Do You Have To Let It Linger? Yes, Actually You Do.

There simply aren’t human words that can accurately articulate how much the combination of this song + this experience means to me.

Besides the entire onslaught of words I’m about to unload on you.

Ohhhh, The Cranberries. Any of you who were real-life friends with me back in the day might remember that there was no shortage of Cranberries obsessiveness in my life. From t-shirts to wall posters to bootlegged copies of this single or that single, IT WAS MY LIFE.

From the moment my high school boyfriend placed their very first album Everybody Else is Doing It, So Why Can’t We, as a CASSETTE no less, wrapped in newspaper and tied with a string on the front porch of my New Mexico house in the spring of 1993, I was hooked. A goner. Soul destroyed for the rest of time.

“Linger” blatantly and unapologetically became my life soundtrack back then. So much in fact that my mom was so sick of hearing it blast from my room, she’d knock on the door, “Do you have to, do you have to, do you have to KEEP PLAYING THAT SONG?”

Clever, Mom. And yes, I do.

Now, fast forward to the point when my little sister Barbara became the queen singer of the universe. And I mean, pipes that will stop your heart. Her control, her range, her ability to transition from wispy, tender vocals to power notes within the same breath will forever bring me to literal tears. There is NOTHING IN THIS WORLD like Barbara’s voice.

But you know this already.

So I’ll tell you what happened. This past Thanksgiving when we ventured over to Bar’s house for taco night, she and her husband Dustin looked over at me with a wink in their eye (they share an eye. one eye. it’s very odd.), “We’ve got something for you, Bev. And we want you to add all the layers and harmonies.”

Mind you, I was coughing up mucus from the underlore and I sounded like a drunk Muppet in a trashcan. But when Dustin pressed play and those oh-so-familiar three notes hit my fragile soul ears, I cried, fainted, heard their arrangement and her voice and basically yelled at everyone, OKAYYESLETMEREFILLMYWINEANDLET’SDOTHIS.

A word about my brother-in-law Dustin. I don’t think anyone understands just how talented he is. I mean THEY DO, but let me tell you anyway. He laid down all the instruments. Everything. Right in their home studio. His guitar playing is haunting, ethereal, so creamy dreamy. You guys, they came up with this arrangement and mood together and recorded a version of “Linger” that my heart honestly cannot handle without falling apart 14 times in a second.

And I mean truly, I sobbed my entire face off the whole time I was adding harmonies and all the opening, middle, and closing “ooooos”. I have no idea how my voice did it. But it did. And we have this.

I know Bar has her own memories with “Linger.” But the combination of her voice, my harmonies, my own life memories, her presence and closeness in my life, all of it wrapped up in one song like this is simply more than I can deal with. Except I can and will listen to this 150 more times in the next hour.

Also, RIP, Dolores. I’ll never forget our matching bleached pixie cuts.

Also also, why don’t I have that sweet green coat anymore?

Without a word or tear more (yeah right), I give you . . . “Linger.”

SEE I’M CRYING AGAIN.

Thank you endlessly, Barbara and Dustin for having me on this track, and letting me be a part of this with you both. Let’s make a dang album, already.

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76 Responses to Do You Have To Let It Linger? Yes, Actually You Do.

  1. Andrea December 19, 2019 at 7:12 am #
    Wow. Amazing, truly amazing. Thank you for sharing this, you both have such a gift. Wow.
    • Laura December 19, 2019 at 9:21 am #
      Equally in love with this song! Brings back memories of me and my sister singing duets together!! Love it!
      • Dj December 19, 2019 at 9:18 pm #
        Haunting. Beautiful.
    • Gisele December 19, 2019 at 9:36 am #
      Oh, my.... phew! This arrangement is exquisite. Your voices are stunning, smooth, sophisticated and sweet. I sincerely appreciate you sharing this experience with us. I appreciate your tender heart for sharing memories. I appreciate your love of vocal harmonies, musical notes, and sultry instrumentals. I appreciate your sisterly love. I appreciate you.
    • Kiki December 19, 2019 at 5:50 pm #
      Awesome!
    • Courtney December 19, 2019 at 9:27 pm #
      Gorrrgeous......i was singing harmony with you all along the wayy..just like i did, music blasting, driving to sophomore year of summer college classes, wind blowing in my hair, sing at the top of my lungs...thanks for bringing back the memories! You all sounded gorgeous.
  2. Hallie December 19, 2019 at 7:46 am #
    What gifts! Sounds so amazing and love this version. ❤️
  3. Kristin December 19, 2019 at 7:48 am #
    Yes, please to the album. This is beautiful.
    • Amy Wolffe December 19, 2019 at 8:37 am #
      So beautiful. I always believed family voices blended together better than any others. Your mom also blends in so perfectly with her girls. You are so talented ! Great song choice as well. A blogger who sings, loves plants and photographs her kiddos perfectly AND cooks amazing food ! You’re amazing Bev! Happy Holidays xx
      • Shannon December 19, 2019 at 8:51 am #
        Takes me back. Love it!
  4. Natalie McCance December 19, 2019 at 7:58 am #
    You girls have amazing voices!! Even your mama - I remember you three a few yrs ago sing in one of your stories and it was beautiful!! I think it was “somewhere over the rainbow” the harmonies ? Well done girls!!
  5. Beverley Paulsen December 19, 2019 at 8:30 am #
    Thank you for the gift of this song. Exquisite.
  6. Kirsten Robinson December 19, 2019 at 8:36 am #
    Oh my heart. This brings back so many memories! All the YES!!!!! To you two making an album.
  7. Emily December 19, 2019 at 8:56 am #
    Yaaaaassss!!! Clapping!!!! (in my head...I'm at work). I've been waiting for this since you played a snippet last month. Absolutely beautiful. Sister voices blend so well. Your sister's voice reminds me of Christian artist Christy Nockles (used to be the band Watermark). That song brings back so many memories of borrowing my college roommate's CD and playing it on repeat in our dorm room. Man. Thanks for sharing. An album is due, girls. Loved it. Going to be bookmarking to listen many more times. Can't wait to share with my 15yr old daughter.
    • Marielle Harrington December 19, 2019 at 2:50 pm #
      That's exactly what I thought - must share this with my 15 YO daughter. So beautiful
  8. Cyndy Haydon December 19, 2019 at 9:36 am #
    Beautiful!! I know Joanie & Tim are so proud of you girls!! I always enjoyed hearing your mom sing many times back in the day!! Please record more!!
  9. Aunt Kay December 19, 2019 at 9:38 am #
    My amazing nieces and nephews-in-law never cease to amaze me. Y’all are blessed with talent. Beautiful Song too.
  10. Shannon Brown December 19, 2019 at 9:41 am #
    BEE-YOO-TIFUL! <3
  11. Shannon December 19, 2019 at 9:47 am #
    Ooooo. Emmmmm. Geeeee. This is everything!! Listening again and again - so hauntingly beautiful!
  12. Jennifer C. December 19, 2019 at 10:08 am #
    Oh my goodness! It's beautiful. Also, I see Natalie's face in these pictures of you.
  13. Robin Troy December 19, 2019 at 10:12 am #
    Gorgeous! Such great memories with you ladies!
  14. Amanda Yoder December 19, 2019 at 10:13 am #
    Wow! Great story & even better song!! I say, "ALBUM"!! Merry Christmas!! XOXO
  15. Terry December 19, 2019 at 10:23 am #
    Thats just really Awesome!
  16. Tiffany December 19, 2019 at 10:29 am #
    LOVE THIS!!! I wasn’t a huge Cranberries fan (I know, shock!) but wow — I’m a fan of this song now. Her voice reminds me of one of my absolute favorite voices — Susan Ashton Anyway, BRAVO!!
    • Emily December 19, 2019 at 2:15 pm #
      Oh my gosh! I hear Susan Ashton too! I loved her voice.
  17. Mary December 19, 2019 at 10:35 am #
    Wow! Just wow!
  18. Rachel December 19, 2019 at 10:38 am #
    Beautifully done! The talents and vulnerability you and your family possess and share are such gifts!
  19. Jessica December 19, 2019 at 10:41 am #
    ❤️❤️❤️
  20. Teresa Ragudo December 19, 2019 at 10:46 am #
    Let's start with I LOVE the Cranberries....Linger & Zombie I can't live without. The minute your song started...chicken skin was immediate and tears in the eyes came! This is so beautiful! Thank you!!!!!
  21. Laura Tosto December 19, 2019 at 10:51 am #
    LOVE! I was n college when I discovered the Cranberries, and so many memories are tied to their music. Thank you for sharing! I love it! And YES, make and album.
  22. Renae December 19, 2019 at 11:03 am #
    I LOVE The Cranberries...this was absolutely beautiful!
  23. Lisa December 19, 2019 at 11:13 am #
    ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!! Thank you for sharing!
  24. Anonymous December 19, 2019 at 11:21 am #
    Beautiful!!
  25. Heatherbthyname December 19, 2019 at 11:37 am #
    ??? so beautiful
  26. Sydney December 19, 2019 at 11:49 am #
    This is stunning! So beautiful. (Also, Will looks exactly like you!)
  27. Nicole Gerken December 19, 2019 at 11:53 am #
    OMG, Bev. This is incredible. Totally made my day!!! xoxoxo (I'm blaring this right now at the HALO office)
    • Bev Weidner December 19, 2019 at 2:07 pm #
      Ahhhh I love imagining this, Nic!!
  28. Nicole December 19, 2019 at 12:10 pm #
    OMG!!! I am a teenager again.
  29. Carisa December 19, 2019 at 12:42 pm #
    Beautiful. Bev, I always remember how beautiful your voice was when you sang in church.
  30. Karen December 19, 2019 at 1:17 pm #
    Absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
  31. Dawn December 19, 2019 at 1:22 pm #
    Stunning!!! Loved this so much <3
  32. Shari December 19, 2019 at 2:11 pm #
    Ok, I'm crying too. WTF? Amazing.
  33. Laura Torres Armijo December 19, 2019 at 2:32 pm #
    You introduced me to the cranberries! And this song always reminds me of my first years in college! I loved it then and still do!! Your version is amazing! Thank you for sharing, I always loved to hear you sing!
  34. Jessica December 19, 2019 at 3:15 pm #
    So beautiful! I actually started playing the recording before reading your post and between that and your photos it was like an instant flashback to the 90’s. The hair, the clothing, the song- so 90’s in all the best ways! Great job! And Merry Christmas! ✨
    • Whitney December 19, 2019 at 7:15 pm #
      Hi Jessica, yes total flashback. I’d love to know how you added your photo to the comment. Thanks & Merry Christmas
  35. Angie December 19, 2019 at 3:59 pm #
    ?????? Beautiful.
  36. Rachel December 19, 2019 at 4:10 pm #
    Thank you for sharing this is beautiful!
  37. Trisha F December 19, 2019 at 4:21 pm #
    LOVE LOVE LOVE... this is beautiful!
  38. Mary Kai December 19, 2019 at 5:05 pm #
    This. Is. Beyond. Beautiful. I was 23, living in Ft. Worth flying around town in my Ford Bronco II. Seems like this was always on and my favorite driving song. Please make an album. Record. Whatevs.
  39. Randee December 19, 2019 at 5:44 pm #
    Wow just wow. Always been a fan of you two since you lived down the road! Love love love this.
  40. Sandra December 19, 2019 at 6:20 pm #
    Lovely! You should add this to a playlist!
  41. Debi December 19, 2019 at 6:40 pm #
    Beautiful! Such talent you girls have!
  42. Whitney December 19, 2019 at 7:12 pm #
    I’m balling! Thank you. What a special thing to do with your sister. You both sound like angels. ✨✨?
  43. Emily December 19, 2019 at 7:17 pm #
    So beautiful ❤️ Thank you for sharing with the world!
  44. Erin Hewitt December 19, 2019 at 7:24 pm #
    So lovely! Such talent, both of you! I may love it more than the original!!
  45. Sandra December 19, 2019 at 7:39 pm #
    This is so so so lovely!
  46. Tim December 19, 2019 at 7:58 pm #
    So good chach!!
  47. Rachel December 19, 2019 at 8:19 pm #
    I’m crying!! So beautiful! Thank you for sharing. Such talent, all of you!!
  48. Christi December 19, 2019 at 9:15 pm #
    STUNNING!!! Always loved this song, but I think I like your version even more. Still requesting you and your sis do some Wilson Phillips.
  49. Anonymous December 19, 2019 at 10:53 pm #
    Wow, your voices are both amazing and even more amazing together! Definitely would buy the album if it existed!
  50. Richele Clark December 20, 2019 at 3:33 am #
    Amazing .. I wish I could share this link! And yes to an album ❤️? merry Christmas
  51. Becky K. December 20, 2019 at 4:51 am #
    That was perfection. What a masterpiece. That song brings me right back to hanging out in my best friend’s bedroom pining for Jordan Catalano. Please make an album. It would be a crime if you didn’t.
  52. Natali Molina December 20, 2019 at 6:00 am #
    This was so amazing Omgosh!!!! ?? made my day It’s soo good!! What talent!!
  53. scott December 20, 2019 at 12:19 pm #
    Awesome! Love Barbs voice
  54. Anonymous December 21, 2019 at 2:09 pm #
    Wow, you looks like A. Milano
  55. brandy December 22, 2019 at 7:58 am #
    Absolute nostalgia...amazing how a song can take you right back, to the very emotions, moments, experiences From a chapter so long ago. This is so good...I mean it is so, so, so good. I want to purchase, how?
  56. Amanda December 23, 2019 at 11:33 am #
    This is sooooo good. Yes yes yeeeeeeeees to the album.
  57. JARET FERRATUSCO December 23, 2019 at 8:10 pm #
    This is mega. ⚓️
  58. Julie December 29, 2019 at 6:13 pm #
    Bev and Barbara, thank you for this!!!! Made my night tonight. Ugh...that song. Classic.
  59. Sabrina January 3, 2020 at 12:41 pm #
    Just catching up on your blog and glad I didn't miss this year's song! Loved it.
  60. Dawn Forsythe January 3, 2020 at 5:06 pm #
    Very late in responding, but I've played this over and over while on my computer. Thank you!
  61. Amanda January 6, 2020 at 10:04 am #
    SO BEAUTIFUL!! I love when siblings sing together. There's just something about sibling voices that makes them naturally blend so beautifully. Put me down for your album!
  62. vex 3 January 14, 2020 at 4:15 am #
    The website you shared is very nice. I have found a lot of useful information, very helpful for me. Thank you very much.
  63. Jeff H. March 16, 2020 at 3:05 pm #
    Love it! My Mom used to babysit you both, so your Mom and Dad could go to choir practice in Hot Springs
  64. Terri December 23, 2020 at 10:20 pm #
    Wow!! You girls need to plan a mini tour. Sounds amazing! Love this song.
  65. Rod Kearney January 18, 2021 at 12:08 am #
    Fell in love with this song today. Better late than ever I suppose. Hauntingly beautiful song!

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