The Cranberries – Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? (1993): The Iconic Irish Alt-Rock Debut
Released in 1993, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? is the debut studio album by The Cranberries, the Irish alternative rock band that would become one of the defining acts of the 1990s. Known for their dreamy melodies, jangly guitars, and the ethereal yet powerful vocals of Dolores O’Riordan, the album blends alternative rock, jangle pop, and Celtic influences, creating a sound that resonated worldwide.
The album propelled The Cranberries from Limerick, Ireland to international stardom, featuring songs that became anthems of a generation and securing the band’s place in 90s alternative rock history.
Band Background and Formation
The Cranberries formed in 1989 in Limerick, Ireland under the original name The Cranberry Saw Us, before shortening it to The Cranberries in 1990. The classic lineup included:
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Dolores O’Riordan – vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar
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Noel Hogan – lead guitar
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Mike Hogan – bass guitar
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Fergal Lawler – drums
O’Riordan joined the band in 1990, bringing a distinctive voice, melodic sensibility, and songwriting talent that would define their sound. By 1993, after signing with Island Records, the band released their debut album, immediately capturing international attention.
Musical Style and Sound
Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? is characterized by:
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Dreamy, atmospheric guitar work with layered textures
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Ethereal yet emotive vocals by Dolores O’Riordan
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Folk-influenced melodies and Celtic-inspired phrasing
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Alternative rock structures with pop sensibilities
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Introspective and socially aware lyrics
The album balances gentle, melodic ballads with anthemic rock tracks, combining accessibility with emotional depth, and establishing a blueprint for 90s alternative rock.
Tracklist Overview
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Dreams
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Sunday
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Pretty
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Waltzing Back
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Not Sorry
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Linger
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I Still Do
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Wanted
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How
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Zombie
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Them
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Strange Fruits
The album mixes introspective ballads, light rockers, and emotionally charged songs, giving it a cohesive yet dynamic feel.
Standout Tracks
“Linger”
A breakout single, “Linger” features lush string arrangements, melodic hooks, and heartfelt lyrics about love and regret. It became one of the band’s signature songs and remains a timeless 90s classic.
“Dreams”
An uplifting, jangly pop-rock track with ethereal vocals and memorable melodies, “Dreams” introduced the world to O’Riordan’s vocal range and emotional expressiveness.
“Zombie”
While included as a later single, the original sessions of the debut album laid the groundwork for politically charged anthems, though “Zombie” was fully released on their follow-up album (No Need to Argue, 1994).
Note: Early demos for “Zombie” inspired the band’s socially conscious trajectory.
Lyrical Themes
The album explores themes of:
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Love, heartbreak, and longing (Linger, Dreams)
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Self-discovery and personal reflection (Sunday, Pretty)
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Social awareness and empathy (Strange Fruits)
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Nostalgia and identity
O’Riordan’s poetic and evocative lyrics, paired with melodic instrumentation, create an emotional resonance that transcends the era.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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The album title, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?, reflects the band’s playful and self-aware attitude about entering the music industry.
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Dolores O’Riordan co-wrote all of the album’s tracks, showcasing her lyrical and melodic prowess at a young age.
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The album was produced by Stephen Street, who also worked with The Smiths and Blur, giving it a polished yet alternative edge.
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“Linger” was inspired by O’Riordan’s early romantic experiences, blending personal narrative with universal appeal.
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The album cover features a vintage, dreamlike aesthetic, complementing the band’s ethereal sound.
Did You Know?
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Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? became one of the fastest-selling debut albums by an Irish band in the 1990s.
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The album achieved multi-platinum status in both the UK and the U.S., eventually selling over 5 million copies worldwide.
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Dolores O’Riordan’s vocal style—harsh yet melodic yodel-like delivery mixed with soft tones—became the band’s signature.
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Many of the tracks were initially written when O’Riordan was in her late teens, demonstrating her early songwriting maturity.
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The album’s singles helped establish The Cranberries as pioneers of melodic alternative rock, bridging folk sensibility and mainstream pop.
Commercial Performance and Top-Selling Albums
Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? was an international success, charting in multiple countries and reaching:
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UK Albums Chart: #1
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US Billboard 200: Top 20
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Canada RPM Albums Chart: Top 10
Top-selling and essential albums by The Cranberries include:
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Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? (1993) – Debut, breakthrough success
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No Need to Argue (1994) – Featuring “Zombie”
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To the Faithful Departed (1996) – Mature alternative rock sound
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Bury the Hatchet (1999) – Reflective and melodic
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Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001) – Later career exploration
Cultural Impact and Legacy
The album established The Cranberries as one of the most influential Irish bands of the 1990s, influencing:
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Female-fronted alternative rock acts
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90s melodic alternative and jangle-pop movements
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Integration of folk elements into mainstream rock
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Songwriting that blends introspection with commercial appeal
Its enduring appeal lies in Dolores O’Riordan’s vocal power, lyrical depth, and the band’s melodic craftsmanship, making it a touchstone of 90s alternative music.
Most Famous Songs by The Cranberries
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Linger
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Dreams
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Zombie
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Ode to My Family
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Salvation
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Animal Instinct
These tracks showcase the band’s range, melodic sensibility, and lyrical intimacy, defining their 1990s legacy.
Full Discography (Selected Studio Albums)
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Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? (1993)
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No Need to Argue (1994)
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To the Faithful Departed (1996)
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Bury the Hatchet (1999)
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Wake Up and Smell the Coffee (2001)
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Roses (2012)
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Something Else (2017)
Band Timeline
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Formed: 1989, Limerick, Ireland
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Years active: 1989–2019
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Status: Disbanded following Dolores O’Riordan’s passing in 2018
Keywords
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