Upon its release, the song peaked at number four in Poland and Norway, going Platinum in the latter country, and reached number 15 in Canada. It additionally peaked within the top thirty in France, Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States. In 2017, the song was released as an acoustic, stripped-down version on the band's Something Else album. The song was played at the end of Dolores O'Riordan's funeral on 23 January 2018, following her sudden death a week before in London at the age of 46. It was also played by the majority of Irish radio stations at the same time during the funeral.
When Y're Gone
The Cranberries Lyrics
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And from above everything's stinking, they're not around you
And in the night, I could be helpless
I could be lonely, sleeping without you
And in the day, everything's complex
There's nothing simple when I'm not around you
That is what I do, hey, baby
And it's going to carry on
That is what I do, hey, baby
Hold onto my hands, I feel I'm sinking, sinking without you
And to my mind, everything's stinking, stinking without you
And I'll miss you when you're gone
That is what I do, hey, baby
And it's going to carry on
That is what I do, hey, baby
Hey, baby
, baby
It's hard to carry on, that is what I do, hey baby
Don't discard me, just because you've heard my warning
Rendered unimportant, by all your friends and your foes
The singer of The Cranberries' song When Y're Gone appears to be speaking to a former lover, expressing the intense feelings of loneliness and helplessness that have taken over since they've been departed. The lyrics portray someone who has come to the understanding that they need love to hold onto life, and so hold on to love they must, but it's difficult to do so without the person they love. The sense of desperation to be with the other person again is palpable throughout the song, as the singer says it's hard to carry on without them. They seem to be asking the former lover to hold their hands and save them, because without them, they feel they are sinking, and everything is stinking without them.
The lyrics also show the complexity of life without the former lover, represented by the complexity of the day. To the singer, nothing is simple when they're not around, and they feel helpless and lonely at night when they're not there. The realization of how much they've come to rely on the other person is evident, as they recount how they used to slip without them. They miss the former lover every day when they're gone, and it's hard to keep going when they're not around. The singer then makes a plea to not be discarded and overlooked, despite the now perceived vulnerability in acknowledging their love and dependence.
Line by Line Meaning
Give it up
Let go of the pain and move forward
Hold on to love, that is what I do
I strive to keep our love alive
Now that I've found you
Since I have you, everything is better
And from above, everything's stinking
Life is difficult without you
They're not around you
I miss you when you're not here
And in the night I could be helpless
I feel weak and alone without you
I could be lonely slipping without you
I fear losing you and being alone
And in the day, everything's complex
Life is confusing and overwhelming without you
There's nothing simple when I'm not around you
My life is more complicated without you
But I miss you, when you're gone
I long for your presence when you're not here
That is what I do, hey baby, baby
My heart aches for you
It's hard to carry on, that is what I do, hey baby
I struggle with your absence, but I keep trying
Hold on to my hands
I need you to hold onto me
I feel I'm sinking, sinking without you
I am lost and helpless without you
And to my mind, everything's stinking
My thoughts are clouded and negative without you
Stinking without you
I feel empty and alone without you
Hey baby
I miss you more than I can express
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dolores Mary O'Riordan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind