Dying in th sun
The Cranberries Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Do you remember
The things we used to say?
I feel so nervous
When I think of yesterday

How could I let things
Get to me so bad?
How did I let things get to me?

Like dying in the sun
Like dying in the sun
Like dying in the sun
Like dying x2

Will you hold on to me
I am feeling frail
Will you hold on to me
We will never fail





I wanted to be so perfect you see
I wanted to be so perfect

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Cranberries' song "Dying in the Sun" explore the feelings of regret and nostalgia associated with reflecting on one's past mistakes. The opening lines present a bittersweet image of looking back on happier times: "Do you remember the things we used to say? I feel so nervous when I think of yesterday." The singer is grappling with the realization that they have allowed their worries and anxieties to overtake them, leading to feelings of pain and regret.


The chorus of the song reinforces this theme through the metaphor of "dying in the sun." Just as a living organism withers and dies in the harsh glare of unfiltered sunlight, the singer perceives their own emotional pain as a slow, agonizing decline. Despite the grim imagery, there is a sense of hope in the repeated plea to "hold on" to something or someone. The singer acknowledges their own frailty but also expresses a desire for connection, for the reassurance that they will never truly be alone.


The closing lines of the song introduce a new layer of meaning to the lyrics, suggesting that the singer's regrets stem from an unhealthy perfectionism: "I wanted to be so perfect, you see / I wanted to be so perfect." In retrospect, the singer realizes that their obsession with being flawless has contributed to their current state of despair. The song serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of letting fear and insecurity rule one's life.


Line by Line Meaning

Do you remember
Asking someone if they remember events from the past


The things we used to say?
Asking if they recall conversations that the two of them shared


I feel so nervous
Expressing a sense of anxiety or unease


When I think of yesterday
Associating the feeling of nervousness with events from the past


How could I let things
Acknowledging a sense of personal responsibility for negative outcomes


Get to me so bad?
Reflecting on the intensity of one's emotional response to a situation


How did I let things get to me?
Questioning one's own ability to cope or handle difficult situations


Like dying in the sun
Metaphorically comparing the feeling of emotional pain to physical discomfort and suffering


Like dying in the sun
Reiterating the metaphor and emphasizing its importance to the song's message


Like dying in the sun
Continuing to drive home the metaphor and its emotional weight


Like dying x2
A final repetition of the metaphor before the song shifts its focus


Will you hold on to me
Making an emotional plea for support and comfort from another person


I am feeling frail
Admitting a sense of vulnerability or weakness


Will you hold on to me
Reiterating the request for emotional support and reassurance


We will never fail
Expressing hope and optimism for the future despite past struggles


I wanted to be so perfect you see
Acknowledging a desire for excellence or perfection, likely associated with the same past events mentioned earlier




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DOLORES MARY O'RIORDAN

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

Ciência no Bolso

Você se lembra
Das coisas que costumávamos dizer?
Eu me sinto tão nervosa
Quando eu penso no dia de ontem.

Como eu pude deixar as coisas
Deixarem a mim tão mal?
Como eu deixei as coisas
Atingirem a mim?

Como morrendo ao sol,
Como morrendo ao sol,
Como morrendo ao sol,
Como morrendo...

Você irá me segurar?
Eu estou me sentindo frágil.
Você irá me segurar?
Nós nunca iremos falhar.

Eu queria ser
Tão perfeita, entende?
Eu queria ser
Tão perfeita.

Como morrendo ao sol,
Como morrendo ao sol,
Como morrendo ao sol,
Como morrendo...



tropicwave1

Dying In The Sun
The Cranberries
Album: Bury The Hatchet

Do you remember
The things we used to say?
I feel so nervous
When I think of yesterday

How could I let things
Get to me so bad?
How did I let things get to me?

Like dying in the sun
Like dying in the sun
Like dying in the sun
Like dying
[x2]

Will you hold on to me
I am feeling frail
Will you hold on to me
We will never fail

I wanted to be so perfect you see
I wanted to be so perfect

Like dying in the sun
Like dying in the sun
Like dying in the sun
Like dying
[x2]

Written by Dolores Mary O'riordan • Copyright © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group
℗ 1999 The Island Def Jam Music Group



All comments from YouTube:

Athena Xy

this has always been one of my all time favorite songs. i used to play it when i was unable to fall asleep, or sometimes i'd just take a long walk on a rainy day while listening to this song. indulging in such a beautiful fantasy helps to ease my insomnia. it always reminds me of the good old days, makes me get lost in the beauty of nostalgia and imagination. thank you Dolores, i'll always miss your beautiful healing voice

Jay Orton

This is a really relaxing and soothing song. R.I.P Dolores.

Made Bali Visual

:(

Jin Liu

,:(

fongdel

The most emotional song from Cranberries. You will always be remembered :(

Calldy uk

This is just simply beautiful, gives me goosebumps every listen . 28 people have no soul.
So sad Dolores passing. The only famous person's death that hit me bad. R.I.P Dolores.

Amina Djaïb

I remember listening to this song for the first time about ten years ago and I also remember rushing to my mom just to tell her about it. It was probably the first sad song I ever heard in English and I thought it sounded heavenly.

Sasox

Amina Djaïb can we talk? Can we be friends?

giasemaki24

2020 and I still love her... And her music...

edson freitas

Ela era um anjo! O Criador que nos emprestou um pouquinho!! Caraca... Não poderia ser por mais tempo!!! Dolores O'riordan insubstituível e ETERNA.

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