Cranberries
Various Artists Lyrics


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If you, if you could return, don't let it burn, don't let it fade.

I'm sure I'm not being rude, but it's just your attitude,
It's tearing me apart, It's ruining everything.

I swore, I swore I would be true, and honey, so did you.
So why were you holding her hand? Is that the way we stand?
Were you lying all the time? Was it just a game to you?

But I'm in so deep. You know I'm such a fool for you.
You got me wrapped around your finger, ah, ha, ha.
Do you have to let it linger? Do you have to, do you have to,
Do you have to let it linger?

Oh, I thought the world of you.
I thought nothing could go wrong,
But I was wrong. I was wrong.
If you, if you could get by, trying not to lie,
Things wouldn't be so confused and I wouldn't feel so used,
But you always really knew, I just wanna be with you.

But I'm in so deep. You know I'm such a fool for you.
You got me wrapped around your finger, ah, ha, ha.
Do you have to let it linger? Do you have to, do you have to,
Do you have to let it linger?

And I'm in so deep. You know I'm such a fool for you.
You got me wrapped around your finger, ah, ha, ha.
Do you have to let it linger? Do you have to, do you have to,
Do you have to let it linger?

You know I'm such a fool for you.
You got me wrapped around your finger, ah, ha, ha.

Do you have to let it linger? Do you have to, do you have to,
Do you have to let it linger?

Overall Meaning

The song "Linger" by The Cranberries is about a relationship that has ended, but the singer is still deeply in love and wishes for the past to return. The lyrics suggest that the reason for the relationship's demise was due to the other party's infidelity. The singer is hurt and confused, wondering if their partner was lying all along or if it was just a game. The chorus repeats the question of whether the partner needs to let the relationship linger, which could be interpreted as either begging for reconciliation or urging for a clean break.


The first verse expresses the singer's frustration with the other party's attitude, which is tearing them apart. The second verse reveals that the singer was faithful and thought highly of their partner, but the illusion was shattered when they saw them holding another's hand. Despite feeling used and confused, the singer still expresses their desire to be with their partner.


The song is a classic love ballad that showcases Dolores O'Riordan's emotive vocals and the band's signature blend of rock and pop. "Linger" was a hit single for The Cranberries, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning critical acclaim. The song has remained a beloved classic and was even covered by Adele during a live performance.


Line by Line Meaning

If you, if you could return, don't let it burn, don't let it fade.
The singer is asking the person they're singing to not to let the relationship they once had fade away into nothingness. They're pleading for the person to find a way back to them.


I'm sure I'm not being rude, but it's just your attitude, It's tearing me apart, It's ruining everything.
The singer is frustrated with the person they're singing to. They believe that the person's negative attitude is destroying their relationship.


I swore, I swore I would be true, and honey, so did you. So why were you holding her hand? Is that the way we stand? Were you lying all the time? Was it just a game to you?
The singer is accusing the person they're singing to of cheating on them by holding another woman's hand. They're questioning why the person would do that if they had both made promises to be faithful to each other.


But I'm in so deep. You know I'm such a fool for you. You got me wrapped around your finger, ah, ha, ha. Do you have to let it linger? Do you have to, do you have to, Do you have to let it linger?
The artist is admitting that they're still deeply in love with the person they're singing to, even though they know they shouldn't be. They feel like the other person has control over them and they're wondering if they need to continue to hold onto their love or let it go.


Oh, I thought the world of you. I thought nothing could go wrong, But I was wrong. I was wrong.
The artist is admitting that they had very high hopes for their relationship with the person they're singing to. They believed that nothing could come between them, but they were proven wrong.


If you, if you could get by, trying not to lie, Things wouldn't be so confused and I wouldn't feel so used, But you always really knew, I just wanna be with you.
The singer is asking the person they're singing to to stop lying to them. They believe that if the person could be honest and true to them, things wouldn't be as complicated and they wouldn't feel so hurt and used. Despite everything, the singer still wants to be with the other person.


And I'm in so deep. You know I'm such a fool for you. You got me wrapped around your finger, ah, ha, ha. Do you have to let it linger? Do you have to, do you have to, Do you have to let it linger?
The singer is repeating that they're deeply in love with the person they're singing to, and that the other person has control over them. They again ask if they need to continue to hold onto their love or let it go.


You know I'm such a fool for you. You got me wrapped around your finger, ah, ha, ha. Do you have to let it linger? Do you have to, do you have to, Do you have to let it linger?
The artist reiterates that they've been foolishly in love with the person they're singing to and that the other person has control over their emotions. They again ask if they need to continue to hold onto their love or let it go.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

@davidmartinez2510

Such a sweet video, we miss you so much Dolores RIP 😢

@Émi-wild

in your heart every one...

@GilRedGraveSSS

What? She's dead?

@jimratzlaff3683

She lives on through her music. Such a beautiful person gone to heaven

@Nitroalice

@@GilRedGraveSSSyes google it😢, die of her own success. I miss her so much

@GilRedGraveSSS

@Nitroalice  Yeah, such a beautiful angelic woman...

10 More Replies...

@mckalyoncu

it's my favorite song.

@DianaMcFuckbottom

Hey same!

@scoremia

me too

@vivresavie_

same ❤

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