"Linger"
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
LabelIsland
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Stephen Street
The Cranberries singles chronology
"Dreams"
(1992) 		"Linger"
(1993) 		"Zombie"
(1994)
Audio sample
Music video
"Linger" on YouTube
Alternative cover
Artwork for the North American release (US CD single pictured)

"Linger" is a song by Irish alternative rock band the Cranberries from their debut studio album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? (1993). Composed by band members Dolores O'Riordan and Noel Hogan, and produced by Stephen Street, "Linger" was first released as the second and final single from the album on 15 February 1993 by Island Records. It was later re-released on 31 January 1994.[4]

"Linger", which has an acoustic arrangement featuring a string section, became the band's first major hit, peaking at number 3 in their native Ireland, number 8 in the United States,[5] and number 14 in the United Kingdom. The single remained on the US Billboard Hot 100 for 24 weeks. Additionally, "Linger" was voted by Australian Triple J listeners as number 3 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 1993 chart.[6]

In 1990, "Linger" was released on a demo tape with "Dreams" in Ireland only in the middle of that year under their initial band name, the Cranberry Saw Us.[7] In 2017, an acoustic, stripped-down version of "Linger" was released as the lead single from the band's seventh studio album Something Else.[8] "Linger" is written in the key of D major.[9]

Background

When O'Riordan was auditioned as the lead singer for the band, she wrote the lyrics, turning it into a song of regret based on an experience with a 17-year-old soldier she once fell in love with.[10] Drummer Fergal Lawler recalled the process in an interview, saying:

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'.[11]

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.[12] 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".[13]

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.[14]

Critical reception

Jason Elias of AllMusic described "Linger" as "a song of regret, epic in scope and sweeping", praising the instrumentation and O'Riordan 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".[15] 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."[16] 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."[17] 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."[18]

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."[19] Another 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."[20] 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".[21] 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."[22] "Linger" was ranked at number 86 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s.[23]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Linger", shot in grayscale,[24] was directed by Melodie McDaniel and based loosely on Jean-Luc Godard's 1965 science fiction noir film Alphaville—a "film that considers the potency of desire".[21][24] In one of the rooms of the hotel, a silent film is being shown which features 1950s stripper Blaze Starr.[24]

"Linger" received heavy rotation on MTV in 1993.[21]

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Linger"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Portugal (AFP)[61] Gold 20,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[62] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[63] Gold 500,000^

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

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. ^ "Hottest 100 1993". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 December 2008. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "The Cranberries Announce New Acoustic Album Something Else, Share "Linger": Listen". Pitchfork. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  9. ^ Pierre, Bouvier; Charles, Comeau; Emanuel, Kirakou; Keinan, Warsame; Plan, Simple; K'naan (13 March 2012). "Summer Paradise". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  10. ^ Mundy, Chris (21 April 1994). "The Cranberries: The Hidden Power of Dreams". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  11. ^ Browne, David (7 February 2019). "The Making of the Cranberries' Haunted Farewell". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  12. ^ "Dolores O'Riordan, the Cranberries Singer, Dead at 46". Rolling Stone. 15 January 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  13. ^ Kaplan, Ben. "The Cranberries: Everybody else is reuniting, so why can't they?" (PDF). National Post. Retrieved 22 June 2019.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ Elias, Jason. "Linger - The Cranberries | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  16. ^ Stubbs, David (13 February 1993). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 31. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  17. ^ Moran, Caitlin (5 February 1994). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 27. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  18. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 29 May 1993. p. 14. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  19. ^ Aston, Martin (13 February 1993). "Market Preview: Alternative" (PDF). Music Week. p. 20. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  20. ^ Jones, Alan (5 February 1994). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 20. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  21. ^ a b c 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.
  22. ^ Cross, Tony (2 February 1994). "New Singles". Smash Hits. p. 50. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  23. ^ "VH1 - 100 Greatest 90s Songs (Music Database :: Dave Tompkins)".
  24. ^ a b c 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.
  25. ^ 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)
  26. ^ 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)
  27. ^ 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)
  28. ^ 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)
  29. ^ 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)
  30. ^ 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)
  31. ^ 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)
  32. ^ 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)
  33. ^ 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)
  34. ^ 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)
  35. ^ "The Cranberries – Linger". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  36. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2389." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  37. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2408." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  38. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 9. 26 February 1994. p. 14. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  39. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (vikan 17.–23. feb.)". DV (in Icelandic). 17 February 1994. p. 20. ISSN 1021-8254 – via Timarit.is.
  40. ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Linger". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  41. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Cranberries – Linger" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  42. ^ "The Cranberries – Linger". Top 40 Singles.
  43. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  44. ^ "Cranberries: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  45. ^ "The Cranberries Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  46. ^ "The Cranberries Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  47. ^ "The Cranberries Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  48. ^ "The Cranberries Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  49. ^ "The Cranberries – Linger". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  50. ^ "The Cranberries – Linger". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  51. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  52. ^ "The Cranberries Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  53. ^ "The Cranberries Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  54. ^ "The Cranberries Chart History (Rock Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  55. ^ "The Cranberries Chart History (Rock Streaming Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  56. ^ "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.
  57. ^ "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.
  58. ^ "Árslistinn 1994". DV (in Icelandic). 2 January 1995. p. 25. ISSN 1021-8254 – via Timarit.is.
  59. ^ "Top 100 Singles 1994" (PDF). Music Week. 14 January 1995. p. 9. ISSN 0265-1548 – via World Radio History.
  60. ^ "The Year in Music – Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 52. 24 December 1994. p. YE-26. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
  61. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – The Cranberries – Linger" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  62. ^ "British single certifications – Cranberries – Linger". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  63. ^ "American single certifications – The Cranberries – Linger". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
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