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I shed a tear today when I heard the sad news that Dolores O’Riordan, lead singer of The Cranberries, had passed away.
Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? was my coming-of-age soundtrack. I had just left home to go to university and was dealing with all of the conflicting emotions – homesickness mixed with fierce independence – that goes along with it.
Their follow-up albums, No Need To Argue and To The Faithful Departed mirrored all of the highs, lows, melancholy moments and painful resolutions of my burgeoning adulthood. Dolores’ hauntingly beautiful voice (along with The Cranberries’ poignant lyrics) helped bring all of the feelings during that time in my life to the fore.
It was a wonderful, scary, enlightening time in my life, and her music helped me get through it all.
Sometimes it takes the passing of someone to truly understand the impact they had on our life. Dolores was a voice for my generation, one that will be sorely missed.
Rest in peace, Dolores. ❤️ Your music will live on forever.