“Linger,” a song by The Cranberries, was released on their debut album “Everyone Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?” in 1993. So how is it that 30 years later, the song is still widely popular amongst the younger generations? It’s timeless, that’s how.
Originally regaining popularity from TikTok as a highly used sound in 2019, the song “Linger” has now become a sort of “meme” amongst today’s teenagers. As a song that centers around remaining hopelessly in love with an unloyal partner, one cannot help but question how the song has come to be used in over 46,000 videos on TikTok (Goldberg, 2023), a social media platform that is generally seen as unserious and lighthearted.
The reality is that songs like “Linger” are highly relatable to teenagers, even after 30 years. Heartbreak, unfortunately, is as timeless as a catchy melody and outstanding vocals (especially those of Dolores O’Riordan). When combined with Gen-Z’s nature to joke about serious emotions, it’s no wonder the song has gained and maintained its popularity for the past few years. Lyrics conveying the heartache of not being able to help those you love will never go out of style—they will always ring true.
And yet, why would this be a joking matter? Anything can be made into a hilarious bit by modern-day teenagers. The phrase “letting it linger” was coined quickly by teens on TikTok as a way to jokingly cope with the angst and hopeless romance felt by a great majority when they were in their teens, no matter if they were feeling it in 1993 or 2024.
Asking the question, “Have you let it linger today?” or giving others their “daily reminder to let it linger” has been a way for teenagers to normalize feeling all of their angsty and existential hormones, and rightfully so. An existential crisis, regardless of how serious, is a critical part of character development, of growing up and realizing that the world doesn’t end when you turn 17.
So, let it linger. Feel your emotions. Maybe even question why he was holding her hand, and if that’s the way you stand. Being a teenager won’t last forever; feeling every emotion with such power is something to take advantage of. It means you’re growing up.
