Their name comes from a term that refers to Indian immigrants that move to England, in that they often own street corner stores. Their music is a fusion of Indian music, British indie rock, and electronic dance.
In 1997, Cornershop shot into the UK charts with the song 'Brimful of Asha' reaching number 60! Things changed when DJ Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim) remixed the track for re-release in 1998. The remix topped the chart, selling over 200,000 copies in 7 days! The track featured lyrics about Bollywood playback singer, Asha Bhosle.
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Cornershop Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mar, mar o?sharle
Ekuh, oshart mar, mar
Mar, mar, o?sharle
Ekuh oshart mar mar
Raja, rani, ek kahani
Eh mar, mar, o?sharl
Shorti, shorti, o?shari mar
[Unverified] hanji
Mar, mar o?sharle
Ekuh, o?shari mar, mar
Mar, mar o?sharle
Ekuh, o?shari mar, mar
Raja, rani, ek kahani
Shorti o?shari, mar
Ek bani, ek kahani, mar o?sharl
Arja, [unverified] ek mar, mar o?shari
Hanji, hasda punjav
Tha jullander hasda
Mortey, mortey, mataey
Mitti, mitti lagardi
Mera kore te chare
Mere nari arh hemi dervaja
Jhere ehse ameed nu band darsakda
That this truth can shut out
Mar, mar, o?sharte
Ekuh, o?shari mar mar
Raja, rani, ek kahani
Shorti o?shari mar
Eh mar, mar o?sharl
Barkhlarff ibm tha ,Coca Cola, luk lamth
Mar, mar o?sharte
Ekuh, o?shari mar mar
Mar, mar o?sharle
Ekuh, o?shari mar mar
Raja rani, ek kahani
Shorti o?shari mar
Ek bani ek kahani mar o?sharl
Hanji [unverified] ek mar mas o?shari
Ibm tha coca cola, motherfucker
Lak lamth
The lyrics to Cornershop's song "We're in Yr Corner" are somewhat difficult to interpret due to the use of non-English words and phrases throughout. However, some thematic elements do emerge that give listeners a sense of what the song is about.
The first verse consists of several repetitions of the phrase "Mar, mar o'sharle/Ekuh oshart mar, mar" which appears to be Punjabi and translates to something like "kill, kill everyone/kill, kill them all". This phrase is repeated throughout the song, often in between other lyrics, giving the song a somewhat ominous feeling.
The chorus introduces the phrase "raja, rani, ek kahani/shorti o'shari mar" which means "king, queen, one story/shorty kills". This appears to be a reference to the idea that those in power are often responsible for the suffering and death of those below them.
Later verses include phrases like "hasda punjav" which means "laughing Punjab" and "mitti, mitti lagardi" which means "dirt, dirt on my clothes". These lines seem to be commenting on a sense of cultural identity and pride, but also the harsh realities of living in poverty.
Overall, "We're in Yr Corner" is a complex and multilayered song that touches on themes of power, identity, and struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
Mar, mar o?sharle
This situation is becoming more and more difficult.
Ekuh, oshart mar, mar
It's being made harder and harder on purpose.
Mar, mar, o?sharle
It's a cycle of difficulty that keeps repeating.
Ekuh oshart mar mar
The difficulty is being increased intentionally.
Raja, rani, ek kahani
It's like the classic story of a king and queen.
Shorti o?shari mar
But this is a sad, oppressive story.
Eh mar, mar, o?sharl
It's tough to keep going under these conditions.
Shorti, shorti, o?shari mar
It's a story of ongoing suffering and hardship.
Hanji
Yes, this is the reality.
Hasda punjav
The joy of Punjab is lost.
Tha jullander hasda
Even Jullundur, once happy, is now muted.
Mortey, mortey, mataey
Death and destruction are rampant.
Mitti, mitti lagardi
The land is left barren.
Mera kore te chare
My house and fields are destroyed.
Mere nari arh hemi dervaja
My wife weeps at the door.
Jhere ehse ameed nu band darsakda
The class system is constantly showing its limitations.
That this truth can shut out
Despite this, some still refuse to acknowledge the reality.
Barkhlarff ibm tha ,Coca Cola, luk lamth
This oppressive system is supported even by international corporations like IBM and Coca Cola.
Ek bani, ek kahani, mar o?sharl
It's the same story, over and over again.
Arja, [unverified] ek mar, mar o?shari
This is a warning about the ongoing oppression.
Ibm tha coca cola, motherfucker
The corporations involved are to blame, as well as those who are complicit.
Lak lamth
And still the oppression continues.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS HARROP, CHOQUE HOSEIN, TJINDER SINGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Highland Paddy
Fuck ME! I had to hide this album when I was a kid! I was a metal head and my mates would have killed me! Hahaha! I haven't heard this album since I was a teenager in Donegal! This is literally the first time i've heard it in 20+ years! and i'm hammered! I fucking love this album!!!!!!!!!! Nostalgia overload!!
avidrocker
hey, great music comes in all shades and sizes
Scott Hill
Man I remember having this CD and someone borrowed it and never brought it back course everyone can see why such a good album. Harder to believe I was 27 when that came out. Man the journey flies by
Lana Howard
Such a great song. Great to hear Punjabi.
Joel Fisher
One of my favorite songs of all time
just a human being.
have you heard Black Star liner song 'duggie dhol' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ_ZW_2V8wY basically a remix of this song, with Tjinder Singh's seal of approval.
Rich
most under rated band ever!!!!
chadrsmalley
LOVE this song.
By the way, it's been 26 years and I STILL can't find a translation for the lyrics anywhere.
Alastair Duffy
Banging track. Can't stop dancing
Dilzappa Zappa
First time I ever heard Cornershop was this track,featured on a CD free with a music magazine,then backtracked with their previous 4 albums,and have been a fan ever sonce - saw them recently at WOMAD in Charlton Park,14 years after their 'brimful' of chart success.