In the booklet of the album, Dolores wrote: “Twenty One“ was written on September 6th 1992. This is Dolores’ 21st birthday.
Twenty One
The Cranberries Lyrics
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You took my thoughts from me, now I want nothing more
And did you think you could just take it all away
I don't think it's happening, this is what I say
Leave me alone, leave me alone
Leave me alone 'cause I found it all
Twenty one, twenty one
So I don't think it's going to happen anymore
I don't think it's going to happen anymore
Twenty one, twenty one
Twenty one
Twenty one, twenty one
Twenty one
Today
Today
Today
Today
Twenty one, twenty one
Twenty one, twenty one
Twenty one, twenty one
Twenty one, twenty one
Twenty one, twenty one
Twenty one
Twenty one, twenty one
Twenty one
The Cranberries's song "Twenty One" is a melancholic ballad about loss and disappointment. The lyrics express the singer's feelings of resignation and bitterness towards someone who took something valuable from them, leaving them with nothing else to pursue. The repeated line "I don't think it's going to happen anymore" suggests a sense of finality and acceptance of the situation.
The verse refers to the person who took something away, asking them if they ever thought they could get away with it. The anger is palpable, and the chorus consists of the singer asking to be left alone because they have already found everything they were looking for, including themselves. The bridge switches to simply repeating the title of the song, and the final repetition of "Twenty One" is accompanied by the word "Today" which appears to suggest that the singer is ready to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't think it's going to happen anymore
I don't believe that what we had is possible again.
You took my thoughts from me, now I want nothing more
You've left me with nothing and I don't want anything else from you anymore.
And did you think you could just take it all away
Did you honestly believe that you could take everything from me and leave me with nothing?
I don't think it's happening, this is what I say
I don't think we're getting back together and this is my final word on the matter.
Leave me alone
I don't want to be bothered by you.
Leave me alone
I want to be left alone by you.
Leave me alone
Stop trying to contact me.
'Cause I found it all
I've discovered everything I need in life without you.
Twenty One
I'm not sure what this means specifically, but at this point she is repeating it to emphasize her point.
So I don't think it's going to happen anymore
I'm reiterating that I don't believe what we had is possible anymore.
Today
Right now.
Today
In this moment.
Today
At this time.
Today
Currently.
Twenty One
She repeats the phrase again to emphasize her point.
Twenty One
Again, she repeats the phrase to emphasize her point.
Twenty One
Another repetition to emphasize her point.
Twenty One
Again, she repeats the phrase to emphasize her point.
Twenty One
Another repetition to emphasize her point.
Twenty One
Another repetition to emphasize her point.
Twenty One
Another repetition to emphasize her point.
Twenty One
Another repetition to emphasize her point.
Twenty One
Another repetition to emphasize her point.
Twenty One
Another repetition to emphasize her point.
Twenty One
Another repetition to emphasize her point.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dolores Mary O'riordan, Noel Hogan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind