The Cranberries were an Irish alternative rock band formed in Limerick in 1989. In a time when rock seemed to be the most popular and prevalent of genres, The Cranberries’ unique mixture of sounds brought something brand new to the table. Their dynamic sound—thanks to the combination of singer Dolores O’Riordan’s thick accent with jangly, dreamy instrumentals—was pretty unheard of at the time.
Their debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? was released in 1993 and met with lukewarm attention. The band continued to preform at small gigs and promote their album along the way, but things started to change when the music video for “Linger” caught MTV’s eye.
It was added into MTV’s video rotation in 1994. Thanks to the channel’s huge audience, it wasn’t long before popularity ensued. Ranging from Ireland all the way to the US, The Cranberries had finally been put on the map.
One year after its release, “Linger” had become a consistent track on radio stations across the US. It remained on the charts for 24 weeks, reaching No. 3 in Ireland and No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
From hit song to viral meme inspo
But three decades later, after a brief hiatus and the tragic passing of lead singer Dolores, a seemingly random viral tweet made in March of 2023 launched The Cranberries and their top 10 hit back into popularity.
Slowly but surely, memes about “letting it linger” flooded users’ timelines. Instagram and TikTok followed suit. “Linger” is an emotional heartbreak ballad but the memes are far from soul-crushing. Ranging from lyrics juxtaposed onto selfies to videos of people like DJ Khaled or Jan from The Office dancing along, there’s no shortage of creativity when it comes to letting it linger.
The Cranberries joined in on the fun, joining TikTok in late July. A video posted in August featured the iconic music video and a caption that paid homage to Linger’s roots:
“Before it was a viral tik tok sound, it was an MTV classic.”
The absurdity of how an Irish rock band from the 90s found themselves in a flurry of memes and tweets is quite unexplainable, but a blessing in disguise. For younger generations who weren’t around to see The Cranberries’ original rise to popularity, this recent revival opens the door to new (old) music. Irish rock might not be the most mainstream genre, but when your feed is full of lingering, who wouldn’t want to try it?
How Exactly To Linger
If you, like me, have found yourself unexplainably drawn to the memes of a song that’s thirty years old, I recommend you check out the rest of their eight albums. “When You’re Gone”, “Ode To My Family, and “Sunday” all share similar vibes to Linger’s ethereal feel.
Looking for more of an anthem? “Zombie” might suit your fancy. “Dreams” is another chart-topper, perfect for anyone who wants to relive falling in love for the first time. Something Else is what I currently have on repeat; it features “unplugged” versions of their top songs. You can check out their Spotify here.
Whatever the mood, The Cranberries have a song for you. Whether you want to jam out or shed a few heartbreak-ridden tears, dreamy lyrics coupled with O’Riordan’s angelic voice make for magnetic listening.
