Feature Photo: Poudou99, CC BY 3.0
The Cranberries emerged as a defining voice of 1990s alternative rock, hailing from Limerick, Ireland. The band was originally formed in 1989 by brothers Noel Hogan (guitar) and Mike Hogan (bass), along with drummer Fergal Lawler and vocalist Niall Quinn. However, it was Dolores O’Riordan, who replaced Quinn in 1990, whose distinctive voice and poetic lyricism propelled the group into global prominence. Her raw yet ethereal vocals became the band’s signature sound, intertwining seamlessly with their melodic, guitar-driven compositions.
The Cranberries began their ascent in the early 1990s after signing with Island Records. Their debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, released in 1993, featured the breakout hits “Linger” and “Dreams,” both of which showcased O’Riordan’s emotive vocal delivery and the band’s knack for crafting memorable melodies. The album achieved massive commercial success, reaching multi-platinum status and marking the start of the band’s global impact.
Their second album, No Need to Argue (1994), cemented their place in rock history with the iconic protest anthem “Zombie,” a visceral response to the violence of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The song’s haunting lyrics and grungy intensity contrasted with their earlier work, demonstrating the band’s versatility. No Need to Argue became their best-selling album, achieving platinum and multi-platinum certifications worldwide.
Over their career, The Cranberries released eight studio albums, including To the Faithful Departed (1996), which explored themes of mortality and social issues, and Bury the Hatchet (1999), which marked a return to their melodic roots after the more experimental tone of its predecessor. Following their hiatus in 2003, the band reunited in 2009 and released additional albums such as Roses (2012) and In the End (2019), the latter serving as a poignant farewell following O’Riordan’s untimely death in 2018.
The Cranberries’ contributions to music were widely celebrated. They received several international accolades, including nominations for MTV Europe Music Awards and recognition for their artistic and cultural impact. Their ability to merge deeply personal themes with universal resonance endeared them to fans worldwide. Tracks like “Ode to My Family,” “When You’re Gone,” and “Animal Instinct” remain beloved for their emotional depth and timeless appeal.
Beyond their music, The Cranberries, particularly Dolores O’Riordan, were active in philanthropy and social causes. O’Riordan often used her platform to advocate for peace and address societal issues, amplifying the band’s influence beyond the charts. Their music became a voice for a generation grappling with political turmoil and personal introspection.
The Cranberries’ legacy is marked by over 50 million records sold worldwide and a discography that continues to inspire new listeners. Their ability to balance introspective ballads with powerful rock anthems ensured their place as one of the most significant bands of their era. Even after O’Riordan’s passing, their music remains a testament to their enduring artistry and the profound emotional connection they forged with audiences.
(A-D)
“7 Years” – CD-R test pressing of Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
“A Fast One” – Water Circle (1990, as The Cranberry Saw Us)
“A Place I Know” – In the End (2019)
“All Over Now” † – In the End (2019)
“Always” – Bonus track on the iTunes release of Roses (2012)
“Analyse” † – Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
“Animal Instinct” † – Bury the Hatchet (1999)
“Astral Projections” – Roses (2012)
“Away” – B-side of “Zombie” (1994)
“Baby Blues” – B-side of “Animal Instinct” (1999)
“Bosnia” – To the Faithful Departed (1996)
“Cape Town” – Bonus track on Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
“Carry On” – Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
“Catch Me If You Can” – In the End (2019)
“Chocolate Brown” – Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
“Chrome Paint” – Water Circle (1990, as The Cranberry Saw Us)
“(They Long to Be) Close to You” (Carpenters cover) – If I Were a Carpenter (1994)
“The Concept” – Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
“Conduct” – Roses (2012)
“Copycat” ‡ – Bury the Hatchet (1999)
“Cordell” – To the Faithful Departed (1996)
“Crazy Heart” – In the End (2019)
“Daffodil Lament” – No Need to Argue (1994)
“Delilah” – Bury the Hatchet (1999)
“Desperate Andy” – Bury the Hatchet (1999)
“Disappointment” – No Need to Argue (1994)
“Do You Know” – Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
“Dreaming My Dreams” ‡ – No Need to Argue (1994)
“Dreams” † – Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (1992)
“Dying In The Sun” – Bury the Hatchet (1999)
“Dying Inside” – Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
(E-H)
“Electric Blue” – To the Faithful Departed (1996)
“Empty” – No Need to Argue (1994)
“Every Morning” – Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
“Everything I Said” – No Need to Argue (1994)
“Fee Fi Fo” – Bury the Hatchet (1999)
“Fire & Soul” ‡ – Roses (2012)
“Forever Yellow Skies” – To the Faithful Departed (1996)
“Free to Decide” † – To the Faithful Departed (1996)
“The Glory” – Something Else (2017)
“Go Your Own Way” (Fleetwood Mac cover) – Legacy: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours (1998)
“God Be With You” – The Devil’s Own (Original Soundtrack) (1997, credited to O’Riordan)
“Good Morning God” – Anything (1990, as The Cranberry Saw Us)
“Got It” – In the End (2019)
“Hollywood” † – To the Faithful Departed (1996)
“How” – Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (1993)
“How’s It Going To Bleed” – Anything (1990, as The Cranberry Saw Us)
(I-J)
“I Can’t Be with You” † – No Need to Argue (1994)
“I Don’t Need” – B-side of “Zombie” (1994)
“I Just Shot John Lennon” – To the Faithful Departed (1996)
“I Really Hope” – Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
“I Still Do” – Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (1993)
“I Will Always” – Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (1993)
“The Icicle Melts” – No Need to Argue (1994)
“I’m Still Remembering” ‡ – To the Faithful Departed (1996)
“Illusion” – In the End (2019)
“In It Together” – Bonus track on Roses (2012)
“In The End” – In the End (2019)
“In the Ghetto” (Elvis Presley cover) – Bonus track on Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
“Intermission” – To the Faithful Departed (1996)
“Íosa” – Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (25th Anniversary Edition) (2018)
“Joe” – To the Faithful Departed (1996)
“Just My Imagination” † – Bury the Hatchet (1999)
(L)
“Liar” ‡ – B-side of “Linger” (1993)
“Linger” † – Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (1993)
“Losing My Mind” – Roses (2012)
“Lost” – In the End (2019)
“Loud and Clear” – Bury the Hatchet (1999)
(M-N)
“Many Days” – Asian Tour Edition of Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
“Never Grow Old” – Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
“New New York” – Stars: The Best of 1992–2002 (2002)
“No Need to Argue” – No Need to Argue (1994)
“Not Sorry” – Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (1993)
“Nothing Left at All” – Uncertain (1991)
(O-P)
“Ode to My Family” † – No Need to Argue (1994)
“Paparazzi on Mopeds” – B-side of “Animal Instinct” (1999)
“Pathetic Senses” – Uncertain (1991)
“Perfect World” – Bonus track on Roses (Extended Version) (2012)
“The Picture I View” – B-side of “Free to Decide” (1996)
“Pretty” – Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (1993)
“Pretty Eyes” – Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
“The Pressure” – In the End (2019)
“Promises” † – Bury the Hatchet (1999)
“Put Me Down” – Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (1993)
(R)
“Raining in My Heart” ‡ – Roses (2012)
“Reason” – B-side of “Linger” (1993)
“The Rebels” – To the Faithful Departed (1996)
“Ridiculous Thoughts” † – No Need to Argue (1994)
“Roses” – Roses (2012)
“Rupture” – Something Else (2017)
(S)
“Salvation” † – To the Faithful Departed (1996)
“Saving Grace” – Bury the Hatchet (1999)
“Schizophrenic Playboys” – Roses (2012)
“Serendipity” – Bonus track on Roses (2012)
“Shattered” – Bury the Hatchet (1999)
“Shine Down” – Nothing Left at All (1990, as The Cranberry Saw Us)
“Show Me” ‡ – Roses (2012)
“So Cold in Ireland” – B-side of “Ode to My Family” (1994)
“So Good” – Roses (2012)
“Someday” – Bonus track on the Japanese release of Roses (2012)
“Sorry Son” – Bury the Hatchet (1999)
“Stars” † – Stars: The Best of 1992–2002 (2002)
“Still Can’t…” ‡ – Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (1993)
“Stop Me” – Bonus track on the iTunes Canada release of Roses (2012)
“Storm in a Teacup” – Anything (1990, as The Cranberry Saw Us)
“Such a Shame” – Bury the Hatchet (The Complete Sessions) (2000)
“Such a Waste” – Bonus track on “This Is the Day” (2002)
“Summer Song” – In the End (2019)
“Sunday” ‡ – Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (1993)
(T-Z)
“The Sweetest Thing” – B-side of “Promises” (1999)
“Them” – Uncertain (1991)
“This Is The Day” † – Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
“Throw Me Down a Big Stairs” – Anything (1990, as The Cranberry Saw Us)
“Time is Ticking Out” † – Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
“Tomorrow” † – Roses (2012)
“Twenty One” – No Need to Argue (1994)
“Uncertain” – Uncertain (1991)
“Waiting in Walthamstow” ‡ – Roses (2012)
“Wake Me When It’s Over” † – In the End (2019)
“Wake Up And Smell The Coffee” – Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
“Waltzing Back” – Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (1993)
“Wanted” – Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (1993)
“War Child” – To the Faithful Departed (1996)
“What You Were” – B-side of “Dreams” (1992)
“What’s On My Mind” – Bury the Hatchet (1999)
“When You’re Gone” † – To the Faithful Departed (1996)
“Why?” † – Something Else (2017)
“Will You Remember?” – To the Faithful Departed (1996)
“Woman Without Pride” – Bury the Hatchet (The Complete Sessions) (2000)
“Yeats’ Grave” – No Need to Argue (1994)
“You and Me” † – Bury the Hatchet (1999)
“Zombie” † – No Need to Argue (1994)
