Dolores O'Riordan Quotes

Powerful Dolores O'Riordan for Daily Growth

About Dolores O'Riordan

Dolores O'Riordan (6 July 1971 – 15 January 2018) was an Irish singer-songwriter best known as the lead vocalist of the alternative rock band The Cranberries, renowned for her powerful and emotive voice. Born in Limerick, Ireland, O'Riordan showed an early interest in music, learning to play the tin whistle at a young age. In 1989, she co-founded The Cranberries with fellow band members Noel Hogan (guitar), Mike Hogan (bass guitar), and Fergal Lawler (drums). Their debut album, "Everybody Else is Doing It, So Why Can't We?," released in 1993, brought them international success with hits like "Linger" and "Dreams." O'Riordan's unique vocal style, characterized by her use of falsetto and her distinctive Irish lilt, was heavily influenced by artists such as Siouxsie Sioux, Kate Bush, and The Smiths. Her lyrics often tackled themes of love, longing, and the human condition, reflecting her Catholic upbringing and personal experiences. In 1996, The Cranberries released their most successful album, "No Need to Argue," which produced the global hit single "Zombie." O'Riordan wrote "Zombie" in response to the 1993 bombing of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, an act of violence that claimed the lives of 33 people. Throughout her career, O'Riordan also pursued a solo career, releasing two studio albums: "Are You Listening?" (2007) and "No Baggage" (2013). Despite her professional achievements, O'Riordan struggled with mental health issues and substance abuse, which often disrupted the activities of The Cranberries. On January 15, 2018, at the age of 46, O'Riordan tragically died in London. Her death shocked fans worldwide, leaving a lasting legacy as a powerful vocalist and an influential figure in Irish music.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I always think that life is a precious thing and it's very short."

This quote emphasizes the importance and fragility of life, suggesting that we should cherish every moment because our time on earth is limited and valuable. It encourages us to appreciate the fleeting nature of existence and live our lives with purpose and gratitude.

"I just feel like music is the one thing in the world that I can do well."

Dolores O'Riordan's quote suggests a deep connection and passion for music, implying it as her exceptional talent and skill set. She views music not just as a hobby or pastime but as something she excels at, finding fulfillment and confidence in its pursuit. This perspective is often shared by artists who find solace, purpose, and self-expression in their art form.

"Sometimes you have to go through the storm to get to the calm."

This quote emphasizes that experiencing difficult or challenging times (the "storm") is often necessary for reaching a peaceful, serene state ("the calm"). It suggests that growth, resilience, and eventual tranquility can be found after navigating through hardships and overcoming obstacles in life.

"Every single day, the opportunity is there to make a difference."

This quote by Dolores O'Riordan highlights the daily potential each individual possesses to contribute positively to the world. It suggests that every day presents a new chance to act on our values, to improve ourselves, and to influence others in a meaningful way. Whether it's through small acts of kindness or larger initiatives for change, this quote encourages us to seize opportunities to create a positive impact in our communities and beyond. In essence, it underscores the importance of being mindful of our daily actions and their potential power to make a difference.

"The more you try to hold on to something, the more it runs away from you."

This quote by Dolores O'Riordan suggests that an overly possessive or controlling approach towards people, things, or situations often results in their elusiveness or loss. It encourages a more relaxed and accepting attitude, as clinging tightly to something may inadvertently push it away. Instead, one should let go and allow natural connections and experiences to unfold without forced control.

We all got older, and we'd tell our children things like, 'Mommy used to be in a famous rock band,' but they didn't believe us. Part of the reason for our reunion was to show our children what we did to make the lives they have possible.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Reason, Tell, Mommy, Famous

In Canada, anything that's not in the city is referred to as a cottage. Or a log cabin.

- Dolores O'Riordan

City, Canada, Cottage, Log

In 1997, we took time off, and that's when Oasis broke and Princess Diana died and I was home with my baby hating the music industry. People asked what I thought about the Spice Girls, and honestly, I was so happy to tell them I couldn't be bothered to care.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Thought, Spice, Oasis, Hating

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.'

- Dolores O'Riordan

I Remember, Here, Diner

Once you succeed at what you're doing, your parents see that what you were doing wasn't so bad after all, though they'd prefer to see you in a secure lifestyle where you have a contract for years and years, or you have a diploma or degree.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Doing, Bad, Years And Years, Contract

Room service is nice. Ooh-la-la, a hotel. At home, it's laundry and school lunches.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Service, School, Laundry, Room Service

I was a full-time mom for seven years. You go back on tour, you're back in hotels, you're ordering room service, and you're getting an itinerary slipped under your door every,day. You're kind of thinking, 'Did I go home for seven years, or was that just a dream?'

- Dolores O'Riordan

Door, Full-Time, Ordering, Room Service

I love to go home to my kids. I don't have that lull in my life when I didn't have them.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Love, My Life, Go Home, Lull

It's pretty weird when you are just touring all the time and you don't have a normal life. You're out of touch with reality too much.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Normal, Pretty, Touring, Normal Life

When The Cranberries got really big in Ireland, it became difficult for me to be there with all the photographers and paparazzi.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Big, Became, Photographers, Paparazzi

We were never a frivolous band; we prided ourselves on having something to say, and I think that's what gives your songs longevity.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Think, I Think, Having, Frivolous

I got to a point where I referred to myself as Dolores of the Cranberries instead of myself because I alienated my real self from what I became so much.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Myself, Became, Alienated, Real Self

I hated singing, I hated being on stage; I hated being in the Cranberries. I was constantly crying. I was going insane. I wanted to be a shopkeeper, a hairdresser, anything. I was so desperate to have a reality, friends, a regular, boring life. I missed that.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Singing, Desperate, Going, Hairdresser

There's no point in getting too worried about things, because life is too short.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Life Is Too Short, Getting, No Point

I just block out the demons. I sing. I block them away. I put my pain into my music. I paint. I make my own videos. I direct myself. No one directs me anymore. I am in charge of my destiny.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Destiny, Own, Away, Block

When the Greatest Hits came out and we did that tour, I just felt I wanted to take a break, totally. Probably because, as well, I was so young when I got famous. I did album, tour, album, tour, album, tour, then I had a public nervous breakdown where I just lost tons of weight.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Young, Breakdown, Had, Tons

I went to Irish dance when I was four. I was playing the tin whistle when I was five. So I think certain things are bred into you.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Think, I Think, Bred, Tin

The school I went to was so Gaelic that you learned how to play the tin whistle and how to Irish-dance in class.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Play, Learned, Whistle, Tin

As you get older, it's good to open up and acknowledge that everybody has their scary moments, their negative moments. And in order to move on and find comfort and hope, you have to stop running from the darkness and face it. And when you face it, it's not that scary at all, and sometimes it actually turns around and runs away.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Sometimes, Away, Everybody, Runs

Growing up, there was a lot of pressure for women to be good-looking, but my mum was very strict, and she didn't allow me to wear make-up. Looking back, it was good for me. It slowed me down from becoming an adult too quickly.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Looking Back, Very, Allow, Strict

Everyone at school knew I wanted to be a singer. I'd always be banging on the piano playing my new song. The teacher would gather us round, and the whole class would listen.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Song, New, Always, Banging

I missed a lot of family weddings and funerals because we were out on the road and had these big gigs, and you can't pull out of these gigs at the last minute because too many people are counting on it. It got to the point where I was consumed with that.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Big, Weddings, Consumed, Too Many People

Sometimes your kids give you that shove out the door to do things that you need. Teenagers are good that way; they keep you in the loop.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Door, Give, Need, Shove

I lived in buses. I didn't really have anything else. I didn't feel like a female, and I ended up really kind of isolated. Everybody thinks you're so happy and so wealthy and such a big star, but you're really kind of lonely and don't know how to stop it.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Big, Wealthy, Everybody, Buses

I was at that point where my children needed more than going around the planet in the back of a bus. They needed stability, they needed to build their own lives and relationships, and I needed to put my life on hold. I made my choice - I chose my children.

- Dolores O'Riordan

My Life, Bus, Needed, Stability

A lot of these songs just came from day-to-day experiences. And it was a very natural, kind of organic process.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Process, Natural, Very, Organic

I look like that in the morning: my hair's all greasy - it's not, 'Hey, look at the babe of the band!' I hate that kind of thing, the way women are always pushed forward as beauties... it's very easy: you can make the ugliest pig look lovely in a photograph.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Pig, Very, Ugliest, Hey

My husband Don's mother, Denise, was diagnosed with cancer, and she was given eight months to live. We decided to go and stay there and help live her days with her, 'cause you don't get those chances again, right?

- Dolores O'Riordan

Husband, Eight, Cause, Diagnosed

'Linger' was the first song I wrote after joining the Cranberries. I was 18, and the youngest member of the band was 16 at the time. We never imagined it'd be such a big hit.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Song, Big, Joining, Big Hit

My mom always had a softer spot for boys, as a lot of Irish women do. If you were a girl, you'd have to sing or wear a pretty dress. But boys could just sit there and be brilliant for sitting there and being boys. It makes you that little bit more forward. Pushy. I was singing, always.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Dress, Irish, Wear, Sitting

I was 19 when I wrote 'Dreams,' and that would have been when it started to happen. The band got signed, and I was probably beginning to see different things besides my small town of Ballybricken.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Small, Happen, Been, Different Things

You know that band that are all over 'Melody Maker,' Huggy Bear, they're just a load of crap, right? Riot grrrl group - y'know, it's all sexism and stuff, women standing up for their rights: 'This girl said this at the gig off the stage.' It's nothing got to do with music. They're probably untalented gits when it comes to the crunch.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Gig, Crunch, Got, Group

I guess all bands get to that point where they run out of inspiration and just get bored with the chemistry.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Run, Chemistry, Inspiration, Bored

One day we were in Limerick... and then, a few weeks later, we were being flown around to play. When we started, it was just a hobby. It wasn't any big ambition.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Play, Big, Weeks, Flown

Why can't we actually sing and get respected as good singers and songwriters without having our boobs and butt hanging out?

- Dolores O'Riordan

Why, Singers, Having, Respected

There's always a party in my bus.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Bus, Always, Party

U2 and Sinead O'Connor - I haven't a clue why we're compared to them. Apart from us all being Irish, we've nothing in common.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Nothing, Irish, Why, Apart

When I was about 14, I got a tacky keyboard for 250 pounds and put on a drum machine and found I could write a song.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Song, Keyboard, Could, Tacky

For an artist or an entertainer, it's the ultimate when you can go to the forest when you're done your work and escape.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Forest, Artist, Entertainer, Escape

We all wonder about death, where people go and what happens. But certainly, they cross over from this dimension to another one.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Death, Over, Certainly, Dimension

Each gig is brilliant and fun. When it becomes a routine, we'll take a break. There's no point in doing it if you don't enjoy it.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Doing, Brilliant, Gig, No Point

My parents were in the local church choir, and I used to go along and sing and play the organ at all the weddings and christenings.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Church, Play, Organ, Choir

It was different to what everyone else was doing. It was very hard to pigeonhole The Cranberries. And we were just huge; it was just sensational.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Doing, Very, Everyone Else, Pigeonhole

I think there's a difference between somebody who grows up in Paris or London and goes to Los Angeles. But if you grow up in the green fields, and you rarely go into the city, you're so overprotected that when you do go to L.A., it's almost a bigger slap in the head.

- Dolores O'Riordan

City, London, I Think, Slap

The things a young woman goes through between the ages of 18 and 20 are far different than what a young woman can go through between 20 and 22.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Woman, Young, Through, Young Woman

When my grandfather died, I was on tour, and I didn't go to the funeral. I never got to say goodbye, and this is one of the problems of being in a rock band is that you're away, and your loved ones die, and you can't even see them.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Goodbye, Die, Away, Problems

When I got pregnant, I started singing again. It was my saving grace. I literally mean having this amazing human life, and our relationship in the sense of mother and child, redeemed my soul.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Soul, Got, Redeemed, Pregnant

When you're pregnant or living with an infant, there's a kind of sacredness around your body that affects everything you do.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Living, Kind, Sacredness, Pregnant

People often ask me why I sing with a strong Irish accent. I suppose when I was five years old, I spoke with a strong Irish accent, so I sang with one, too.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Strong, Old, Spoke, Accent

I didn't get a lot of attention from my dad when I was young. That's a big part of it for girls. Because your dad is the first love of your life. If he doesn't put you on his lap and give you a pet, you do end up not really liking yourself that much.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Love, Big, Big Part, Lap

When the band were really big and we had massive hits, I was always stressed-out and insecure. I thought I wanted the band to be really popular, but when that happened, there was so much pressure to keep it going.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Thought, Big, Always, Popular

I lived in a small village outside the city and grew up in a large family, so my world was very much centred around that. I used to sing in the local church, and I would also occasionally sing in the local pubs for which I used to get a few bob. That, for me, was the start of my interest in music, which has obviously expanded since then.

- Dolores O'Riordan

City, Small, Very, Occasionally

Only we were in The Cranberries. Only we know what it was like being in that crazy whirlwind of fame. We have children and spouses and lives, but there is only one Cranberries.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Like, Spouses, Lives, Whirlwind

We have a certain bond that we don't have with anyone else on the planet. You just have that bond, that journey when you are in a band together.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Journey, Planet, Anyone, Bond

I've come to the conclusion that life is for the taking and just too short to dwell on the negative.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Negative, Conclusion, Too, Taking

Men have no idea how much more difficult it is for women in the rock and roll industry, and while we are trying to give birth, breastfeed, all they do is have a good time.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Rock And Roll, Give, Idea, Good Time

I went very close to the edge, but it's nice to have been strong enough to get through it. I'm lucky I had family, a good husband, and my mom. People like that help balance you. When you're feeling down and bad, it's the people that love you who kind of sort your head out for you.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Love, Lucky, Through, Close

I enjoyed living in Canada, where my husband comes from, because I was treated like any ordinary person. I became a volunteer at my children's school; I went into the classroom. It was very grounding. I got sick of being famous.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Husband, Very, Became, Ordinary Person

The writing became a hobby in the background: it took a back seat to parenthood and being a person and being a human being.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Seat, Became, Took, Hobby

My priorities were taking the kids to school and being a mum and being a daughter and being a sister. Just spending a lot of that time with my family that I'd probably lost a lot of, touring with the Cranberries.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Being, Mum, Touring, Sister

It's very difficult to break in Europe unless you break in England, and it's very difficult to break in England if you're Irish.

- Dolores O'Riordan

England, Break, Very, Europe

I didn't know initially whether I'd like doing TV and whether I'd be able to work with other people. I've always done my own thing. I've never put myself into that situation, but it's the most fun I've had in years.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Doing, Other, TV, Situation

You can't be in a situation where you are not happy. It's as simple as that.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Happy, Simple, Where, Situation

What's amazing is - I actually have problems getting it into my head - Canada is so big, right? And Ireland's small, you know; you drive from coast to coast in three hours.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Small, Big, Hours, Ireland

My father, I spent a lot of time with him at the hospital. I was with him when he took his last breath, but I felt something coming from him into my hand and into my body.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Father, Last, Took, Hospital

Not everybody wanted a female to be the front face of a big band, you know... You had to be three times better than a man had to be.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Big, Everybody, Had, Female

You get older and come to the conclusion that it's a great gig making music. Even if you turn into an old gnarly fart, no one cares what you look like if you write good songs - the only gig is to sing well and perform.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Good, Turn, Gig, No One Cares

People look at you and see a product. They don't see a soul. They see an empty hole.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Soul, Product, See, Hole

I was so famous that I couldn't leave the hotel room. I remember looking out of the window at all these fans but just feeling so isolated.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Famous, I Remember, Isolated, Hotel Room

Luckily I don't have a sinful past, because there's nothing you can hide from your kids now.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Past, Nothing, Luckily, Sinful

I thought the best thing to do to bring me back to reality would be to have a child, and by the time I had my first, Taylor, when I was 25, we'd sold 35 million records as a band, and I'd had enough; I knew my sanity was more important than success.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Thought, Bring, By The Time, Million

It was tough. We went right from being teenagers to musical superstars with money and fame and attention. All of us had a hard time adjusting to it, especially me.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Right, Had, Musical, Superstars

You want to be in control of a lot. You grow up. You sink or swim. I suppose I swam.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Grow, Sink, Lot, Swim

I'm an artist, and I need to work, like everybody. We need to be challenged and that we're getting up and doing something with our lives.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Doing, Everybody, Lives, Our Lives

People don't look at you singing. They go within themselves and listen. Music is about listening, not looking. That's why I wore these huge baggy dresses on stage with The Cranberries.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Listening, Singing, Within, Wore

I try to think about optimism. I try to look at the beautiful things in life.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Beautiful, Optimism, Think, Beautiful Things

When you're on tour too much or on stage too much, you feel like you have to deliver and get this super-hyped vibe going.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Like, Going, Vibe, Tour

To me, life is a bit of everything. I have the band, I have my kids. Life is a big picture. It's not just your career.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Career, Big, Your, Band

For me, you can't be a big fat pig up there, slovenly and singing croaky and whatnot. You have to work.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Singing, Big, Slovenly, Whatnot

I was so young when I got so famous, and then I kind of put up a wall around myself. I didn't really want to show people any fragilities or fears; I was trying to be this tough person that I felt was expected of me.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Young, Show, Got, Wall

I don't appreciate people invading my privacy.

- Dolores O'Riordan

People, Appreciate, Privacy, Invading

I worked myself into a frenzy. By 1996, I had a nervous breakdown just from working. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, just getting anxiety attacks and all of that stuff because I was doing too much, too young, all the time.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Doing, Young, Had, Breakdown

The feeling that's in your heart all the time comes out spiritually in your voice and the music.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Music, Voice, Feeling, Spiritually

It's a great gig, really: getting on stage, playing the guitar, singing. For a living, it's super.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Living, Getting, Super, Guitar

It was great about the sizes of the audiences we were getting in America, but sometimes you feel like telling some of the men that you're not on stage to have your body looked at.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Some, Like, Telling, Audiences

For a while there, our writing got really edgy... I've always written about experiences, so when your life gets a bit crazy, you start to write songs that are a bit edgy.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Start, Always, About, Edgy

I love performing, and I love the idea of people buying records. I don't particularly like the idea of people knowing me or thinking they do, but that's a part of what I choose. I choose not to go to college; I choose to be a singer.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Love, College, Particularly, Buying

I always come across like I'm looking serious, but I just don't like smiling. Honestly, obviously I'm different in person.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Smiling, Always, Honestly, Serious

I am just trying to live for my kids. It is all about my kids now. I love them endlessly.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Love, About, Them, Endlessly

I guess the way to keep a grip on reality is just to take breaks in between albums like most normal bands do. Go home and be a person and hang out with your friends. Do separate things and get back to earth and write songs and go out there again.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Hang, Separate, Albums, Bands

I keep my children safe and protected from all my baggage. They get to have a normal childhood, and they're not affected by my life.

- Dolores O'Riordan

My Life, Normal, Baggage, Affected

I'm an icon. I'm the Queen of Limerick.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Queen, Icon

You never find peace in this realm, but it's okay, because when my dad went to the other side, he looks after me now better than he did in life. He is with me all the time.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Life, Other, Dad, Okay

It's important to take time off because it's a long journey this life, and I want to be singing in 30 years' time. You see a lot of artists who get caught up in the here and now, and they just burn themselves out, and I kind of did that myself with my third album.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Long, Here, Caught, Third

I write about what is getting to me at the time, about the things you need to talk about, but which would sound silly if you sat down and told them to your friend. I only write for myself, to get my emotions out. It's self-therapeutic.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Sound, I Write, About, Sat

My kids mean more to me than anything I thought was important when I was younger.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Thought, Important, Mean, Younger

The first album didn't become successful until the second was practically written.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Album, Until, Written, Practically

It's amazing to see anyone come out, let alone tell you they have been waiting so long. They are loyal people, our fans.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Tell, Been, Loyal, Waiting

When everybody's looking at you, it does your head in. When you're always on the inside, sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees.

- Dolores O'Riordan

Forest, Always, Everybody, Trees

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