In this episode, we speak with Brenda Bergen, the art director behind Talk on Corners, about her creative journey and the story of shaping one of The Corrs’ most iconic visual eras.

Brenda shares the path that led from graduate school in the Midwest to New York’s entertainment industry, working with Vibe magazine, VH1, and MTV, before joining Atlantic Records as an art director.

She explains the role of art direction in music, which includes building the band’s “brand”, to capturing the essence of an album through imagery, design, and visual storytelling.

We hear the story behind the artwork for Talk on Corners: scouting Dublin locations, assembling a creative team, and collaborating with photographers Damien and Layla of Blinkk, whose layered, dreamlike imagery helped define the album’s look. Brenda discusses working with the band and management to shape the final cover, how different versions evolved and the balancing act between creative vision and commercial direction. It’s a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how Talk on Corners’s visual identity was created.

To view the early concepts for the cover artwork click HERE

Brenda was kind enough to look through her journals from 1997 and found the dates for the photo shoot for the album cover shot in Ireland between May 29th - June 3rd, 1997.

To see polaroids of Andrea taken during the photoshoot please follow the link HERE

The later PR Photoshoot in L.A. was shot on July 24th 1997 and yet more shots were taken on Sept 14th 1997.

For a more visual understanding of how Brenda adapted the fonts 'Osprey' and 'Entropy' to create the Talk on Corners era logo, click HERE

At 00:24:50 you can hear a clip of the demo of the song 'When He's Not Around'.

At 00:41:37 you can hear a clip of the early mix for the song 'Intimacy'.

Brenda mentioned a photo of her with the band which can be seen HERE

Brenda now runs Wink Design. 

More examples of the work from the wonderful photographers Damien and Leila, who shot the cover of the album, can be seen on their website: damienleiladeblinkk.com

Special thanks to Shiela Oliveros for laying out the font progression image shared with this episode. Find her incredible work on Instagram via @shielaoliveros / @thehardcorrfans

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In this episode, we speak with legendary songwriter Billy Steinberg, co-writer of Talk on Corners’ “Intimacy,” about his remarkable career and the story behind his work with The Corrs.

Billy recalls how he first discovered his passion for songwriting, from his breakthrough hit “How Do I Make You” for Linda Ronstadt, to writing some of the most iconic songs of the 1980s including Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors,” and Heart’s “Alone.”

He takes us inside the origins of the song “Intimacy,” written with Rick Nowels and Neil Giraldo for Pat Benatar before finding its way to The Corrs through David and Jaymes Foster.

Billy reflects on hearing the band’s version, the lyrical changes that surprised him, and gives us details regarding recording the track at A&M Studios with the band which included a guest appearance by David Foster on synth bass.

We also hear about his friendships with Andrea, Sharon, and Caroline Corr, the unreleased track “In Love So Deep,” and the unique experience of working with one of Ireland’s most successful groups during their rise to international fame.

At 00:10:06 you can hear a clip of the demo for 'Intimacy' created by Billy Steinberg and Rick Nowels and sung by Marc Nelson.

At 00:21:42 you can hear a clip of the unreleased song 'In Love So Deep'.

In this interview Billy mentions a photo taken by his late friend Robert Zuckerman at A&M Records, to see this image please see the link HERE. A copy of this photo is still proudly hung in Captain Americas on Grafton Street, Dublin.

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In this episode, we speak with Stacey Piersa, singer, songwriter, and performer, about her early career, creative journey so far, and the surprising path that led to her connection with The Corrs.

Stacey shares how she began writing songs as a child, her first break at just 16 when she signed to Arista Records with producer Elliott Wolff, and the whirlwind of the 1990s — from winning a BMI award to appearing on a music video for the Beverly Hills 90210 soundtrack. She reflects on the hard graft of breaking into the pre-social-media music industry, navigating record deals, and with the full support of her parents, learning the business along the way.

We discuss the full story of how she came to co write for “Love Gives, Love Takes”, working alongside her husband Elliot Wolff, and the unexpected way that session became part of the multi-million–selling album ‘Talk on Corners’.

Stacey also talks about stepping away from the spotlight, why this is her first interview in years, and how she looks back on her time in the industry today.

It’s an inspiring and candid conversation that captures both the excitement and the challenges of chasing a dream in the music business and a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of one of The Corrs’ most beloved tracks.

At 00:17:15 you can hear a clip of the demo of 'Love Gives, Love Takes' with chorus lyrics by Stacey Pierca.

At 00:26:09 you can hear a clip of the demo of 'Love Gives, Love Takes' with vocals by Robbie Brown. (Mixed by myself from the original 24 track tape transfers)

At 00:35:14 you can hear a clip of Stacey Pierca playing the piano and singing her original lyrics to 'Love Gives, Love Takes'.

To see a scan of the lyrics to 'Love Gives, Love Takes' hand written by Andrea Corr for use while developing the song in the studio with Oliver Leiber click HERE

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Elliot Wolff. More information about his incredible musical legacy can be found over at www.elliotwolff.com

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In this episode, we speak with songwriter Sean Hosein, whose credits appear on two standout tracks from Talk on Corners: “Queen of Hollywood” and “Love Gives, Love Takes.”

Sean shares the remarkable and surprising story of how these songs first came to be. From writing sessions in L.A. with Glen Ballard and Elliott Wolff to a connection through David Foster’s sister, Sean explains how demos written years earlier ended up becoming key tracks on The Corrs’ multi-platinum album—without him ever meeting the band.

We also hear about Sean’s early journey into songwriting, the grind of breaking into the publishing world, and the creative process behind co-writing with heavyweights like Steve Kipner. He gives behind-the-scenes detail on the writing and demo sessions, including how “Queen of Hollywood” was originally built around a much heavier, guitar-driven track, and how “Love Gives, Love Takes” came together in a day at a North Hollywood studio.

Packed with great anecdotes, industry insight, and a behind-the-scenes look at the global rise of Talk on Corners.

At 00:18:19 you can hear a clip of the backing track originally created for the song that would become 'Queen of Hollywood'.

At 00:25:16 you can hear a clip of the backing track for the song that would become 'Love Gives, Love Takes'.

Special thanks for this episode go to Dane DeViller

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In this episode, we have the incredible opportunity to sit down with two music legends—Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard—whose contributions have shaped some of the most iconic records of the past four decades.

Siedah Garrett shares her journey as a powerhouse vocalist and songwriter, from co-penning Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” to working with an array of world-renowned artists. She reflects on the creative force behind her songwriting, her experiences collaborating with industry giants, and some of the moments that have defined her career so far.

Glen Ballard, a producer behind era-defining albums, gives us a deep dive into his approach to music production, his role in crafting unforgettable hits, and how this all started for him from the age of four. 

This episode is packed with insights from two of the most influential figures in contemporary music. Whether you're a fan of their work or curious about the magic behind the music, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into the creative process of two extraordinary artists and their affect on The Corrs’ most successful album to date, ‘Talk on Corners’ with specific focus on the tracks ‘Queen of Hollywood’ (Where the album derives it's title) and ‘What I Know’.

At 00:21:14 you can hear a clip of the demo by Siedah and Glen for 'What I know' as played to The Corrs for consideration.

At 00:27:22 you can hear a clip of the demo of 'What I know' by The Corrs (All vocals and background vocals by Andrea).

At 00:33:50 you can hear a clip of the demo by Glen and Andrea for 'Queen of Hollywood'.

Siedah later released her own version of 'What I know' and this appears on the 2003 OmTown Records album entitled "Siedah":

A photo of a provisional running order of 'Talk on Corners' (then untitled) including 'What I know' (Originally shared by Andy Murray in Episode 17) can be seen HERE

Siedah Garrett mentioned her podcast 'The Uppity Knitter' which can be a heard HERE (Opens in Spotify)

Special thanks for this episode go to Erik Nuri, Chloe Pang and Scott Campbell.

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Quincy Jones.

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In this episode, we have the great privilege of speaking with industry veteran Leo Pearson, who played a role in shaping the sound of Talk on Corners with a production credit on the album.

Leo takes us back to where it all started—his mum’s basement —where The Corrs recorded demos that would eventually make their way onto the multi-million-selling album. He shares the unexpected journey that led him to work with the band, from experimenting with electronic music and samplers to suddenly finding himself recording a band, engineering, and programming for one of the biggest pop acts of the era.

Leo recounts some of the creative process behind key tracks, his experience working with the band, and the whirlwind energy of their manager, John Hughes. He also reveals the difficulties of getting his recordings into the hands of legendary producer David Foster, just one of the many challenges the band faced in translating demos into polished album tracks.

We hear firsthand about the evolving music industry of the late ’90s, the intersection of traditional and electronic sounds, and the lessons Leo carried forward into his career. Packed with behind-the-scenes stories and insights plus clips of unused demo songs, this episode gives greater insights into the music we have loved for decades. 

At 00:14:09 you can hear a clip of the song '23'.

At 00:19:52 you can hear a clip of the demo mix for 'Little Wing'.

At 00:26:36 you can hear a clip of the first demo version of 'Radio'.

At 00:31:51 you can hear a clip of the demo for 'What Can I Do'.

At 00:39:24 you can hear a clip of the demo for 'Remember'.

At 00:45:35 you can hear a clip of 'Paddy McCarthy'.

At 00:52:36 you can hear a clip of the song 'Uncanny'.

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In this groundbreaking episode, we delve into the untold story of how The Corrs meticulously crafted their unique sound—a sound that would ultimately capture the hearts of millions. Featuring exclusive, never-before-heard demo recordings from their early years, revealing the deliberate steps the band took to refine their blend of Irish folk with contemporary pop and rock.

This is more than just a look back—it's an unprecedented opportunity to hear The Corrs’ creative process as they shaped their signature sound. Using decades of meticulously archived interview recordings and painstakingly digitally restored demos to elaborate the narrative, this episode provides an intimate glimpse into their artistic development and unwavering determination to succeed.

Part one covers the band’s initial two years of development - from publishing deal to demos.

At 00:04:26 You can hear the Demo for the song The Beat Lives On

At 00:10:27 You can hear the Demo for the song All Over

At 00:15:32 You can hear the Demo for the song Sióg

At 00:22:27 You can hear the Demo for the song Mystery Of You

At 00:25:50 You can hear the Demo for the song Dreams

At 00:31:03 You can hear the Demo for the song Stay With Me

At 00:36:07 You can hear the Demo for the song Dreaming

At 00:40:05 You can hear the Demo for the song Really Over

Interview Credits:

GMTV, BareFoot Pilgrimage, Take 40 Radio, Radio Ulsters, All The Way Home, Today TV, RTE - An Eye On The Music, The Road To Riverdance, Life Interrupted Podcast, Planet Rock Profiles, Talk On Corners Documentary, My Roots Are Showing Podcast, The Making Of The Commitments, The One & Only 2000, Johnny Hero Downtown Radio, Sonic Radio, CorrsCast Episode 11, CNN, Kelly Show Live, Absolute Corrs, The Corrs In Conversation, FNF Spanish EPK, Live On Austereo Network Radio - Hour Of Power, Gathering History Podcast, Sky News - Fleadh Interview 99, Something Else In The Meantime, Undercover - Rock on Multimedia. 

With special thanks to Jess Lai

Also thanks to Damon Bell who listened encouragingly when this project was only in my imagination and John Cameron for the example of how I could share my love for this music.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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In this special episode, we delve into the personal experiences of fans from around the world who came together to attend multiple shows of the band’s most recent 2024 tour of Ireland and the UK.

This episode features guests from different corners of the globe: Francisco from Mexico, Wendy and Rachel from Australia, Darren from New Zealand, Ivo from Brazil, Rosa from Peru, and Taliya from South Africa. Each guest shares their unique perspective on what The Corrs' music means to them, from its power to evoke nostalgia to its ability to inspire connection and community. Whether it’s bonding with strangers at concerts or exchanging stories online, the common thread is the deep love and appreciation for the band.

Highlight moments include discussions on how their music has affected fans' lives, the friendships forged over shared experiences, and a gig like no other in Glasgow with Sharon Corr unable to attend.

Tune in for an emotional, joyous celebration of the global fan community created by The Corrs' music.

At 00:36:16 you can hear a live clip of 'Don't Say You Love Me' at the Sheffield leg of this tour on November 18th 2024.

At 01:14:02 you can hear a live clip of 'What Can I Do?' at the Manchester leg of this tour on November 11th 2024.

At 02:01:23 you can hear a live clip of 'Lough Erin Shore' at the Glasgow leg of this tour which happened on November 17th 2024 with Éadaoin Ní Mhaicín on violin instead of Sharon.

At 02:33:32 you can hear a live clip of fans singing along during the band's performance of 'Runaway' at the Birmingham leg of the tour on November 14th 2024.

At 03:08:56 you can hear fans singing and celebrating together after the Glasgow gig on November 17th 2024.

An image of the setlist can be seen HERE

An image of fans together in the snow after the gig in Sheffield can be seen HERE

A photo of fans on the row while in Newcastle can be seen HERE

Ivo's instagram is @ivoknightcorr or alternatively @fanaticorrs

Taliya's Instagram can be found @taidoo4

Rosa's Instagram is @thecorrs_peru

Rachel Lewis' Instagram can be found @rachellewisphotography

Francisco Salinas' Instagram is @fcosalinas3

Wendy Lang's Instagram can be found @wendylangmusic

Darrens Instagram can be found @dazmendonsa

Kristines can be found on Instagram @chefcancio

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Please note: The audio quality of this episode has been compromised, due to its runtime.

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In this episode, we have a first for the podcast, a returning guest! We again have the great privilege of talking with industry veteran Andy Murray, who was the European Marketing Director for Warner Music International during The Corrs' rise to fame.

Andy recounts the challenges the band faced in the album's gestation period, from the initial recording of demo tracks to navigating the complex dynamics with their American label, Atlantic Records. He shares how he fought to ensure key songs like "So Young" and "What Can I Do" were included, despite some resistance, ultimately helping shape the album's final track list.

We hear firsthand of the technical and creative decisions that went into the album’s success and details of the involvement of producers, David Foster and Glenn Ballard, as well as personal anecdotes - from the band gifting him a rare guitar to the making of some of the the album's iconic music videos. Andy shares insights that shed new light on the high-stakes environment of breaking an international act in the late 90s.

At 00:09:27 you can hear a clip of the March 1997 Demo of 'What Can I Do' with as then, unfinished lyrics. Andrea can be heard to sing about 'Johnny' referring to the bands manager John Hughes who was no doubt watching her put down these vocals.

At 00:32:51 you can hear the backing vocals for 'Helpless' (Hopelessly Addicted) sung by Andrea and layered by Oliver Leiber from the master recorded on 7th August 1997.

At 00:43:04 you can hear a clip of the band's first ever live performance of Fleetwood Mack's 'Dreams' at Melkweg in Amsterdam on the 18th of November 1997.

At 00:52:58 you can hear the beginning of 'What Can I Do?' as heard in the music video.

At 01:09:38 you can 'Runaway' Tin Tin Out Remix as heard in the music video.

At 01:29:03 you can hear a clip of 'Help Me Find My Heart’ produced by Andy Murray and Mike Gaffey for consideration by The Corrs for 'Talk on Corners'.

In this episode Andy describes being gifted a limited edition Fender Stratocaster guitar by the band after the gig at the NEC in Birmingham on December 22nd 1998. An image of this wonderful gift can be found at the following link HERE.

Andy also describes receiving a fax from Emma Hill (PA to John Hughes and the band) with a provisional running order of the songs for 'Talk on Corners', this can be seen HERE.

Andy also shared with us a promotional poster which was ultimately unapproved by the band but was considered for early promotion of the Royal Albert Hall release on VHS and DVD, a link to this can be found HERE.

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In this episode, we speak with producer Oliver Leiber and begin our exploration into the making of The Corrs’' second album, Talk on Corners. Oliver, known for his work with a range of successful artists such as Paula Abdul and Sheena Easton shares unique insights from the production of this beloved album. Ranging from the technical aspects of recording to the personal dynamics in the studio, Oliver offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at songs that inspired him and how some of the album's most memorable tracks came to be.

A link to images of hand written lyrics to the songs 'Hawaiian High' (Only When I Sleep), 'Love Give and Love Takes' can be seen HERE.

A link to images of the dated recording masters produced by Oliver can be seen HERE.

At 00:22:50 you can hear a clip of 'Staring At The Sun' by 'U2'. This track inspired Oliver to write an early version of the song that eventually became 'Only When I Sleep'.

At 00:29:23 you can hear a clip of the demo for 'Only When I Breath' by Oliver Leiber and John Shanks as handed to Caroline and Sharon.

At 00:39:59 you can hear a clip of the 'Hopelessly Addicted' (Working title 'Helpless') work-tape in which Andrea and Oliver can be heard creating the lyrics and melody for the song.

At 00:44:05 you can hear a clip of 'Love In The Milky Way'.

At 00:51:41 you can hear a clip of the original version of 'Dreams' as recorded on 13/01/98 by Oliver for consideration on 'Legacy: A Tribute to Feetwood Mac's Rumours' album.

At 00:55:43 you can hear a clip of 'Wrong' by 'Everything But The Girl' remixed by Todd Terry. This inspired Oliver when producing a less faithful version of 'Dreams'.

At 01:07:45 you can hear a clip of the March 97 demo for the song 'So Young'.

At 01:26:58 you can hear a clip of 'World Without You' as recorded by Trine Rein. Originally written and produced by Oliver for consideration by The Corrs.

The 'Hawaiian High' incense which inspired Andrea while writing in her room at the Georgian hotel (1415 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90401) can be sourced from the company Triloka HERE

Special thanks on this episode go to Jessica Kennedy of Windrose Trading and also Rachel Lewis for her continued support and friendship.

Extra special thanks goes to Barry Rudolph for mixing down the digitised masters from the original recordings he made in the studio with the band in 1997.

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