Ode to My Family
♫ The Cranberries Lyrics

Doo doo doo do, doo doo doo do
The lyrics begin with a simple melody, perhaps symbolizing the simplicity of childhood.

Understand the things I say
The singer wants to be understood and heard by others.

Don't turn away from me
The singer desires connection and does not want to be ignored or rejected.

'Cause I've spent half my life out there
The artist has spent a significant portion of their life feeling disconnected and isolated from others.

You wouldn't disagree
The artist believes that others would not dispute that they have struggled to feel connected with others.

Do you see me, do you see?
The singer wants to know if anyone sees and acknowledges them.

Do you like me
The singer desires acceptance and approval from others.

Do you notice, do you know
The artist wants to be recognized and understood by others.

Does anyone care?
The artist questions whether anyone cares about them or their struggles.

Unhappiness where's when I was young
The artist experienced unhappiness when they were younger.

And we didn't give a damn
The singer and those around them did not care about their own happiness when they were younger.

'Cause we were raised
The artist attributes the lack of concern for happiness to their upbringing and societal norms.

To see life as fun and take it if we can
The singer's upbringing emphasized enjoying life and taking opportunities as they come.

My mother, my mother
The singer references their mother, perhaps suggesting that she was an important figure in their life.

She'd hold me
The singer remembers comfort and care from their mother.

My father, my father
The artist references their father, perhaps suggesting that he was also an important figure in their life.

He liked me, well he liked me
The artist remembers feeling liked and accepted by their father.

Understand what I've become
The singer believes that they have changed from their upbringing and want others to see them as they are now.

It wasn't my design
The singer believes that their current state was not entirely their choice or doing.

And people everywhere think
The artist feels judged by others or that they have a negative reputation.

Something better than I am
The artist believes that others think they should be something more or better than they currently are.

But I miss you, I miss
The artist misses the feeling of being liked and accepted by their family.

'Cause I liked it
The singer enjoyed feeling cared for and accepted by their family.

When I was out there
The artist remembers feeling disconnected and isolated when they were no longer around their family.

Do you know this, do you know
The singer wants others to understand and empathize with their feelings.

You did not find me
The singer believes that others did not try to reach out to them or understand their struggles.

Does anyone care?
The singer questions whether anyone cares about their struggles and feelings.

Does anyone care?
The repeated question emphasizes the artist's feeling of isolation and disconnection from others.