | – | – | – | La Septième Vague |
| "Shame on You" | 2007 | 43 | 20 | 108 | Ten Feet High |
| "Champagne from a Straw" | – | – | – | ||
| "Tinseltown in the Rain"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 2011 | – | – | – | Lifelines |
| "Pale Blue Eyes" / "Blue Bayou" | – | – | – | ||
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | The Commitments | Sharon Rabbitte<ref name="thecommitments1" /> |
| 1996 | Evita | Juan Peron's mistress<ref name=":0" /> |
| 1998 | Quest for Camelot | Kayley (singing voice)<ref name=":1" /> |
| 2003 | The Boys from County Clare | Anne<ref name=":2" /> |
| 2005 | The Bridge | Mary |
| 2006 | Broken Thread | Lily |
| 2009 | Pictures | Donna |
Stage roles
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Jane Eyre The Gate Theatre | Jane Eyre |
| 2009 | Dancing at Lughnasa The Old Vic theatre | Christina "Chris" Mundy |
References
Further reading
- Cornwell, Jane, The Corrs, London: Virgin Publishing Ltd. Template:ISBN
- Gaster, Paul, The Corrs: 'Corner To Corner, Andre Deutsch Ltd. Template:ISBN
- Nichols, Todd, The Corrs 'Their Music, Their Lives, Their Legacy, Blackhall Publishing Ltd. Template:ISBN
External links
- Pages with broken file links
- 1974 births
- Living people
- Actresses from County Louth
- Atlantic Records artists
- Honorary members of the Order of the British Empire
- Irish film actresses
- Irish stage actresses
- Irish tin whistle players
- Irish voice actresses
- Irish women pianists
- Irish women singers
- Musicians from County Louth
- People educated at St Louis Secondary School, Dundalk
- People from Dundalk
- The Corrs members
- 20th-century Irish actresses
- 20th-century Irish pianists
- 21st-century Irish pianists
- 1990s in Irish music
- 2000s in Irish music
- 2010s in Irish music
- 2020s in Irish music