Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? is the debut studio album by Irish alternative rock band the Cranberries. Released on 1 March 1993 through Island Records after four EPs, it is both the band's first full-length album and major label release. The album was written entirely by the band's lead singer Dolores O'Riordan and guitarist Noel Hogan and contains the band's highest charting US single, "Linger". Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? was a commercial success, reaching number one on both the UK and Irish albums charts. On 24 June 1994, it became the fifth album in rock history to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart more than a year after its release.

On 7 March 2018, the band's three remaining members announced a special 25th anniversary newly remastered anniversary edition of the album, with previously unreleased material as well as other bonus material from the era of the album. However, it was delayed until late 2018, following the death of O'Riordan.

Release The song "Sunday" was released as a promotional single in the US in 1993, before Island Records decided to opt for a re-release of the band's first two European singles, "Dreams" and "Linger", in 1994.

A demo version of "Sunday" was featured on the band's 1990 EP cassette Water Circle. An acoustic version was released on the KCRW 1995 compilation Rare on Air, Volume 2. A live version of "Sunday" was included on one of the band's "Free to Decide" single. The performance was recorded at The Point in Dublin, Ireland, on 2 June 1995. Another live version was featured on the band's live compilation Bualadh Bos, released in 2010. The performance was recorded at Pine Knob in Clarkston, Michigan, on 18 August 1996 during the Free to Decide World Tour.

Critical reception

Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? received generally positive reviews from music critics. Ned Raggett of AllMusic praised O’Riordan’s “undisputed vocal ability”, writing "the two best cuts were the deserved smashes: 'Dreams,' a brisk, charging number combining low-key tension and full-on rock, and the melancholic, string-swept break-up song 'Linger.'" Writing for Sputnikmusic, the reviewer lauded the release as an "excellent" alternative rock record and a "very superb debut", noting that through its "calm, laidback, nostalgic moods, it creates a very likeable atmosphere." Mario Munoz of the Los Angeles Times wrote, "O’Riordan’s arresting voice is the driving instrument in this beautifully understated debut, painting stark and vivid images of pain and self-denial executed with confessional, hymn-like humility." Writing for Q, the reviewer described the album as featuring "softly stroked guitars tenderized by a female voice of exceptional merit" and noted its "deliciously spine-shivering moments" where "the melodies are festooned with dreamy hooks."

In contemporary reviews, Tom Sinclair of Entertainment Weekly wrote that "over time singer O'Riordan's breathy vocals and the band's subtle melodies begin to seduce," and called the band "Quiet storm for the alternative-rock generation." Reviewing the album's 2018 anniversary edition for The Irish Times, Eamon Sweeney described the record as "still spellbinding after all these years," pointing to its "very distinctly Irish take on guitar-based indie pop in the early 1990s." Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine offered a retrospective assessment, observing that the collection is "filled with succinct, pretty songs about timeless lovelorn truths." Quinn Moreland of Pitchfork described the album as a "showcase for Dolores O’Riordan’s disarming songwriting and immaculate voice." Moreland also highlighted the widespread cultural legacy and media influence of the album tracks. Within a year of the record's release, "Dreams" became the anthem for the character Angela Chase on the television series My So-Called Life. "Linger" was later featured during a romantic flashback scene in the 2006 comedy film Click. Additionally, a Cantonese cover of "Dreams" recorded by Faye Wong appeared in the 1994 Wong Kar-wai film Chungking Express, subsequently becoming a highly celebrated song across Asia. In The New Rolling Stone Album Guide, the author noted the music "delights in its own sound."

Accolades Publication List Rank Q 50 Best Albums of 1994 23 Rolling Stone Essential Recordings of the '90s * Slant Magazine 50 Essential Pop Albums * denotes an unranked list.

Commercial performance The album reached number one on the UK and the Irish albums charts. It spent a total of 86 weeks on the UK chart. On 24 June 1994, it became the fifth album in rock history to reach number one more than a year after release. At the end of 1995, it ranked as the 50th best selling album in Australia. It reached number 18 on the US Billboard 200 album chart and stayed on the chart for 136 weeks. Worldwide, the album sold six million copies.

Track listing Original release

2002 release The 2002 re-release included additional tracks.

Super Deluxe (2018) Disc two

Disc three

Disc four

Personnel Personnel taken from the album's liner notes, except where noted.

The Cranberries Dolores O'Riordan – vocals, acoustic guitar, string synthesizer and string arrangements on "Linger" Noel Hogan – guitars, backing vocals Mike Hogan – bass guitar Fergal Lawler – drums, percussion

Additional musicians Mike Mahoney – backing vocals and additional sounds on "Dreams" Duke Quartet – strings John Metcalfe – string arrangements

Technical Stephen Street – production, engineering Aidan McGovern – additional engineering (all except "Not Sorry") Andy Earl – photography Valerie Phillips – photography Cally – art direction, design

Charts

Weekly charts + 1993–1995 weekly chart performance for Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? Chart (1993–1995) Peakposition European Albums (Music & Media) 14 Irish Albums (IFPI) 1

+ 2001 weekly chart performance for Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? Chart (2001) Peakposition

+ 2018 weekly chart performance for Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? Chart (2018) Peakposition

+ 2024–2026 weekly chart performance for Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? Chart (2024–2026) Peakposition Croatian International Albums (HDU) 22 US Top Rock & Alternative Albums (Billboard) 37

Year-end charts + 1994 year-end chart performance for Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? Chart (1994) PositionAustralian Albums (ARIA) 68 UK Albums (OCC) 17 US Billboard 200 45

+ 1995 year-end chart performance for Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? Chart (1995) Position Australian Albums (ARIA) 50 UK Albums (OCC) 74 US Billboard 200 131

Certifications

Notes

References