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What You WereThe Cranberries

Released: March 1, 1993

Songwriter: Dolores O’Riordan

[Intro]
Now it's easy for to see
Why people's life are so lonely
And you never understood
You never really could, you were wrong

[Chorus]
What you were, what you were
I couldn't say
'Cause you left me here behind
A stupid state of mind, and I'm lonely

[Hook]
Yeah, you left me here behind
A stupid state of mind, and you're gone
'Cause you left me here behind
A stupid state of mind, and you're gone

[Chorus]
What you were, what you were
I couldn't say
It took something hard like this
Mistaken to resist, and I'm lonely

The Cranberries

The Cranberries were an Irish band who found major international success throughout the 1990s as a part of the alternative rock movement. The group’s lineup included Dolores O'Riordan (singer and songwriter), Noel Hogan (guitarist and songwriter), Mike Hogan (bassist) and Fergal Lawler (drummer). Originally formed in 1989 under the name The Cranberry Saw Us, the band released an independent EP in 1991 that caught the attention of the industry. SPIN Magazine described the band’s sound as “dreamy swirl pop, midway between The Smiths and the Cocteau Twins cradling the will-o’-the-wispy vocals of Dolores O’Riordan.”

In 1992, the band began recording their first album for Island Records with Stephen Street, a producer best known for working with The Smiths. Their debut, Everybody Else is Doing It So Why Can’t We?, was initially ignored when released in early 1993, and it wasn’t until that fall—after the band opened for Suede and Duran Duran on their US tours—that MTV picked up on their single “Linger”. The song eventually peaked at #4 on the US Pop chart in 1994, and the album sold five million copies. Success around the world followed.

Later that year, the band released their sophomore album No Need To Argue, which went on to sell 7 million copies in the US. The lead single, “Zombie,” was a departure from the wistful love songs the band was known for, showcasing aggressive distorted guitars and a bold political message. The song was an immediate smash, hitting at #1 in several countries and topping the US Modern Rock chart. The follow-up single “Ode To My Family,” was a top 40 hit as well.

more tracks from the album

Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (Super Deluxe)

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