It was 1998. The radio was a battlefield of bubblegum pop and aggressive nu-metal, and then, suddenly, there were those violins. If you lived through the late nineties, you remember the specific, airy magic of "What Can I Do" by The Corrs. It wasn't just another pop song. It was this weirdly perfect blend of Irish folk sensibilities and polished, radio-ready production that somehow made you feel nostalgic for a heartbreak you hadn't even had yet.
The Tin Whistle That Conquered the World
Honestly, it’s kind of wild to think about how a family band from Dundalk, County Louth, managed to pivot from traditional Irish sessions to the top of the global charts. The Corrs—Andrea, Sharon, Caroline, and Jim—didn't just get lucky. They worked for it. But "What Can I Do" was the moment where the "Corrs sound" really crystallized for the masses. It came off their second studio album, Talk on Corners, which eventually became the best-selling album of 1998 in the UK.
Wait. Let’s back up.
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The original version of the song was actually a bit more understated. It was breezy, sure, but it didn't have that "Discover Weekly" punch we’ve come to expect from a massive hit. It was only when the Tin Tin Out remix dropped that the song truly exploded. That’s the version most of us have etched into our brains. It added this crisp, rhythmic drive that pushed Andrea’s breathy vocals to the forefront without burying the organic warmth of the instruments.
It's a masterclass in how to "pop-ify" folk music without losing its soul.
What Really Makes What Can I Do Work?
Music critics sometimes dismiss The Corrs as "too clean" or "too safe." That’s a mistake. If you actually sit down and listen to the lyrics of "What Can I Do," it’s a pretty desperate plea. It’s about that suffocating feeling of being completely invisible to someone you’re obsessed with.
"I haven't slept at all, the entire night / And I'm going through the motions as I'm walking into the light."
That’s dark! It’s about insomnia, obsession, and the paralysis of unrequited love. But because the melody is so infectious and the production is so bright, it feels like a comforting hug rather than a breakdown. That juxtaposition is why it stayed on the charts for so long. People could dance to it at a wedding, but they could also cry to it in their bedrooms at 2:00 AM.
The interplay between the siblings is the secret sauce here. You have Caroline’s steady drumming (which is underrated, frankly), Jim’s guitar work, and Sharon’s violin, which provides these weeping counter-melodies to Andrea’s lead. It’s a literal family conversation happening through instruments.
The Remix That Changed Everything
We have to talk about the Tin Tin Out remix. Usually, a remix is just a way to get a song into the clubs, but for "What Can I Do," it was a total transformation. The original album version had more of a "Sunday morning coffee" vibe. It was pleasant. The remix, however, leaned into the late-90s acoustic-pop trend.
Think about Natalie Imbruglia’s "Torn" or early Sheryl Crow. That’s the space this song started to occupy.
It’s actually quite rare for a remix to become the definitive version of a track in the eyes of the public. Most people don't even realize there is another version. The remix reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and spent 11 weeks in the top 75. It turned a solid album track into a career-defining anthem.
Why the 90s Aesthetic Persists
Look at TikTok or Instagram today. The "90s aesthetic" is back in a massive way, and The Corrs fit right into that. The music video for "What Can I Do"—shot in New Zealand—is the epitome of 90s cool. Oversized knitwear, natural hair, moody lighting, and scenic landscapes. It felt authentic in a way that the hyper-manufactured pop of the early 2000s didn't.
There’s a reason Gen Z is discovering this song now. It’s "Cozy Core" before that was even a thing.
Technical Nuance: The Celtic Layer
You can't discuss "What Can I Do" without mentioning the Celtic influence. The Corrs were often criticized by traditionalists for "selling out" the Irish sound, but that’s a narrow way to look at it. They were ambassadors.
By sneaking the tin whistle and the violin into a chart-topping pop song, they were doing more for Irish cultural visibility than almost anyone else at the time. The song uses a standard pop structure—verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus—but the textures are deeply rooted in their upbringing.
- The use of the tin whistle in the hook provides a high-frequency "sparkle" that synths just can't replicate.
- The violin isn't just a pad; it plays riffs that are almost fiddle-like in their execution.
- The vocal harmonies are tight, a byproduct of siblings singing together since childhood.
Common Misconceptions About the Song
People often think "What Can I Do" was their first big hit. It wasn't. They’d already had some success with "Runaway," which is a whole other level of balladry. However, "What Can I Do" was the song that proved they weren't just a one-trick pony. It proved they could do "upbeat" just as well as they could do "sobbing-in-the-rain."
Another myth? That they didn't write their own stuff. The Corrs were heavily involved in the writing process of Talk on Corners. They weren't puppets. They were musicians who happened to be photogenic.
Why We Are Still Talking About It in 2026
Nostalgia is a hell of a drug, but it only works if the source material is good. "What Can I Do" has aged remarkably well because it’s not cluttered with dated electronic sounds. It’s mostly organic.
In an era of AI-generated music and perfectly quantized vocals, there is something deeply refreshing about hearing a song that sounds like it was played by humans in a room. Even the remix, with its programmed drums, keeps the core of the performance intact.
The song captures a specific type of yearning that is universal. Whether you’re a teenager in 1998 or a 30-something in 2026, the feeling of "What can I do to make you love me?" is timeless. It’s the ultimate "relatable" lyric.
Actionable Takeaways for Music Lovers
If you want to truly appreciate "What Can I Do" beyond just the nostalgia factor, try these steps to deepen your listening experience:
- Compare the Versions: Go to a streaming platform and listen to the original Talk on Corners version first. Then listen to the Tin Tin Out remix. Notice how the tempo change and the acoustic guitar strumming pattern completely shift the emotional weight of the song.
- Watch the MTV Unplugged Performance: If you want to see their technical chops, find their Unplugged session. It’s one of the best in the series. Seeing Andrea play the tin whistle while singing is a reminder that they were the real deal.
- Explore the B-Sides: The Corrs have a wealth of covers and live versions that show off their folk roots more aggressively than their radio hits.
- Update Your Playlists: This song fits perfectly into "Late 90s Coffee House" or "Acoustic Pop" playlists. It bridges the gap between folk and pop better than almost any other track of that era.
The legacy of "What Can I Do" isn't just about record sales or chart positions. It’s about how it makes you feel when that first violin swell hits. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the simplest questions—the ones we ask when we're at our most vulnerable—make for the best songs.