“Linger” by The Cranberries is a timeless classic, beloved for its haunting melody and heartfelt lyrics. For guitar players, it’s also a fantastic song to learn, especially for beginners. The song features a beautiful chord progression that is both engaging to play and instantly recognizable. If you’re looking to add a popular and relatively easy song to your guitar repertoire, learning “Linger” chords is a great place to start. This guide will break down the chords and structure so you can start playing this iconic song today.
Verse Chords: Building the Atmosphere
The verses of “Linger” establish the song’s melancholic and introspective mood. The chord progression is relatively simple and repeats throughout the verse sections. Here are the chords you’ll need:
D D If you, if you could return
A6 A6 Don’t let it burn, don’t let it fade
Cadd9 I’m sure I’m not being rude
Cadd9 But it’s just your attitude
G G It’s tearing me apart It’s ruining everything
And in the next verse:
D D And I swore, I swore I would be true
A6 And honey so did you
A6 Cadd9 So why were you holding her hand
Cadd9 Is that the way we stand
G G Were you lying all the time Was it just a game to you
Notice the use of A6 and Cadd9 chords. These add a distinctive flavor to the song, moving beyond basic major and minor chords. The transition from A6 to Cadd9 is particularly smooth and characteristic of “Linger”.
Chorus Chords: The Heart of “Linger”
The chorus is where “Linger” truly soars. The emotional intensity builds, and the chord progression becomes slightly more dynamic while remaining accessible.
D D But I’m in so deep
A6 A6 You know I’m such a fool for you
Cadd9 You got me wrapped around your finger
Cadd9 G Do you have to let it linger
G Do you have to, do you have to
D do you have to let it linger
The chorus maintains the core chords from the verse but emphasizes the Cadd9 and G chords before returning to D. This creates a cyclical feeling that mirrors the lyrical theme of lingering emotions.
Intro and Interlude: Setting the Stage
The intro and interlude sections of “Linger” use a repeating pattern that is both simple and captivating. It mainly revolves around the A6 chord and then transitions to Cadd9 and G.
Intro: Strummed: |A6 A| |A6 A| |A6 A| |A6 A| G G
Interlude: |A6 A| |A6 A| Cadd9 Cadd9 G G
This section is great for practicing chord changes between A6, Cadd9, and G. The slight variation with the A chord in the intro adds a subtle movement.
Outro: Fading Away
The outro of “Linger” brings the song to a gentle close, echoing the intro and interlude in its chord progression:
Outro: A6 A6 Cadd9 Cadd9 G G
The outro’s simplicity allows the song to fade out gracefully, leaving the listener with the lingering melody.
Strumming Pattern for “Linger”
While the original song features a distinctive arpeggiated guitar part, a simple strumming pattern can effectively capture the rhythm of “Linger” for beginners. A basic strumming pattern to start with could be:
Down, Down-Up, Up-Down, Up
Focus on keeping a steady rhythm and feel the groove of the song. As you become more comfortable, you can explore more nuanced strumming patterns or even try to incorporate fingerpicking elements inspired by the original guitar part.
Learning “Linger” on guitar is a rewarding experience. Its beautiful chord progression and relatively straightforward structure make it an excellent choice for guitarists of all levels, particularly those just starting out. With a little practice, you’ll be able to play this Cranberries classic and enjoy its lingering melody yourself.
