O’Riordan leaves behind a solid body of musical work with The Cranberries, and five of her greatest recordings include the following songs: “Dreams,” “Zombie,” “Linger,” “Ode to My Family” and “Pretty.” She was a true trailblazer in the dream-pop genre of music.
In “Dreams,” one can enjoy her voice in its purest form: fragile, raw, authentic and simply ethereal. It was the band’s debut single in 1992.
“Linger,” an emotional song about regret for a failing romance, was another recording that catapulted them to international fame. It peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, where it stayed there for 24 weeks.
“Zombie” is their signature song, written solely by O’Riordan, that solidified the band as a global music phenom.
“Pretty” is one of those songs that is haunting and hypnotic at the same time.
She sings “Ode to My Family” as a soothing lullaby, which ought to be taken as a compliment. This youthful tune is about O’Riordan’s yearning for a simpler life after having commercial success. Its lyrics are warm and relatable.
Honorable mention: As a solo artist, her song “Ordinary Day” from her debut solo album, Are You Listening?, is quite extraordinary.
O’Riordan passed away suddenly at the age of 46 in London. In New York and the East Coast, several of music’s finest singer-songwriters, band and musicians took the time to pay their respects to the late Dolores O’Riordan.
R.I.P. Dolores O’Riordan. A floral tribute that was left next to her coffin by her band-mates Noel and Mike Hogan and Fergal Lawlor of The Cranberries read: “The song has ended, but the memories linger on.”
