Irish vocal duo Sonaírí return with a striking new interpretation of Coldplay’s beloved classic “Fix You”, a release that continues their mission of blending classical tradition with contemporary emotion. Formed by soprano Amie Dyer and tenor David Corr, the duo has quickly established itself as a fresh voice in the classical crossover space, bringing cinematic depth, rich vocal harmony, and heartfelt storytelling to a wide-ranging repertoire.
With “Fix You,” Sonaírí strips one of modern music’s most iconic songs back to its emotional core, reshaping it through their signature Irish-infused classical lens. The result is a version that feels both intimate and expansive, anchored in themes of love, loss, healing, and hope. For the duo, the song is not just a cover, but a deeply personal interpretation shaped by lived experience, artistic intuition, and a shared belief in the power of honest storytelling through music.
In this conversation, Amie Dyer and David Corr reflect on the inspiration behind the release, their approach to reimagining such a well-known track, and the balance between technical classical training and emotional vulnerability. They also discuss audience reactions, the importance of universal themes in music, and what lies ahead for Sonaírí as they continue to build their evolving sound between opera, Irish tradition, and contemporary reinterpretation.
Congratulations on the release of “Fix You.” What inspired you to reinterpret this iconic Coldplay song?
Amie: Thank you! Fix You is one of those rare songs that feels completely timeless. It’s a song we’ve both connected with throughout our lives, both as listeners and as performers, and every time we’ve sung it, we’ve been struck by how deeply people respond to it. We felt it offered a wonderful opportunity to bring together the classical and contemporary elements that are such a big part of Sonaírí, while staying true to the heart of a song that means so much to so many people.
David: Thank you. What drew me to Fix You is its extraordinary simplicity and honesty. As singers, we’re always looking for music that tells a genuine human story, and this song does that beautifully. It has a melody that feels almost hymn-like in places, which lends itself naturally to the classical crossover style. We felt we could bring something new to it while still respecting everything people already love about the original.
What does the song personally mean to each of you?
Amie: This song is really personal to us. It’s a song we’ve both sat with at different times in our lives. To me, it’s really a song about hope. The kind that finds you when life feels heavy, uncertain or a little lost. It reminds me that even in difficult moments, there’s always a light somewhere ahead, even if it’s only a small one.
David: For me, the song speaks about compassion and being present for someone when they need support. We all experience moments when life doesn’t go as planned, and Fix You reminds us of the power of kindness, friendship, and simply being there for another person. That’s a message that never loses its relevance.
How did you approach reimagining such a well-known track while still making it feel uniquely Sonaírí?
Amie: As a classical crossover duo, harmony is central to what we do. Harmony and vocal layering were central to our approach, allowing us to shape the emotional journey of the song together. We also wanted to explore the full range of the voice to allow the operatic style to subtly shine through. We built this through harmony, layering, and moments of operatic colour as the song builds. At the same time, it was important to stay true to the emotion and simplicity that make the original so powerful.
David: We never wanted to reinvent the song for the sake of it. We aimed to allow the music to breathe and let the emotion speak for itself. The blend of our voices is at the heart of Sonaírí, so we focused on creating a sound that felt intimate, cinematic, and emotionally honest. The arrangement grew from that rather than from any desire to dramatically change the song.
Your version strips the song back to its emotional core. What elements of the original were most important for you to preserve?
Amie: For us, it was always the honesty of the song. The melody, the message, and the emotional journey are so beautifully written that we never wanted to lose sight of them. Everything we added was there to support that, not distract from it.
David: The emotional journey was the most important thing to preserve. Chris Martin’s melody is beautifully crafted and carries so much feeling. We wanted listeners to recognise the song immediately and experience that same sense of comfort and hope, while hearing it through our own musical lens.
Can you tell us about the vocal arrangements and how you worked together to create the harmonies heard on the track?
Amie: We really enjoyed shaping the harmonies together. We spent a lot of time exploring different harmonies and vocal colours, drawing on both our classical backgrounds and more cinematic influences. We wanted them to reflect the emotion of the song and its natural build, so the interpretation grew very organically. It was a very collaborative process, and figuring it out together actually brought us closer creatively.
David: One of the joys of working with Amie is that we approach music from a similar place while bringing different strengths to the table. We experimented with a lot of textures and harmonies, always asking what best served the story, the voices, and the song. The layered vocals became an important part of the arrangement because they create a sense of warmth and support that mirrors the message of the lyrics.
The themes of love, loss, healing, and hope are central to Fix You. Why do you think these themes continue to resonate so strongly with audiences today?
Amie: Because they’re universal. No matter where we come from, everyone experiences loss, struggles, love, and hope at different points in life. Songs like Fix You remind us that we’re not alone in those experiences.
David: Because they’re experiences that connect us all. Regardless of background, age, or circumstance, everyone understands what it feels like to struggle, to care for someone, or to search for hope. Music that speaks honestly about those experiences has a way of bringing people together.
As artists trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, how have your classical backgrounds influenced your interpretation of contemporary music?
Amie: Our classical training has given us a deep appreciation for storytelling, musical detail, and vocal technique and expression. Even when we’re performing contemporary music, those foundations are always there and influence how we shape a song and connect with its message.
David: Our training at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland has influenced every aspect of how we approach music. Classical training develops not only vocal technique but also discipline, musicianship, and an understanding of how to communicate emotion through sound. One of the greatest gifts it gives a singer is stamina. Through breath control, efficient vocal production and healthy technique, you learn how to sustain the voice while maintaining consistency and expression. That foundation allows us to approach contemporary music with confidence and freedom, focusing less on the mechanics of singing and more on telling the story of the song.
How do you balance classical technique with the emotional intimacy required for modern songs like this?
Amie: For us, technique should always serve the story. We use our training to support the emotion of a song, but we never want technique to get in the way of genuine connection.
David: It’s all about authenticity. Technique is there to give you freedom and control, but it should never become the focus. Our goal is always to communicate the emotion as directly as possible and use our training to support that rather than overshadow it.
Have audience reactions to the single so far matched your expectations, or have there been any surprises?
Amie: The response has been incredibly moving. We’ve had many people come up to us after performances to share what the song means to them personally, and I’m always touched by the honesty and bravery it takes to do that.
David: The reaction has been wonderful and, in many ways, humbling. What has surprised me most is how many people have shared personal stories connected to the song. We knew Fix You already meant a great deal to many listeners, but hearing how it has helped people through difficult periods of their lives has been incredibly moving.
What do you hope listeners feel or take away after hearing your version of Fix You?
Amie: More than anything, I hope people feel hope and comfort. If the song gives someone a sense of hope, connection, or even just a few moments to pause and reflect, then we’ve done our job.
David: I hope they feel a sense of comfort and reassurance. The song acknowledges that life can be difficult, but it also carries a powerful message of hope. If someone finishes listening feeling a little lighter, a little stronger, or simply understood, then that’s the greatest compliment we could receive.
Are there any other contemporary songs you would love to reinterpret in the future?
Amie: There are so many. We’re always drawn to songs with strong melodies and meaningful lyrics, and exploring the crossover contemporary style. We’re currently at the drawing board!
David: Absolutely. There are so many contemporary songs with beautiful melodies and powerful stories that could lend themselves to the Sonaírí sound. Like Amie, I was really moved by Falling Slowly from Once. It’s a wonderfully written song and certainly one we’d love to explore at some point.
Message to Fans and Readers?
Amie: Just a heartfelt thank you. The support we’ve received for Sonaírí has meant so much to both of us. We feel incredibly lucky to share music with people, and we’re excited for what’s ahead.
David: I would simply like to say thank you. Every person who listens to our music, attends a concert, shares a post, or sends a message of support helps make this journey possible. Sonaírí was born from a shared love of beautiful music and storytelling, and we feel incredibly fortunate that so many people have embraced what we’re trying to create.
With “Fix You,” Sonaírí have demonstrated how a familiar song can be transformed without losing the qualities that made it resonate in the first place. Through their blend of classical artistry, Irish musical influences, and heartfelt storytelling, Amie Dyer and David Corr have created a version that feels both respectful of the original and distinctly their own.
