09. Just My Imagination
The Cranberries Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

There was a game we used to play
We would hit the town on Friday night
Stay in bed until Sunday
We used to be so free
We were living for the love we had
Living not for reality

Just my imagination
Just my imagination
Just my imagination
It was
Just my imagination
Just my imagination
Just my imagination
It was

There was a time I used to pray
I have always kept my faith in love
It's the greatest thing from the man above
The game I used to play
I've always put my cards upon the table
Never be said that I'd be unstable

Just my imagination
Just my imagination
Just my imagination
It was
Just my imagination
Just my imagination
Just my imagination
It was

There is a game I like to play
I like to hit the town on Friday night
And stay in bed until Sunday
We'll always be this free
We will be living for the love we have
Living not for reality

It's not my imagination
Not my imagination
Not my imagination
It was
Not my imagination
Not my imagination
Not my imagination
It was
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
It was
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my

It was
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
It was
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my




Not my
Not my

Overall Meaning

The Cranberries' song "Just My Imagination" is a reflection on the carefree days of youth and the idealized memories that remain. The lyrics describe a game the singer used to play with another person where they would go out on Friday nights and stay in bed until Sunday. It was a time when they were free and living for the love they shared, existing in their own reality even as life marched on around them. The song also touches on the idea of faith in love, something the singer has always believed in, calling it "the greatest thing from the man above." Ultimately, the song questions whether these memories are just flights of fancy, simply the imagination playing tricks on the mind, or if they were truly as idyllic as they seem.


Line by Line Meaning

There was a game we used to play
In the past, we had a specific activity we would engage in regularly


We would hit the town on Friday night
On Friday nights, we would go out and enjoy the city


Stay in bed until Sunday
We would spend the weekend relaxing and sleeping in


We used to be so free
During this time, we had a sense of liberty and lack of inhibition


We were living for the love we had
Our happiness was derived from our romantic relationship


Living not for reality
We were more focused on our personal happiness than on the external world


Just my imagination
I initially believed that the positive experiences we had were illusions


There was a time I used to pray
At one point, I regularly engaged in religious practices


I have always kept my faith in love
Despite other changes, I have continued to believe in the power of love


It's the greatest thing from the man above
Love is seen as the most significant gift from a higher power


The game I used to play
This specific activity that brought me joy in the past


I've always put my cards upon the table
I am straightforward and honest in my expressions and intentions


Never be said that I'd be unstable
I want to maintain a reputation of being dependable and steadfast


There is a game I like to play
Currently, I have a preferred activity I regularly engage in


We'll always be this free
I have found a sense of freedom in my current relationship


We will be living for the love we have
Our happiness and fulfillment comes from our romantic partnership


It's not my imagination
I have come to realize that my current happiness is not a fantasy


Not my imagination
Repeating the point that current happiness is not an illusion


Not my
Continuing to repeat the point


It was
Confirming the belief that the positive experiences in the present are real




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Noel Anthony Hogan, Dolores Mary O'Riordan

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@carmenleal6739

There was a game we used to play
We would hit the town on Friday night
Stay in bed until Sunday
We used to be so free
We were living for the love we had
Living not for reality

Just my imagination
Just my imagination
Just my imagination
It was
Just my imagination
Just my imagination
Just my imagination
It was

There was a time I used to pray
I have always kept my faith in love
It's the greatest thing from the man above
The game I used to play
I've always put my cards upon the table
Never be said that I'd be unstable

Just my imagination
Just my imagination
Just my imagination
It was
Just my imagination
Just my imagination
Just my imagination
It was

There is a game I like to play
I like to hit the town on Friday night
And stay in bed until Sunday
We'll always be this free
We will be living for the love we have
Living not for reality

It's not my imagination
Not my imagination
Not my imagination
It was
Not my imagination
Not my imagination
Not my imagination
It was
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
It was
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my

It was
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
It was
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my
Not my



All comments from YouTube:

@sowick

See you later, Dolores! Thanks for everything <3

@Hnzuu

Sowick This is breaking my heart. Such a big part of my life. I've come back to many of their songs again and again, year after year. 💔 Too young to go.

@josejuanguardado

Just see you later

@yurilonobile5221

a sad day.

@sergiosorbet2690

Hasta siempre Dolores!Un día muy triste!

@andreamagurno3153

Sowick 😭😭😢😢😢

64 More Replies...

@kennygr8ify

Dolores has such a beautiful voice, it's so sad we lost her! 💔😢

@dianalarrea4216

It still breaks my heart. 😭💔

@tomspence8506

@Diana Larrea I agree with you both ken karwoski and Diana Larrea, but she is still alive in the memories of millions of cranberries fans worldwide and she always will be!

@kauthaarjulius

@Tom Spence True what you say it just very sad that she's not with us anymore 😢😢😢

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