Lyric discussion by indstrlgal 

Cover art for In the End lyrics by Cranberries, The

I think this song is about how you look back after a lifetime of running after the carrot you placed in front of yourself through (work, success, many plants, having it all and whatnot)… only to one day realize those material things don’t really bring happiness.

What does is being around people you love, who love you back and care about you — and having the privilege to have built that kind of life and cultivate love - in the form of family, friends, loved ones… + be able to spend time with them.

All the material things we run after our whole lives mean nothing… “in the end”.

“Ain't it strange When everything you wanted Was nothing that you wanted In the end

Ain't it strange When everything you dreamt of Was nothing that you dreamt of In the end”

Perhaps Dolores was realizing this kind of thing just before her own end ♥ Forever missed.

My Interpretation