“Linger” is a 1993 breakthrough hit by The Cranberries from their debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?, written by Dolores O’Riordan and Noel Hogan. The track originated as the band’s first collaborative composition, with Hogan composing the simple four-chord guitar progression and O’Riordan adding the melody and lyrics during her audition for the lead vocalist role.
The song’s lyrics were inspired by O’Riordan’s teenage heartbreak, specifically a painful encounter at a Limerick nightclub called Madonna’s where she experienced unrequited love and public rejection. Although the band recorded the song in 1990, it was initially held back by Island Records; it became an international smash hit in 1993–1994 after gaining traction on US college radio and receiving heavy rotation on MTV.
[Intro]
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Mm-mmm
[Verse 1]
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 ruinin’ everything
And 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 lyin’ all the time? Was it just a game to you?
[Chorus]
But I’m in so deep
You know I’m such a fool for you
You got me wrapped around your finger
Do you have to let it linger?
Do you have to, do you have to, do you have to let it linger?
[Verse 2]
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
[Chorus]
And I’m in so deep
You know I’m such a fool for you
You got me wrapped around your finger
Do you have to let it linger?
Do you have to, do you have to, do you have to let it linger?
[Instrumental Break]
[Chorus]
And I’m in so deep
You know I’m such a fool for you
You got me wrapped around your finger
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
Do you have to let it linger?
Do you have to, do you have to, do you have to let it linger?
