"Linger" is a song by Irish alternative rock band the Cranberries from their debut studio album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?
Composed by band members Dolores O'Riordan and Noel Hogan, and produced by Stephen Street, "Linger" was first released as the second and final single from the album on 15 February 1993 by Island Records.
In 1990, "Linger" was released on a demo tape with "Dreams" in Ireland only in the middle of that year under their initial band name, the Cranberry Saw Us.
[11] When O'Riordan was auditioned as the lead singer for the band, she wrote the lyrics, turning it into a song of regret based on an experience with a 17-year-old soldier she once fell in love with.
[14] In a 2012 interview, O'Riordan commented, "I remember when MTV first put 'Linger' in heavy rotation, every time I walked into a diner or a hotel lobby, it was like, 'Jesus, man, here I am again'.
[17] David Stubbs from Melody Maker commented, "Fragile, underwhelming acoustic thing with strings in which the girl, in prim, unsullied Irish vowels, pleads for her partner to put her out of her misery and end the relationship he's no longer interested in.
"[20] Martin Aston from Music Week rated it four out of five, adding that it "combines a gorgeous, melting vocal from Dolores with a delicate folky melody.
"[21] Another Music Week editor, Alan Jones, named it a "delightful single", noting that "floating in on a breeze, it has a haunting, fragile quality and an almost country feel.
[23] Andrew Harrison from Select wrote, "'Linger' has a lovely orchestra busying itself in the far distance and keeping the tune at arm's length, while Delores gets powerfully lovelorn.
"[24] Tony Cross from Smash Hits gave it five out of five and named it Best New Single, adding, "Delores O'Riordan's voice comes straight from the chill out room and oils the song's creaky form into fabulous, delicious and delicate motion.
Australian rock band Royel Otis covered "Linger" on 9 April 2024 at the Sirius XM studio in New York City for the Alt Nation channel.