Combining the melodic jangle of post-The Smiths indie pop with the lilting, trance-inducing sonic textures of late-80s dream pop and adding a slight Celtic tint, The Cranberries became one of the more successful groups to emerge from the indie scene of the early 90s. Led by vocalist Dolores O'Riordan, whose keening, powerful voice was the most distinctive element of the group's sound, the group initially made little impact in the United Kingdom.
It wasn't until the lush ballad "Linger" became an American hit in 1993 that the band also achieved mass success in the U.K. Following the success of "Linger", The Cranberries quickly became international stars, as both their 1993 debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?, and its 1994 follow-up, No Need to Argue, sold millions of copies and produced a string of hit singles like "Dreams", "Zombie" and "Ode to My Family".
By the time of their third album, 1996's To the Faithful Departed, the group had added distorted guitars to its sonic palette and attempted to make more socially significant music, which resulted in a downturn in the band's commercial fortunes.
During the next few years, the band cancelled a large tour and rumours of a breakup were widespread. In 1999, they released Bury the Hatchet to mixed reviews. In 2001, the band issued Wake Up and Smell the Coffee to rave reviews. The album debuted at number 46 in the US charts.
In 2002, The Cranberries released the compilation Stars: The Best of 1992-2002, which was supported by the single "Stars".
In 2003, The Cranberries announced they were taking some time to pursue individual careers. They decided to put the next album on hold. After more than a dozen years of relentless touring and promotion, which had seen them clocking up album sales in excess of 43 million and playing to hundreds of thousands of fans around the globe, the band decided it was time for a break.
In 2007, Dolores O'Riordan released her debut solo album titled Are You Listening?. Two years later she released her second solo album, No Baggage.
On 25 August 2009, Dolores O'Riordan announced that The Cranberries will be reuniting for a North American tour to begin in mid-November 2009, to be followed by dates in Europe in early 2010. O'Riordan indicated that the band will be playing songs from her solo albums and a lot of The Cranberries classic hits as well as some new music written by the group together.
The Cranberries recorded Roses at the Metalworks Studios in Toronto (Canada) from 18 April to 15 May 2011 with producer Stephen Street, who previously collaborated with the band on first, second and fifth albums. The Cranberries worked on 15 tracks during the Roses session, although not all will be included on the album. The album is scheduled for release on 14 February, 2012.
On 26 May 2016, the Cranberries announced that they would start their next tour in Europe. The first show was held on June 3.
A new "unplugged" Cranberries album titled Something Else, featuring the band's hits along with three new songs, was released on 28 April 2017 through BMG. The album received mostly positive reviews.
On 15 January 2018, lead singer Dolores O'Riordan was found dead of drowning in a London hotel room. The Cranberries confirmed in September 2018 that they would not continue as a band, releasing their final album In the End in April 2019 and disbanding afterward.Noel Hogan stated: "the Cranberries was the four of us. We don’t want to do this without Dolores. So we’re going to leave it after this."
The Cranberries' final album In the End has been nominated for Best Rock Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. The awards take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on January 26, 2020.
Official site: http://www.cranberries.com.
Bosnia
The Cranberries Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Life was so unfair
We live in our secure surroundings
And people die out there
Bosnia was so unkind
Sarajevo changed my mind
And we all call out in despair
All the love we need isn't there
Sarajevo erects an undertune
Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Sarajevo
Bosnia was so unkind
Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Sarajevo
Bosnia was so unkind
Sure things would change if we really wanted them to
No fear for children anymore
There are babies in their hands, terror in their heads
For life, for life
When do the saints go marching in?
When do the saints go marching in?
The Cranberries' song "Bosnia" is a powerful commentary on the atrocities of war and the need for love in times of despair. Lead singer Dolores O'Riordan sings about her personal experience visiting Bosnia and how it changed her perspective on life. She speaks of the unfairness of the situation where people are dying while others live in secure surroundings. O'Riordan talks about how Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, changed her mind and how the lack of love and compassion in that place was heart-wrenching. She describes how people sing songs in their rooms, but there is an undertone of sadness in Sarajevo because of the trauma people are experiencing. O'Riordan's repetition of "Sarajevo" emphasizes her emotional attachment to the city and the horrors she witnessed.
The chorus of the song gives hope that things would change if people truly wanted them to. It's a call to action for people to prioritize the lives of children, who are especially vulnerable to the horrors of war. The lyrics "There are babies in their hands, terror in their heads" paint a vivid picture of the innocent lives caught in the middle of conflict. The final lines of the song "When do the saints go marching in?" question the inaction of religious and political leaders who could potentially make a difference but choose not to.
Overall, "Bosnia" is a poignant and emotional song that sheds light on the devastating effects of war on innocent civilians. It's a reminder that love and compassion are necessary to heal the wounds of violence and trauma.
Line by Line Meaning
I would like to state my vision
The singer wants to express their opinion or belief.
Life was so unfair
The singer thinks life is unjust.
We live in our secure surroundings
The singer acknowledges their security in their home country.
And people die out there
The artist is aware of the suffering and death of people in other countries.
Bosnia was so unkind
The artist refers to the harshness experienced in Bosnia.
Sarajevo changed my mind
The singer's opinion about Sarajevo and its situation shifted.
And we all call out in despair
Everyone is crying out in sorrow and pain.
All the love we need isn't there
The artist feels a lack of love and compassion in the world.
And we all sing songs our rooms
People express their emotions through music in the comfort of their own space.
Sarajevo erects an undertune
Sarajevo displays a somber musical tone.
Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Sarajevo
The repetition of the city's name emphasizes its significance in the song.
Bosnia was so unkind
The artist reiterates the brutal nature of Bosnia.
Sure things would change if we really wanted them to
The singer believes that change is possible if people have the determination to make it happen.
No fear for children anymore
The singer hopes for a future where children no longer live in fear.
There are babies in their hands, terror in their heads
The children are exposed to danger and trauma.
For life, for life
The repetition of these words is a plea for the value of human life.
When do the saints go marching in?
This line suggests a desire for salvation or divine intervention.
When do the saints go marching in?
This line suggests a desire for salvation or divine intervention.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DOLORES MARY O'RIORDAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind