Dolores O’Riordan’s unique voice defined a generation, and her work with the iconic Irish band The Cranberries continues to resonate with listeners worldwide. For over three decades, The Cranberries crafted a remarkable catalog of songs, blending alternative rock with poignant lyrics and unforgettable melodies. Here, we delve into 20 of their best tracks, showcasing the timeless appeal of The Cranberries’ music.
20. Íosa
Featured on the deluxe 25th-anniversary edition of their debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, “Íosa” stands out as The Cranberries’ only song recorded in Irish Gaelic. This hauntingly beautiful track, whose title translates to ‘Jesus’, reveals the deep influence of Catholicism and traditional church music on the band, particularly on Dolores O’Riordan’s upbringing. She often performed as a soloist at liturgical events in her school, Laurel Hill in Limerick, an experience that profoundly shaped this unique song.
19. Why
From their 2017 album Something Else, “Why” is a deeply moving song that explores themes of loss and grief. Inspired by the passing of Dolores O’Riordan’s father, the track is imbued with raw emotion. Her voice, filled with vulnerability, combined with the band’s somber and persistent instrumentation, creates an ethereal and elegiac atmosphere, making it a powerful reflection on bereavement.
18. Tomorrow
After a hiatus in 2003, during which Dolores O’Riordan released two solo albums, The Cranberries reunited in 2012 for Roses. Produced by their long-time collaborator Stephen Street, the album aimed to recapture the “delicate, darker mood” of their earlier work. “Tomorrow” perfectly embodies this spirit, showcasing the band’s signature blend of sparkling instrumentation and melancholic undertones. This nostalgic and yearning track instantly felt like a classic Cranberries song, reaffirming their enduring musical chemistry.
17. Time Is Ticking Out
Despite selling over a million copies, their 2001 album Wake Up And Smell The Coffee often gets overlooked within The Cranberries’ extensive discography. “Time Is Ticking Out” is a standout track from this album, a sharp and energetic alt-rock song characterized by its staccato guitars and Dolores O’Riordan’s direct, ecology-focused lyrics. Lines like “What about Chernobyl? What about radiation?” delivered with brisk urgency, highlight the song’s environmental concerns.
16. Liar
Originally a B-side during the Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? sessions, “Liar” gained wider recognition when it was included on the soundtrack of the 1995 cult teen film Empire Records. This gem easily rivals any track on their debut album, featuring one of Dolores O’Riordan’s most captivating vocal performances. The lyrics, filled with obsession (“I will run, I will fight/I will take you through the night”), are matched by the intense energy of the band’s playing.
15. Waltzing Back
While “Dreams” and “Linger” are often cited as the quintessential Cranberries Songs from their debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, the album is rich with other enduring tracks. “Waltzing Back” is another prime example, a slow-burn song where Fergal Lawler’s martial drumming and Noel Hogan’s Echo And The Bunnymen-inspired guitar work provide the perfect backdrop for Dolores O’Riordan’s exceptional vocals.
Image of The Cranberries No Need To Argue Press Shot
Image: The Cranberries band photo from the No Need To Argue era, showcasing Dolores O’Riordan and band members.
14. I Will Always
Perhaps the most underrated song on Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, “I Will Always” is a beautifully melancholic ballad. Characterized by a sparse rhythm section and Noel Hogan’s gentle, Johnny Marr-esque acoustic guitar, it creates a delicate and elegiac atmosphere. Despite being a standout track on a multi-platinum album, “I Will Always” remains surprisingly underappreciated, but it undoubtedly deserves its place among the best Cranberries songs.
13. Promises
With the possible exception of “Zombie,” “Promises” is arguably The Cranberries at their most forceful. A highlight from their fourth album, Bury The Hatchet, this track features hard-edged, staccato guitars, a dramatic arrangement, and raw, divorce-themed lyrics. While its intensity might have seemed an unconventional choice for a single, it was widely praised and became a UK Top 20 hit, demonstrating the band’s ability to blend power with poignancy.
12. Analyse
Stephen Street, who produced Blur and Morrissey, also helmed The Cranberries’ first two albums. The band reunited with him for their fifth album, Wake Up And Smell The Coffee, in 2001. The lead single, “Analyse,” is a commanding and anthemic track that served as a powerful reminder of Dolores O’Riordan’s unique vocal talent. The song reaffirmed her position as one of the most distinctive female vocalists in contemporary music.
11. Just My Imagination
“Just My Imagination,” bright, poppy, and utterly captivating, was the final single from Bury The Hatchet. Featuring some of Dolores O’Riordan’s most optimistic lyrics (“I have always kept my faith in love/It’s the greatest thing from the man above”), it seemed destined for chart success. However, somewhat inexplicably, it did not achieve the commercial recognition it deserved, despite its undeniable catchiness and positive message.
10. Animal Instinct
Following the intensity surrounding To The Faithful Departed, The Cranberries took a well-deserved break. They returned in 1999 with Bury The Hatchet, focusing on their melodic strengths and innate musicality. During this hiatus, Dolores O’Riordan became a mother, and “Animal Instinct” explores themes of motherhood and personal transformation. This album highlight, chosen as a single, is among the best Cranberries songs, showcasing a more mature and reflective side of the band.
9. When You’re Gone
Widely considered the standout track from To The Faithful Departed, “When You’re Gone” is a yearning and bittersweet love song. It subtly incorporates soul and doo-wop influences, while its polished, radio-friendly production enhanced the band’s signature jangly pop sound. Each band member contributes effectively to the song’s impact, and Dolores O’Riordan delivers one of her most remarkable and emotionally charged vocal performances.
8. I Can’t Be With You
Despite being a minor hit, “I Can’t Be With You,” the final single from No Need To Argue, remains somewhat of an overlooked gem. Built upon chiming, cyclical chords and solid rock rhythms, the song’s lyrics are saturated with heartbreak (“Lying in my bed again/And I cry ’cause you’re not here”). It stands as a powerfully devastating song about separation and longing.
7. Yeats’ Grave
Overall, The Cranberries’ second album, No Need To Argue (1994), was notably more intense and rock-oriented than their debut. While not as overtly powerful as “Zombie,” the compelling “Yeats’ Grave” also makes a strong impact. A vivid tribute to the Irish poet William Butler Yeats, the lyrics touch upon Yeats’ complex relationship with Maud Gonne. Dolores O’Riordan even incorporates a reading from Yeats’ poem “No Second Troy” in the song’s middle section, adding a layer of literary depth.
6. Free To Decide
After the massive success of their first two albums, The Cranberries faced intense media scrutiny. The increasingly invasive tabloid attention prompted Dolores O’Riordan to respond with “Free To Decide” from To The Faithful Departed. The lyrics carry a clear sense of defiance and frustration (“You must have nothing more to do with your time/There’s a war in Russia and Sarajevo too”), aimed at intrusive media. The band’s performance is particularly robust and steely, perfectly complementing her assertive vocals.
5. Salvation
For their third album, To The Faithful Departed (1996), The Cranberries collaborated with renowned hard rock producer Bruce Fairbairn (known for his work with Aerosmith and Bon Jovi). While the album’s more mainstream rock sound initially divided critics, it was still a significant commercial success. The album features several of the band’s most enduring songs, including “Salvation,” a vital and energetic anti-drug anthem that showcases their ability to address serious topics within a rock framework.
4. Ode To My Family
“Ode To My Family,” the opening track of No Need To Argue, also reached the UK Top 30. More reminiscent of the band’s signature jangle-pop style, this wistful song is enhanced by a string arrangement composed by Dolores O’Riordan. The lyrics express a longing for the simpler, more carefree days of her childhood in Limerick (“Because we were raised to see life as fun and take it if we can”), contrasting with the complexities of fame.
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3. Linger
Also from their critically acclaimed 1993 debut, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, “Linger” was actually the first song Dolores O’Riordan and guitarist Noel Hogan wrote together. It became their first major international hit. Blessed with one of Dolores O’Riordan’s most enchanting vocal performances, this sensual pop song is further elevated by a lush string arrangement overseen by John Metcalfe, known for his work with Morrissey and Durutti Column. It remains a truly magical and enduring song.
2. Zombie
Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? established The Cranberries as masters of jangle-pop. However, they shifted gears dramatically with “Zombie,” an intense protest song against the conflict in Northern Ireland. Written in response to the deaths of Jonathan Ball and Tim Parry, young victims of an IRA bombing in Warrington in 1993, “Zombie” surprised some fans with its distorted guitars and heavier sound. However, its powerful message resonated universally, giving The Cranberries their first US No.1 and solidifying its place as one of their most iconic songs.
1. Dreams
Their debut single and arguably their signature song, “Dreams” provided The Cranberries with their commercial breakthrough and has since become a frequently used track in numerous films and TV shows. Producer Stephen Street described it as “a really good song with a real Gaelic twist.” “Dreams” tops our list of the best Cranberries songs and, to many, represents the pinnacle of chiming guitar-pop perfection. When Dolores O’Riordan sang “I want more, impossible to ignore,” the world wholeheartedly agreed, cementing “Dreams” as an unforgettable anthem.
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