Linger (The Cranberries song)

Last updated

It was a Sunday afternoon. She arrived with a keyboard under her arm, just set it up and played a few songs. We couldn't really hear her because she was singing through a guitar amp or something. I gave her a lift up to the bus stop and I was saying, 'Will we see you next week?' We gave her a tape of the music for 'Linger', which she took with her. The following week she came back, and she had lyrics written out and melodies and she sang along to what we were playing, and it was like, 'Oh, my God. She's great'. [12]

In the documentary '99 Love Life & Rock 'n' Roll , O'Riordan says that the song is about her first serious kiss.

"Linger" has since become one of the band's most famous songs, though O'Riordan noted that the band did not expect the song to reach the level of commercial success that it did. [13] In a 2012 interview, O'Riordan commented, "I remember when MTV first put 'Linger' in heavy rotation, every time I walked into a diner or a hotel lobby, it was like, 'Jesus, man, here I am again'. It was trippy, like Jacob's Ladder. I didn't even have to take drugs". [14]

In an interview for NME , guitarist Noel Hogan said of the song:

It's only really since Dolores passed away that I've grown a proper appreciation for songs like 'Linger' and 'Dreams'. They were just songs in the set list for us; everybody else was losing their mind about them. And when I listen to them now I realise how great they are for someone so young, which I never, ever appreciated until a year ago. We must have played it a gazillion times in our lives and it just becomes a part of the set, but it's different now. We're so lucky to have left that behind, to have that legacy. [15]

Critical reception

Jason Elias of AllMusic described "Linger" as "a song of regret, epic in scope and sweeping", praising the instrumentation and O'Riordan's vocals: "While this isn't lyrically novel, the full-on emotionality of lead singer Dolores O'Riordan makes this stand out. Singing in a strong Irish brogue she comes off both needy and detached here. It's that emotion that powers this track". [16] David Stubbs from Melody Maker commented, "Fragile, underwhelming acoustic thing with strings in which the girl, in prim, unsullied Irish vowels, pleads for her partner to put her out of her misery and end the relationship he's no longer interested in. Don't all rush to Virgin Megastore at once." [17] Upon the 1994 re-release, the magazine's Caitlin Moran, concluded, "Good songs never disappear; they just keep getting released and re-released until you capitulate and buy the f***er." [18] A reviewer from Music & Media wrote, "Currently on tour with the Hothouse Flowers, these fellow Irishmen deserve your attention. Don't hang round the bar, but move forwards to the stage to check out their alternative pop with shades of folk." [19]

Martin Aston from Music Week rated it four out of five, adding that it "combines a gorgeous, melting vocal from Dolores with a delicate folky melody." [20] Another Music Week editor, Alan Jones, deemed it a "delightful single", noting that "floating in on a breeze, it has a haunting, fragile quality and an almost country feel." [21] Amanda Petrusich of The New Yorker described the song as "a hazy, sentimental song about realizing that you're on the bummer end of a lopsided relationship". [22] Tony Cross from Smash Hits gave it five out of five, naming it Best New Single. He added, "Delores O'Riordan's voice comes straight from the chill out room and oils the song's creaky form into fabulous, delicious and delicate motion. Settle back into an old leather sofa for a long, long time and let it linger." [23] "Linger" was ranked at number 86 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s. [24]

Music video

The music video for "Linger", shot in black-and-white, [25] was directed by American director Melodie McDaniel and based loosely on Jean-Luc Godard's 1965 science fiction noir film Alphaville —a "film that considers the potency of desire". [22] [25] In one of the rooms of the hotel, a silent film is being shown which features 1950s stripper Blaze Starr. [25]

"Linger" received heavy rotation on MTV in 1993. [22]

Track listings

"Linger"
CranberriesLinger.jpg
Artwork for the 1994 European re-release (UK CD single pictured)
Single by the Cranberries
from the album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?
B-side
  • "Reason", "Liar", "Them" (1993)
  • "Pretty" (1994)
Released15 February 1993 (1993-02-15) [1]
Genre
Length4:34
Label Island
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Stephen Street
The Cranberries singles chronology
"Dreams"
(1992)
"Linger"
(1993)
"Zombie"
(1994)
Audio sample

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Linger"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Portugal (AFP) [62] Gold20,000
United Kingdom (BPI) [63] Platinum600,000
United States (RIAA) [64] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Cranberries</span> Irish rock band

The Cranberries were an Irish rock band formed in Limerick, Ireland, in 1989. The band was originally named The Cranberry Saw Us and featured singer Niall Quinn, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan, and drummer Fergal Lawler; Quinn was replaced as lead singer by Dolores O'Riordan in 1990, and the group changed their name to the Cranberries. The band classified themselves as an alternative rock group, but incorporated aspects of indie rock, jangle pop, dream pop, folk rock, post-punk, and pop rock into their sound.

<i>No Need to Argue</i> 1994 studio album by The Cranberries

No Need to Argue is the second studio album by Irish alternative rock band the Cranberries, released on 3 October 1994 through Island Records. It is the band's best-selling album, and has sold 17 million copies worldwide as of 2014. It contains one of the band's most well-known songs, "Zombie". The album's mood is considered to be darker and harsher than that on the band's debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?, released a year prior.

<i>Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Cant We?</i> 1993 studio album by The Cranberries

Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? is the debut studio album by Irish alternative rock band the Cranberries. Released on 1 March 1993 through Island Records after four EPs, it is both the band's first full-length album and major label release. The album was written entirely by the band's lead singer Dolores O'Riordan and guitarist Noel Hogan and contains the band's highest charting US single, "Linger". The album reached number one on the UK and the Irish albums charts. It spent a total of 86 weeks on the UK chart. On 24 June 1994, it became the fifth album in rock history to reach number one more than a year after release. At the end of 1995, it ranked as the 50th best selling album in Australia. It reached number 18 on the US Billboard 200 albums chart and stayed on this chart for 130 weeks; the album sold six million copies worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zombie (The Cranberries song)</span> 1994 single by The Cranberries

"Zombie" is a protest song by Irish alternative rock band the Cranberries. It was written by the lead singer, Dolores O'Riordan, about the young victims of a bombing in Warrington, England, during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The song was released on 19 September 1994 by Island Records as the lead single from the Cranberries' second studio album, No Need to Argue (1994). Critics have described "Zombie" as "a masterpiece of alternative rock", with grunge-style distorted guitar and shouted vocals uncharacteristic of the band's other work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regret (New Order song)</span> 1993 single by New Order

"Regret" is a song by British alternative rock band New Order. It was released on 5 April 1993 by London Records as the lead single from their sixth studio album, Republic (1993). Stephen Hague is credited as both the producer and as a co-writer. It was the band's first single released on CentreDate Co Ltd following the collapse of Factory Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come to My Window</span> 1993 single by Melissa Etheridge

"Come to My Window" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, released in 1993 as the second single from her fourth studio album, Yes I Am (1993). This was the first song to become a hit after Etheridge publicly announced that she was a lesbian. With the driving force of gay rights, the song gained substantial airplay on radio stations, mostly through call-in requests. The song debuted on the Billboard charts after the first week of its release, reaching number 25 on the chart. The song also charted in Canada, reaching number 13 on the RPM Top Singles chart. It was the second song from Etheridge that earned her a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. In 2019, Billboard included "Come to My Window" in its list of the "30 Lesbian Love Songs".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'd Die Without You</span> 1992 single by P.M. Dawn

"I'd Die Without You" is a song by American R&B duo P.M. Dawn, first appearing on the soundtrack of the 1992 film Boomerang, starring Eddie Murphy, and was one of several songs to chart from the album. Later, the song was released on the duo's second album, The Bliss Album...? (1993), as well as on their 2000 greatest hits collection, The Best of P.M. Dawn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Power of Love (Jennifer Rush song)</span> 1984 single by Jennifer Rush

"The Power of Love" is a song co-written and originally recorded by American singer-songwriter Jennifer Rush in 1984. It was released in December 1984 by CBS Records as the fifth single from her debut album, Jennifer Rush (1984), and has since been covered by Air Supply, Laura Branigan, and Celine Dion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will You Be There (In the Morning)</span> 1993 single by Heart

"Will You Be There (In the Morning)" is a song by American rock band Heart. The ballad was written by veteran songwriter and producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange, who was responsible for writing Heart's US number-two single "All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You" in 1990, and was released as the first single from the band's 11th studio album, Desire Walks On (1993) (although "Black on Black II" was released to radio first). Unlike the majority of Heart songs, which feature Ann Wilson on lead vocals, the lead singer on the song is Nancy Wilson. The song was released in the United Kingdom in November 1993 and in the United States the following month by Capitol Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm the Only One</span> 1993 single by Melissa Etheridge

"I'm the Only One" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge from her fourth studio album, Yes I Am (1993). It was released as the first single in September 1993, reaching number 12 in Canada and number 26 in the Netherlands. In the United States, it was slow to gain momentum, but after the success of "Come to My Window", it was re-released, peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in January 1995. It remains Etheridge's biggest hit on either chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Always (Bon Jovi song)</span> 1994 single by Bon Jovi

"Always" is a song by American rock band Bon Jovi. The power ballad was released in September 1994 by Mercury as a single from the band's first official greatest hits album, Cross Road (1994), and went on to become one of their best-selling singles, with a million copies sold in the US and more than three million worldwide. The song reached number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming their 11th and last top 10 hit. It was an international hit, peaking at number one in Belgium, Canada, Ireland and Switzerland, number two in Australia and the United Kingdom, and number four in Germany. The music video for the song was directed by Marty Callner. "Always" was bass player Alec John Such's final single with the band before he left in late 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salvation (The Cranberries song)</span> 1996 single by the Cranberries

"Salvation" is the lead single from Irish rock band the Cranberries' third studio album, To the Faithful Departed (1996). Released on 8 April 1996 by Island Records, the single reached number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for four weeks and was a chart hit in Europe and Australia, peaking at number four in Iceland, number six in Italy, number seven in New Zealand, and number eight in Australia and Ireland. The music video for the song was directed by Olivier Dahan and filmed in France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ridiculous Thoughts</span> 1995 single by the Cranberries

"Ridiculous Thoughts" is a song by Irish rock band the Cranberries, released in July 1995 by Island Records as the fourth single from their second studio album, No Need to Argue (1994). The song peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart and number 23 in their native Ireland. Its music video was directed by Samuel Bayer, featuring Elijah Wood. In 2017, the song was released as an acoustic, stripped-down version on the band's Something Else album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreams (The Cranberries song)</span> 1992 single by the Cranberries

"Dreams" is the debut single of Irish rock band the Cranberries. It was originally released in September 1992 by Island Records and later appeared on the band's debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? (1993). The song reached the top 50 of the US Hot 100 and the top 30 of the UK Singles Chart in early 1994. A 1990 demo version was released in Ireland only in the summer of that year under their initial band name, the Cranberry Saw Us. At the end of the song, the backing vocals are sung by Mike Mahoney, ex-boyfriend of Cranberries lead singer Dolores O'Riordan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ode to My Family</span> 1994 single by the Cranberries

"Ode to My Family" is a song by Irish band the Cranberries, released on 21 November 1994 by Island Records as the second single from their second studio album, No Need to Argue (1994). The song was written by bandmembers Dolores O'Riordan and Noel Hogan. It was a hit in Oceania and several European countries, topping the charts in Iceland, and reaching number four in France, number five in Australia, and number eight in New Zealand. Its music video was directed by Samuel Bayer. In 2017, the song was released as an acoustic, stripped down version on the band's Something Else album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stay (Glenn Jones song)</span> 1990 single by Glenn Jones

"Stay" is a song written by Bob Khozouri and Mark Stevens, and originally recorded by American singer Glenn Jones. It was released in 1990 by Jive Records from his fifth album, All for You (1990), reaching number six on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles chart. The song became a worldwide hit for British girl group Eternal in 1993 and 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Analyse (The Cranberries song)</span> 2001 single by the Cranberries

"Analyse" is a song by Irish rock band the Cranberries. It was the first single released from their fifth studio album, Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001), on 27 August 2001. The promotional video, directed by Keir McFarlane, had to be edited in consequence of the 9/11 attacks, which was partly responsible for the single's low chart positions in their native Ireland and the United Kingdom, but it became a top-10 hit in Italy, Portugal, and Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free to Decide</span> 1996 single by the Cranberries

"Free to Decide" is a song by Irish rock band the Cranberries, released as the second single from their third studio album, To the Faithful Departed (1996), on 1 July 1996. The song achieved minor chart success in Europe but became a top-10 hit in Canada, peaking at number two on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. In the United States, it peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number eight on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. In 2017, the song was released as an acoustic version on the band's Something Else album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Promises (The Cranberries song)</span> 1999 song by the Cranberries

"Promises" is a rock song by Irish rock band the Cranberries. It is the first single from the band's fourth album, Bury the Hatchet, released in 1999. The song was the only single from the album to chart in the US and the last single before their hiatus. The song, which has a heavy rock beat with strident lead guitar, deals with the subject of divorce. A music video involving a cowboy confronting a witch/scarecrow hybrid, directed by Olivier Dahan, was released to promote the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When You're Gone (The Cranberries song)</span> 1996 single by the Cranberries

"When You're Gone" is a song by Irish band the Cranberries. It is the third single from their third studio album, To the Faithful Departed (1996). The music video was directed by Karen Bellone and was released at the end of 1996. The song was first played during the North American leg of the No Need to Argue Tour in late 1994.

References

  1. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . 13 February 1993. p. 17. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  2. "Musicians mourn the loss of the Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan". Alternative Press . 15 January 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  3. Bream, John (27 November 1994). "Red, Round and Ripe". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  4. "Single Releases" (PDF). Music Week . 29 January 1994. p. 25. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  5. Billboard.com.
  6. 1 2 "Top 100 Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box . Vol. LVII, no. 21. 12 February 1994. p. 12. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  7. "Hottest 100 1993". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 December 2008. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  8. Bray, Elisa (30 April 2019). "The Cranberries on losing Dolores O'Riordan: 'She was in a good place – it made it harder to get that call'" . The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  9. "The Cranberries Announce New Acoustic Album Something Else, Share "Linger": Listen". Pitchfork . 14 March 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  10. Pierre, Bouvier; Charles, Comeau; Emanuel, Kirakou; Keinan, Warsame; Plan, Simple; K'naan (13 March 2012). "Summer Paradise". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  11. Mundy, Chris (21 April 1994). "The Cranberries: The Hidden Power of Dreams". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  12. Browne, David (7 February 2019). "The Making of the Cranberries' Haunted Farewell". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  13. "Dolores O'Riordan, the Cranberries Singer, Dead at 46". Rolling Stone. 15 January 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  14. Kaplan, Ben. "The Cranberries: Everybody else is reuniting, so why can't they?" (PDF). National Post . Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  15. Aubrey, Elizabeth (22 January 2019). "The Cranberries on their final album: "It's like a little gift Dolores left behind"". NME. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  16. Elias, Jason. "Linger - The Cranberries | Song Info". AllMusic . Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  17. Stubbs, David (13 February 1993). "Singles". Melody Maker . p. 31. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  18. Moran, Caitlin (5 February 1994). "Singles". Melody Maker . p. 27. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  19. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 10, no. 22. 29 May 1993. p. 14. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  20. Aston, Martin (13 February 1993). "Market Preview: Alternative" (PDF). Music Week . p. 20. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  21. Jones, Alan (5 February 1994). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles" (PDF). Music Week . p. 20. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  22. 1 2 3 Petrusich, Amanda (16 January 2018). "The Ferocious, Sublime Dolores O'Riordan, of the Cranberries". The New Yorker . Archived from the original on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  23. Cross, Tony (2 February 1994). "New Singles". Smash Hits . p. 50. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  24. "VH1 - 100 Greatest 90s Songs (Music Database :: Dave Tompkins)".
  25. 1 2 3 Avoldeo, Pam (25 November 2017). "Video review: The Cranberries 'Linger'". I Want My Pop Culture. Archived from the original on 16 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  26. Linger (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). The Cranberries. Island Records. 1993. IS 556, 864 862-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. Linger (UK cassette single sleeve). The Cranberries. Island Records. 1993. CIS 556, 864 862 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  28. Linger (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). The Cranberries. Island Records. 1993. 12 IS 556, 864 863-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  29. Linger (UK CD single disc notes). The Cranberries. Island Records. 1993. CID 556, 864 863-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  30. Linger (US & Canadian CD single disc notes). The Cranberries. Island Records. 1993. 422-858 087-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  31. Linger (US cassette single sleeve). The Cranberries. Island Records. 1993. 422-862 800-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  32. Linger (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). The Cranberries. Island Records. 1994. IS 559, 858 240-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  33. Linger (UK cassette single sleeve). The Cranberries. Island Records. 1994. CIS 559, 858 240-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  34. Linger (UK 10-inch EP sleeve). The Cranberries. Island Records. 1994. 10 IS 559, 858 241-0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  35. Linger (UK CD single disc notes). The Cranberries. Island Records. 1994. CID 559, 858 241-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  36. "The Cranberries – Linger". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  37. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2389." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  38. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2408." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  39. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 11, no. 9. 26 February 1994. p. 14. OCLC   29800226 via World Radio History.
  40. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (vikan 17.–23. feb.)". DV (in Icelandic). 17 February 1994. p. 20. ISSN   1021-8254 via Timarit.is.
  41. 1 2 "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Linger". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  42. "Dutchcharts.nl – The Cranberries – Linger" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  43. "The Cranberries – Linger". Top 40 Singles.
  44. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  45. "Cranberries: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  46. "The Cranberries Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  47. "The Cranberries Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  48. "The Cranberries Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  49. "The Cranberries Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  50. "The Cranberries – Linger". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  51. "The Cranberries – Linger". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  52. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  53. "The Cranberries Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  54. "The Cranberries Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  55. "The Cranberries Chart History (Rock Digital Song Sales)". Billboard . Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  56. "The Cranberries Chart History (Rock Streaming Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  57. "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1994". RPM. Vol. 60, no. 21. 12 December 1994. p. 14. ISSN   0033-7064 via Library and Archives Canada.
  58. "RPM Top 100 AC tracks of 1994". RPM. Vol. 60, no. 21. 12 December 1994. p. 27. ISSN   0033-7064 via Library and Archives Canada.
  59. "Árslistinn 1994". DV (in Icelandic). 2 January 1995. p. 25. ISSN   1021-8254 via Timarit.is.
  60. "Top 100 Singles 1994" (PDF). Music Week . 14 January 1995. p. 9. ISSN   0265-1548 via World Radio History.
  61. "The Year in Music – Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 52. 24 December 1994. p. YE-26. ISSN   0006-2510 via Google Books.
  62. "Portuguese single certifications – The Cranberries – Linger" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa . Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  63. "British single certifications – Cranberries – Linger". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  64. "American single certifications – The Cranberries – Linger". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 3 July 2020.