The Cranberries – Twenty-One

"Twenty-One" as written by Dolores Mary O'riordan and Noel Hogan....
I don't think it's going to happen anymore
You took my thoughts from me, now I want nothing more
And did you think you could just take it all away
I don't think it's happening, this is what I say

Leave me alone
Leave me alone
Leave me alone
'Cause I found it all
Twenty One
Twenty One
Twenty One

So I don't think it's going to happen anymore
I don't think it's going to happen anymore

Twenty One
Twenty One
Twenty One

Twenty One
Twenty One
Twenty One

Today
Today
Today
Today

Twenty One
Twenty One
Twenty One
Twenty One
Twenty One
Twenty One
Twenty One
Twenty One
Twenty One
Twenty One
Twenty One
Twenty One
Twenty One
Twenty One


Lyrics submitted by Novartza

"Twenty One" as written by Noel Hogan Dolores Mary O'riordan

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group

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Twenty-One song meanings
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14 Comments

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  • +2
    General CommentThe song is to me, mainly, about wanting something so much that you almost forget who you are, and lose yourself in the chase. It doesn't matter what it is, a relationship or a traumatic childhood that you wanted to be different.
    In the album No Need to Argue, it it stated that the song was written on the 6th of September, 1992, which is the day Dolores O'Riordan turned 21.

    To me, it's the point where you get up and realize that even if you could have that which you really want, if you only tried a bit harder - a bit more, it's not worth it any longer.
    (There's actually a line in the song that goes along with that in my opinion: "You took my thoughts from me, now I want nothing more")
    Whether it's the childhood dreams you couldn't reach, a love that remained unrequited, or whatever, I see it as the point where you accept that it is what it is and move on.

    And about the line where she sings " 'cause I've found it all", I don't know if she means her band or not, or if she means that she's turned 21, I interpret it as being the strength to accept and let go.
    But it's just my insignificant interpretation.
    SMUSER17406781on June 30, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI listened to this song one last time before I turned 22. I used to listen to this entire CD when I was 13-14 years old.
    CRYN_OUTon May 27, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General CommentThis is an incredible song about overcoming an abusive childhood and leaving it behind to find freedom and safety in self-reliance as an adult.
    calystoon January 11, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI haven't listened to this for ages, but when I first heard it, Calysto's version was exactly what I thought. I think it's about hope that when reaching adulthood, you will have some control over your life and not just put up with whatever is thrown at you by those who have more power than you. It sounds a very angry song to me.
    Linmartinon August 09, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General CommentHmmmm. I don't think this song is about abuse. It seems to me like it's about a relationship. Thats just my opinion though i could be completely wrong.... but i think it's about someone who was in a relationship and they doesn't want to be another there telling there lover to leave them alone because they found it all, (lies etc). I love this song though her voice is truley amazing at the end of this song. Still though the 'twenty one' bit seriously confuses me i'd love to know what that bit is about......
    musicfanatic!on January 15, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Commentbullshit calysto
    asktheangelson February 04, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Commentlook how simple the lyrics are, yet listen to how haunting the song is..

    it's why i love them.
    Paperthin_Hymnon April 11, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Commentwell i beleive calysto is right. I was unsure what this song was about however in Ode to my Family (Track 1 on the No Need To Argue album) i picked up on the "my father, he liked me ergh he liked me- doea anyone care?" This made me think she was abused by her father as a child. Therefore this song, 21, to me is about her escape from his abuse because she is 21- an adult- she doesnt think it will happen anymore- one because she is old enough to leave and fight for herself and also becuase he isnt interested now shes an adult. That what i got and it makes more sense than it being about the fun of being 21 since the song has a haunting and melodramatic rhythm rather than a happy one.
    nobodyknowson September 03, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentSuch a magnificent voice.
    I second what calypso wrote.
    It's about an abusive father.
    Half of the song, her voice is unusually low and subdued as if she was containing her wrath.
    After she sings that she is 21 today, her voice, at last, takes off, flies away as her life.
    Valerevalon January 09, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentIt sounds to me like an angry song too. The image of her kind of showing her teeth and saying: hah, I'm 21 now, I'm mature and strong, you've got nothing on me now; kind of contrasting the melody, which makes it so interesting.

    But then again, it could also be about facing the horrible feeling of getting old, and trying to stay 21 forever.
    silverplateon January 14, 2009   Link

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