Born in Limerick, Ireland, The Cranberry was one of the biggest bands of the 1990s. Formed in 1989, the band achieved great popularity in 1994 thanks to their second album. No need to arguewhich included their signature anti-war song “Zombie”. Thanks to the biting lyrics and catchy delivery of lead singer Dolores O’Riordan, the group remains in the general zeitgeist.
Here below, we wanted to explore three songs from the set that have stood the test of time. A trio of songs that swing and carry a message for listeners. In fact, these are three timeless songs from the Irish band The Cranberry that will be played forever.
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“Zombies” from No need to argue (1994)
This song starts out bright and catchy before quickly turning into a heavy and loud anti-war rant. With around 1.6 billion streams on YouTube alone, this may be the most popular anti-war song of all time. The track highlights the long-standing conflict between England and Northern Ireland known as The Troubles. Specifically, it talks about the young victims of a bombing in Warrington, England. On the show, O’Riordan sings.
Another head hanging modestly
The child is taken slowly
and violence caused such silence
Who we are wrong
But as you can see it’s not me
It’s not my family
In your head, in your head
They are fighting
with their tanks and bombs
And their bombs and rifles
In your head, in your head
They are crying
“Dreams” from Everyone else is doing it, so why don’t we? (1993)
Even before The Cranberry released their second album in 1994, they were getting attention and being streamed all over the world. And for those of us who grew up in the 90s and went to school for dancing, this song is a classic. A lot of arm-length slow dances were performed among middle school students while listening to this tune. Using her fake voice, O’Riordan sings about life made better by the benefits of love. In fact, she sings.
Oh, my life is changing every day
in every possible way
And my dreams
It’s never what it seems
Never quite what it looks like
I know I’ve felt this before
but now I feel it even more
because it came from you
Then I open and see
The person falling down here is me
A different way to be
“rest” of Everyone else is doing it, so why don’t we? (1993)
Also from the band’s first LP, this song showcases the dreamy vibes that helped put The Cranberry on the proverbial map. Another Love Song, is a song of devotion and a confession that the subject of the singer’s affection has wrapped her around his finger. It’s inspired by O’Riordan falling in love with a soldier at the age of seventeen. She wrote the lyrics when she was first trying out for the band in the late 1980s. On the show, she sings
If you, if you can come back
Don’t let it burn
Don’t let it fade away
I’m pretty sure I’m not rude
But that’s just your attitude
it tears me apart
It destroys every day
I swore, I swore I’d be honest.
And honey, so are you.
Why were you holding her hand?
Is this the way we stand?
Have you been lying all along?
Was it just a game to you?
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