Ridiculous Thoughts

Album: No Need To Argue (1994)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this song, Cranberries lead singer Dolores O'Riordan describes someone as a "twister," and tells him, "You're gonna have to hold on."

    Her life at the time was a tornado of activity; the first Cranberries album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, Why Can't We?, launched them to stardom, which meant leaving Ireland and going on tour. While on the road, they wrote material for their next album, No Need To Argue. It was in this environment that O'Riordan came up with "Ridiculous Thoughts," a song where she questions her thoughts.

    "I remember feeling a bit like an object at times," she said in a Songfacts interview. "The success was so big and there were so many expectations and demands from all sides - from the label and from everybody. I remember feeling under a lot of pressure when I wrote that."

Comments: 1

  • The Wheatsheaf Girl from LondonAbsolutely fantastic song amazingley sung should of been all over the radio and tv, only just discovered it. 'Ridiculous thoughts' title is so apt for what is happening in the world now. Sure i saw her the week she died as she was to work on an album to inc 'Zombie', she glanced at me knowingly she appeared very happy, it wasnt until they announced her death i thought my God that was her! This song should be re released immediately with this video. Its one of the best songs of all time what a stunning gorgeous voice now that is true singing from the heart, still a very special lady shes around, watching!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Divided Souls: Musical Alter Egos

Divided Souls: Musical Alter EgosSong Writing

Long before Eminem, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj created alternate personas, David Bowie, Bono, Joni Mitchell and even Hank Williams took on characters.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.