To the Faithful Departed cover art

  Studio Album · No. 3

To the Faithful Departed Songwriting Credits by The Cranberries

1996 Island 15 tracks 58 min

Produced by Bruce Fairbairn, The Cranberries

Island Alternative RockPop Rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 15 of 15 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 15 / 15 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 15 tracks with documented writers, by whether The Cranberries carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
15 trackswritten by The Cranberries 0 tracksoutside writers
The Cranberries's roles on this album

Share of the 15 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

15
Tracks
1
Lyricists
1
Producers
2 million
US Copies Sold
1996
Released
Data Insight

To the Faithful Departed flips the usual music split: here O'Riordan wrote most of the music alone, with Noel Hogan co-credited only on 'Salvation,' 'Intermission,' 'I Just Shot John Lennon,' and 'Will You Remember?' She still wrote every lyric, so the album leans further toward her sole authorship than the band's earlier records, with no outside writers on the standard track list.

To the Faithful Departed is the third studio album by The Cranberries, released in April 1996. Working with rock producer Bruce Fairbairn, the band pushed toward a louder, harder sound and more openly political songwriting, with tracks addressing war, fame, and loss. Singles 'Salvation,' 'Free to Decide,' and 'When You're Gone' carried the album, which reached the top five in the US and UK despite mixed reviews. O'Riordan wrote all the lyrics, and on this album she wrote most of the music alone, with Noel Hogan co-credited on a handful of tracks. A multi-platinum seller, it marked a heavier and more confrontational turn before the band stepped back from touring.

Track Listing & Credits 15 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Hollywood
Dolores O'Riordan Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan Bruce Fairbairn Dolores O'Riordan (Lead Vocals)
2
Salvation #92
Dolores O'Riordan Dolores Mary Eileen O'RiordanNoel Anthony Hogan Bruce Fairbairn Dolores O'Riordan (Lead Vocals)
3
When You're Gone
Dolores O'Riordan Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan Bruce Fairbairn Dolores O'Riordan (Lead Vocals)
4
Free to Decide #22
Dolores O'Riordan Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan Bruce Fairbairn Dolores O'Riordan (Lead Vocals)
5
War Child
Dolores O'Riordan Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan Bruce Fairbairn Dolores O'Riordan (Lead Vocals)
6
Forever Yellow Skies
Dolores O'Riordan Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan Bruce Fairbairn Dolores O'Riordan (Lead Vocals)
7
The Rebels
Dolores O'Riordan Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan Bruce Fairbairn Dolores O'Riordan (Lead Vocals)
8
Intermission
Dolores O'Riordan Dolores Mary Eileen O'RiordanNoel Anthony Hogan Bruce Fairbairn Dolores O'Riordan (Lead Vocals)
9
I Just Shot John Lennon
Dolores O'Riordan Dolores Mary Eileen O'RiordanNoel Anthony Hogan Bruce Fairbairn Dolores O'Riordan (Lead Vocals)
10
Electric Blue
Dolores O'Riordan Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan Bruce Fairbairn Dolores O'Riordan (Lead Vocals)
11
I'm Still Remembering
Dolores O'Riordan Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan Bruce Fairbairn Dolores O'Riordan (Lead Vocals)
12
Will You Remember?
Dolores O'Riordan Dolores Mary Eileen O'RiordanNoel Anthony Hogan Bruce Fairbairn Dolores O'Riordan (Lead Vocals)
13
Joe
Dolores O'Riordan Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan Bruce Fairbairn Dolores O'Riordan (Lead Vocals)
14
Cordell
Dolores O'Riordan Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan Bruce Fairbairn Dolores O'Riordan (Lead Vocals)
15
Bosnia
Dolores O'Riordan Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan Bruce Fairbairn Dolores O'Riordan (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 4 contributors

More from The Cranberries

Frequently Asked Questions To the Faithful Departed

Who wrote To the Faithful Departed?
Dolores O'Riordan wrote all the lyrics. She wrote most of the music alone on this album, with Noel Hogan co-credited on four tracks.
Who produced To the Faithful Departed?
It was produced by Bruce Fairbairn, known for his work with rock acts, alongside the band, giving the record a harder sound.
What are the singles from the album?
'Salvation,' 'Free to Decide,' 'When You're Gone,' and 'Hollywood' were the album's singles.
Why is the album considered more political?
O'Riordan's lyrics took on war, fame, and mortality directly, on songs like 'War Child,' 'Bosnia,' and 'I Just Shot John Lennon.'
How did the songwriting credits differ here?
Unlike the debut, O'Riordan wrote most of the music herself, with Noel Hogan sharing the music credit on only a few songs.
How well did the album sell?
It is certified double platinum in the United States and reached the top five on both the US and UK album charts.

Sources