Like so many other bands that emerged in the early ’90s, music of The Cranberries has been classified as “alternative,” “alternative rock,” “alternative pop” and “modern rock.” I’m not so sure that any of those labels really fit. None of those terms truly encompasses the depth, sublime nature, or popularity of The Cranberries’ music
The Cranberries’ music has been enjoyed by people all over the world. They have made their way onto top 40 charts and similar charts in various countries. While they have not released a studio album since 2003’s Wake Up & Smell the Coffee, the music of The Cranberries is timeless. It’s also been called ethereal, trance-like and surreal. The Cranberries have been compared to The Smiths, The Sundays, and Sinead O’Connor. [Note: “The Millennium Collection: The Best of the Cranberries, a compilation album of remastered songs, was released in 2005.]
Here are my favorite top 10 songs by The Cranberries.
1. Dreams off of Dreams is only one of the The Cranberries’ top songs on their Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, (1993) album. In this song, the voice oflead singer Dolores O’Riordan sounds like the love child between Aimee Mann and Sinead O’Connor. I have heard more than one person refer to Dreams as “perfect.”
2. How off of
3. Linger off of Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, 1993. Linger is a prime example of sample how The Cranberries make music that is both beautiful and sad.
4. I Can’t Be With You off of No Need to Argue, 1994. This top song by The Cranberries is absolutely enchanting. O’Riordan’s accent sounds so cute at some points in the song. Sorry, but it does.
5. Wanted off of Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, 1993. Wanted is moody and slightly defeatist about love, however,
O’Riordan shows her strength as a woman in these lyrics:
“…you knew that you were someone special
right form the start
but if you treat me badly
we’d be better off apart…”
“…you knew that you were someone special
right form the start
but if you treat me badly
we’d be better off apart…”
6. Pretty off of Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, 1993. Pretty is a lovely song that is ambient enough to put you in pre-sleep mode.
7. Still Can’t off of Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, 1993. This top song by The Cranberries is another upbeat song with not the happiest of lyrics. The anger of jilted lover again, recalls Alanais Morissette, except this song has a lush quality rather than a harsh edge.
8. Salvation off of To the Faithful Departed, 1996. Salvation is an anti-drug song by The Cranberries. While the lyrics are transparent and more painfully obvious then their other songs, this top song by The Cranberries is irresistible. Ironically, The Cranberries’ Salvation sounds like The Cranberries hyped up on caffeine and you are practically forced into jumping around and dancing when you hear it.
“…To all those people doing lines, don’t do it, don’t do it
Inject your soul with liberty, it’s free, it’s free…”
9. Zombie off of No Need to Argue, 1994. Although it suffered from radio overkill in its day, this top song by The Cranberries still carries the same weight and political message as it did when it was released. O’Riordan’s passion and accent come out on this song.
10. This is the Day off of Wake Up and Smell the Coffee, 2001.
Who Are The Cranberries?
The dreamy voice of The Cranberries and its principal songwriter is Dolores O’Riordan. She also plays keyboards and guitar. Brothers Mike and Noel Anthony Hogan guitar and bass guitar, respectively. The drummer for The Cranberries is Fergal Patrick Lawler.
The Cranberries have recorded the following studio albums:
Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, 1993
No Need to Argue, 1994
To the Faithful Departed 1996
Bury the Hatchet 1999
Wake Up and Smell the Coffee 2001
Enjoy these top 10 songs by The Cranberries or pick your own top list from their albums.
