The Cranberries - No Need to Argue

For the first entry today, we will be looking at the classic No Need to Argue (The Complete Sessions 1994-1995) by the Cranberries

No Need To Argue (October 3, 1994)

The Cranberries were an Irish rock band who rose to fame in the 90’s with members Dolores O’Riordan, Noel Hogan, Mike Hogan, and Fergal Lawler. Although, they really need no introduction because of how well known they are. No Need to Argue is the band’s sophomore album and includes many famous tracks like “Zombie” and “Ode to my Family.” Although their first album Everybody Else is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? was filled with dark themes and songs addressing love and loss, No Need to Argue is known for its harsh and even darker themes displayed throughout the album.

Dolores O’Riordan wrote this entire album with intent to talk about the dark and sad things she saw happening in her home country as well as the complexities of relationships. With songs like “Zombie” and “The Icicle Melts” any listener can hear the moodiness of this album.

“Zombie” is a track often overlooked because of how popular it is. However, it discusses the issue of an internal war within Ireland regarding becoming a united nation or remaining in the UK. The band wrote this song specifically after a bombing in 1993 that took the lives of 2 children. They plead for the end to the decades of violence and pain inflicted onto innocent people.

Similarly, is “The Icicle Melts” which discusses the kidnapping and murder of a 2-year-old boy in Ireland. O’Riordan explained herself how innocent she felt kids were and could not understand how anyone would harm them. She was known to always speak her mind within music. If she had something to say, she would say it.

My personal favorite songs off this album are “Everything I Said” and “Dreaming my Dreams” which tie into this idea of complex relationships.

“Everything I Said” discusses communicating within a relationship; being able to show your true emotions and feelings even if it means heartbreak. O’Riordan is pleading with her partner to see how serious their relationship truly is, “’Cos if I died tonight/Would you hold my hand, no/Would you understand/And if I lied in spite/Would you still be here, no/Would you disappear?” This specific part of the song where she is questioning their love then leads into the eventual heartbreak faced, “Surely must be you/Surely must be you/But I don’t make you lonely/I’ll get over you/I’ll get over you/But I don’t make you lonely.” She is facing heartbreak head on and sort of reassuring herself that she will be okay. The dark themes however of this song, do not carry into “Dreaming my Dreams.”

This song is much lighter and embodies the idea of feeling at home with a person. O’Riordan sings about wanting no other place to be than dreaming her dreams besides the person she loves. The track is soft, slow, but bright in comparison to the rest of the album. O’Riordan once said in an interview with the Irish Times that this was the only track that reflected her “new life.”

The extended version of this album also includes 3 original songs, an MTV unplugged performance, and a cover of (They Long to Be) Close to You.

This record remains as the band’s best-selling album and will forever be iconic due to the cultural impact “Zombie” and “Ode to my Family” have had within the music scene. Although Dolores O’Riordan has sadly passed away and the band no longer makes music, the Cranberries have cemented themselves as one of the main faces of alternative rock.

Thank you for reading! Join me next week to discuss a new album. Happy New Year.