Songwriter: Noel Hogan Dolores O’Riordan

[Verse 1]
Tell me I'm not good enough
You tell me I'm a bore
But I don't have to tolerate your insults anymore
I just wanna be with someone else instead of you
'cause every time you speak to me you tell me what to do

[Chorus]
Tell me what to do, oh
You tell me what to do
Tell me what to do, oh
You tell me what to do

[Verse 2]
Oh, I remember in the school yard when you asked me out
I didn't really realize what living was about
I was just sixteen years old when I married you
And now it's just a stupid mess, I don't know what to do

[Chorus]
I don't know what to do, oh
I don't know what to do
Don't know what to do, oh
I don't know what to do

[Bridge]
I don't know what's bothering you
But lately I'm so sickened by you
I don't know what's bothering you
'cause lately you just tell me what to do

[Chorus]
You tell me what to do, oh
You tell me what to do
Tell me what to do, oh
You tell me what to do

[Verse 3]
That was all some time ago, by hell I should've known
And even though I lived with you, I'm living on my own
There's no one left to talk to now, there's just no getting through
'cause every time you speak to me you tell me what to do

[Chorus]
Don't tell me what to do, oh
Don't tell me what to do
Tell me what to do, oh
Tell me what (to do)

[Bridge]
I don't know what's bothering you (Don't tell me what to do, oh)
But lately I'm so sickened by you (Don't tell me what to do)
I don't know what's bothering you (Don't tell me what to do, oh)
'cause lately you just tell me what to do (Don't tell me what to do)

[Outro]
You tell me what to do, oh
Tell me what to do

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.