In an interview given in April 1996 Dolores told “Joe was about my grandfather, who I loved dearly”.
CREDIT INFORMATION:
Music by Noel Hogan & Dolores O’ Riordan
Lyrics by Dolores O’ Riordan
Produced by Bruce Fairbairn and The Cranberries
Engineered and Mixed by Mike Plotnikoff
Recorded in November, December 1995 in Dublin, Ireland at Windmill Lane Studios
Orchestration written and arranged by Michael Kamen
Published by Island Music Ltd
Joe
The Cranberries Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Remember the time, it was a Friday
You made me feel fine, we did it my way
I sat on your knees every Friday
I still recall you.
I see you in summer
Joe, Joe
I sat on your chair by the fire
Precious years to remember
Childhood fears I surrender
I still recall you
I see you in summer
Joe, Joe
Interpreting the lyrics of "Joe" by The Cranberries is an insightful experience as the song is catchy yet thought-provoking. The lyrics depict a nostalgic feeling that is deeply rooted in the singer's memory of a person called Joe who made her feel loved and happy. The line "There was a time I was so lonely" suggests that the singer used to feel lonely, but Joe was a person who provided her with companionship and made her feel special. The line "You made me feel fine, we did it my way" shows the extent to which Joe was willing to make her happy, and the singer appreciated that.
The mention of "Friday" in the lyrics is significant as it highlights how much the singer looked forward to spending time with Joe. Even the way they spent time together, as depicted by the line "I sat on your knees every Friday," shows how much the singer enjoyed Joe's company. As the song progresses, the nostalgia continues as the singer recalls how Joe sat on his chair by the fire, and the singer was transfixed by Joe's gaze.
The lyrics "Precious years to remember, childhood fears I surrender" show the significance of Joe in the singer's life. It suggests that Joe was a confidante and also played a significant role in alleviating the singer's childhood fears. The last two lines, "I still recall you, I see you in summer," suggest that although Joe is not around anymore, the singer still remembers him fondly.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a time I was so lonely
I used to feel very alone and isolated at some point in my life
Remember the time, it was a Friday
I can still recall that moment like it was just yesterday, it was a Friday
You made me feel fine, we did it my way
You made me feel really good, and we did things in a way that I liked
I sat on your knees every Friday
I used to sit on your knees every Friday
I still recall you.
I still remember you very vividly
I see you in summer
Sometimes, memories of you appear in my mind during summertime
Joe, Joe
Calling out your name, Joe
I sat on your chair by the fire
I used to sit on your chair close to the fire
Transfixed in a stare, taking me higher
I was lost in my thoughts, and it made me feel really good about myself
Precious years to remember
Those years were so special to me, and I'll always cherish them
Childhood fears I surrender
I let go of all my childhood fears when I was with you
I still recall you
You're still etched in my memory, and I often think about you
I see you in summer
Even after all these years, thoughts of you still visit me in summertime
Joe, Joe
Still calling out your name, Joe
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NOEL ANTHONY HOGAN, DOLORES MARY O'RIORDAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mariuszwiesiolek9340
There was a time I was so lonely
Remember the time, it was a Friday
You made me feel fine, we did it my way
I sat on your knees every Friday
I still recall you.
I see you in summer
Joe, Joe
I sat on your chair by the fire
Transfixed in a stare, taking me higher
Precious years to remember
Childhood fears I surrender
I still recall you
I see you in summer
Joe, Joe
@alexblack43
Now Dololes is somewhere in the heaven with her grandfather Joe... And I am cryring :(
@cheykurilla1081
i know this song is personally about her grandfather, but it reminds me of the love of my life named joe, who we’ve separated ways and never will meet again... i still recall you joe.
@tanyikwah5806
In my opinion, this is one of the top ten songs of The Cranberries.
@ITChannel1
I miss it song too
@fedoramcclaren4294
I wholeheartedly concur!!!
@weddingdayrecords9550
Agree
@crisseastcoast
Agreed!
@crisseastcoast
Agreed
@kubaw8709
I hope Dolores you met finally your grandpa Joe in heaven. R.I.P. my sweet voice.
@damian-795
What a lovely thing to say, I sure she has x