Linger (The Cranberries song)

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox song "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). Written 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.

"Linger", which has an acoustic arrangement featuring a string section, became the band's first major hit, peaking at number three in their native Ireland, number eight in the United States, and number 14 in the United Kingdom. Additionally, "Linger" was voted by Australian Triple J listeners as number three on the Triple J Hottest 100, 1993 chart.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The accompanying music video was directed by Melodie McDaniel and received heavy rotation on MTV as well as a nomination at the 1994 Billboard Music Video Awards.

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2017, an acoustic, stripped-down version of "Linger" was released as the lead single from the band's seventh studio album, Something Else.<ref name="pitchfork3-14-2017">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> "Linger" is written in the key of D major.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Drummer Fergal Lawler recalled the process in an interview, saying:

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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.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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".<ref name="nat post">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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

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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".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Martin Aston from Music Week gave it a score of four out of five, adding that it "combines a gorgeous, melting vocal from Dolores with a delicate folky melody."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Another Music Week editor, Alan Jones, named it a "delightful single", noting that "floating in on a breeze, it has a haunting, fragile quality and an almost country feel."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> 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".<ref name="Petrusich2018-01-18">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Andrew Harrison from Select wrote, "'Linger' has a lovely orchestra busying itself in the far distance and keeping the tune at arm's length, while Delores gets powerfully lovelorn. Could do with more pedal steel, though."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Tony Cross from Smash Hits gave it a top score of five out of five and named it Best New Single, adding, "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."<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> "Linger" was ranked at number 86 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Music video

The music video for "Linger", shot in black-and-white,<ref name="Avoldeo2017-11-25">Template:Cite news</ref> 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".<ref name="Petrusich2018-01-18"/><ref name="Avoldeo2017-11-25"/> In one of the rooms of the hotel, a silent film is being shown which features 1950s stripper and burlesque performer Blaze Starr.<ref name="Avoldeo2017-11-25"/>

"Linger" received heavy rotation on MTV in 1993.<ref name="Petrusich2018-01-18"/> It was also nominated for Best New Artist Clip of the Year in the category for Alternative/Modern Rock at the 1994 Billboard Music Video Awards.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Track listings

• UK 7-inch and cassette single<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

1. "Linger" (album version) – 4:33
2. "Reason" – 2:01

• UK 12-inch and CD single<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

1. "Linger" (single version) – 4:33
2. "Reason" – 2:01
3. "How" (Radical mix) – 2:56

• US and Canadian CD single<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

1. "Linger" – 4:34
2. "Liar" – 2:21
3. "Them" – 3:44
4. "Reason" – 2:01

• US cassette single<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

1. "Linger" – 4:34
2. "How" – 2:51

• UK 7-inch and cassette single (1994)<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

1. "Linger"
2. "Pretty"

• UK 10-inch EP (1994)<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

A1. "Linger" (live at The Record Plant, Hollywood)

A2. "I Still Do" (live at The Record Plant, Hollywood)

B1. "Waltzing Back" (live at The Record Plant, Hollywood)

B2. "Pretty" (live at The Record Plant, Hollywood)

• UK CD single (1994)<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

1. "Linger" (LP version) – 4:33
2. "Pretty" – 2:16
3. "Waltzing Back" (live at The Record Plant, Hollywood) – 4:01
4. "Pretty" (live at The Record Plant, Hollywood) – 2:11

Personnel

Personnel taken from Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? liner notes and Sound on Sound.<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The Cranberries

• Dolores O'Riordan – vocals, acoustic guitar, string synthesizer and string arrangements
• Noel Hogan – electric guitar
• Mike Hogan – bass guitar
• Fergal Lawler – drums, percussion

Additional musicians

• Louisa Fuller – violin
• Rick Koster – violin
• John Metcalfe – viola, string arrangements
• Sophie Harris – cello

Charts

Weekly charts

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1993–1994 weekly chart performance for "Linger"

Chart (1993–1994)	Peak position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	26
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	6
Netherlands (Single Top 100 Tipparade)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	7
UK Airplay (Music Week)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	7
US Cash Box Top 100<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	11

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2018 weekly chart performance for "Linger"

Chart (2018)	Peak position

Template:Single chart

2024 weekly chart performance for "Linger"

Chart (2024)	Peak position

Year-end charts

1993 year-end chart performance for "Linger"

Chart (1993)	Position
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	26

1994 year-end chart performance for "Linger"

Chart (1994)	Position
Brazil (Brazilian Radio Airplay)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	4
Canada Top Singles (RPM)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	47
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	68
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	68
UK Singles (OCC)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	74
US Billboard Hot 100<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	49

2024 year-end chart performance for "Linger"

Chart (2024)	Position
UK Singles (OCC)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	97

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Linger"

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Template:Abbr
United Kingdom	15 February 1993	Template:Hlist	Island	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Australia	17 May 1993	CD		<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
	30 May 1993	Cassette		<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
United Kingdom	31 January 1994	Template:Hlist		<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
	7 February 1994	10-inch vinyl		<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Other versions

American punk rock band Screeching Weasel covered "Linger" on their 1999 album Emo.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Australian rock band Royel Otis covered "Linger" on 9 April 2024 at the Sirius XM studio in New York City for the Alt Nation channel.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was released as a single on 31 May, and in August, it debuted at No. 94 on the Billboard Hot 100, the band's first song to do so. The cover was heavily used on TikTok.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>