No Need to Argue

In some of the songs, the band decided to take on a rockier and heavier side, using distortion and increasing the volume. Drummer Fergal Lawler said the musical change happened because after two years of touring to promote their debut album, "we had been used to hearing ourselves loud on stage and everything, so maybe that's a natural thing that happened then." During a week off in New York City, the band decided to record demos for the upcoming album, and after calling producer Stephen Street and having him fly in from London, recorded early versions of six songs at the Magic Shop recording studios.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidchiu/2020/11/20/the-cranberries-revisit-their-hit-album-no-need-to-argue-and-the-legacy-of-zombie-on-a-new-reissue/?sh=1e4b85f71112|title=The Cranberries Revisit Their Hit Album 'No Need To Argue' And The Legacy Of 'Zombie'|author=Chiu, David|work=Forbes|date=20 November 2020|accessdate=2 April 2024}}

The song "Yeats' Grave" is about William Butler Yeats, and quotes one of his poems, No Second Troy.

The O'Riordan written track "Zombie" is, according to her, about the Warrington IRA bombings in 1993 that resulted in the death of two children.{{cite web|url=https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-cranberries/zombie|title=Zombie by The Cranberries |website=Songfacts.com|access-date=24 January 2019}} "The Icicle Melts" a track written by O'Riordan, she states in a 1994 issue of Vox magazine[http://cranberriesworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/1994.11.xx-VOX.pdf " November 1994 Vox magazine Issue of The cranberries"] as well as a 1994 Hot Press article [http://cranberriesworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/1994.01.26-Hot-Press.pdf "January 1994 issue of Hot Press magazine featuring The Cranberries"] that the song was written about the case of James Bulger and her reaction. O'Riordan also states in the 1994 Hot press article that the original title of the song was "The Liverpool child" a reference to where James Bulger was murdered.

For the sleeve design, art director Cally re-enlisted photographer Andy Earl and hired the same sofa that featured on the debut album. The sofa was transported by hand to many locations in and around Dublin including Dalkey Island, coming to rest in a photo studio in Dublin where the white room had been constructed for the cover shot. The band, somewhat influenced by a recent Blur photo, decided to dress up and wear suits. The hand lettering was by Charlotte Villiers, video coordinator at Island Records and distant relative of the Villiers engine manufacturing family.{{cite web|url=http://www.ilbaluardo.com/Cover/Audio/S%20-%20T%20-%20U/THE%20CRANBERRIES%20-%20No%20need%20to%20argue%20-%20Front.jpg |title=The Cranberries - No need to argue, Credit information |website=ilbaluardo.com|date=September 20, 2019|access-date=September 20, 2019}}

Each single sleeve featured the band on the sofa in a different location. These images also appeared in the album's booklet. The disc itself featured a photo of just the sofa in the same room. The sofa later appeared in the video for "Alright" by the British band Supergrass in 1995.{{cite web|url=http://cranberriesworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Twenty-One-The-Cranberries-Newsletter-issue-4-April-1996.pdf|title=Twenty-One-The-Cranberries-Newsletter-issue-4-April-1996|website=cranberriesworld.com|date=September 20, 2019|access-date=September 20, 2019|archive-date=31 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031185037/http://cranberriesworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Twenty-One-The-Cranberries-Newsletter-issue-4-April-1996.pdf|url-status=dead}}

{{Album reviews

| subtitle = Initial reviews (in 1994)

| rev1 = Chicago Tribune

| rev1score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-10-20-9410200261-story.html |title=The Cranberries: No Need to Argue |first=Mark |last=Caro |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=20 October 1994 |access-date=24 January 2019}}

| rev2 = Robert Christgau

| rev2score = {{Rating-Christgau|hm2}}{{cite web|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=the+cranberries|title=Robert Christgau: CG: the cranberries|publisher=Robertchristgau.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}

| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev3score = B{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1994/10/07/album-review-no-need-argue/|title=Album Review: 'No Need to Argue'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=24 January 2019}}

| rev4 = Knoxville News Sentinel

| rev4score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}Campbell, Chuck (28 October 1994). "Bedtime' With Madonna Is A Bit Drowsy". Knoxville News Sentinel.

| rev5 = Music Week

| rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|first=Martin|last=Aston|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-09-24.pdf#page=16|title=Market Preview: Alternative|magazine=Music Week|date=24 September 1994|page=16|access-date=14 June 2025}}

| rev6 = NME

| rev6score = 4/10{{cite journal |last=Sutherland |first=Steve |title=Turkey! |journal=NME |date=8 October 1994 |page=43}}

| rev7 = Q

| rev7score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |title=The Cranberries: No Need to Argue |magazine=Q |issue=98 |date=November 1994 |page=106}}

| rev8 = San Francisco Examiner

| rev8score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite news |last=Arnold |first=G. |title=Not a Lot of Juice In Cranberries' Argue |newspaper=San Francisco Examiner |date=30 October 1994}}

| rev9 = Select

| rev9score = {{rating|2|5|full=U+25A0.svg|empty=U+25A1.svg|rating=medal}}{{cite magazine|first=Mark|last=Morris|url=https://selectmagazinescans.monkeon.co.uk/showpage.php?file=wp-content/uploads/2014/06/albums21.jpg|title=New Albums|work=Select|date=November 1994|page=106|access-date=25 December 2024}}

}}

{{Album ratings

| subtitle = Retrospective reviews (after 1994)

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|first=Ned |last=Raggett|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/no-need-to-argue-mw0000626604|title=No Need to Argue - review|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=14 November 2020}}

| rev2 = Rolling Stone

| rev2score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Stenger|first=Wif|title=The Cranberries - No Need To Argue|magazine=Rolling Stone|url=http://rollingstone.com/artists/thecranberries/albums/album/205461/review/6067316/no_need_to_argue|date=2 February 1998|access-date=7 November 2013 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014105844/http://rollingstone.com/artists/thecranberries/albums/album/205461/review/6067316/no_need_to_argue|archive-date=14 October 2007}}

| rev3 = Sputnikmusic

| rev3score = 4.5/5{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/8877/The-Cranberries-No-Need-to-Argue/|title=The Cranberries - No Need to Argue (album review 3) |publisher=Sputnikmusic|access-date=24 January 2019}}

}}

Dylan Yadav of Immortal Reviews wrote: "No Need To Argue, their 1994 record that cemented their importance in Irish music". Yadav described that the "rustic upbringing" of O'Riordan's childhood—reflected on "Ode to My Family", "gives credence to the rest of the album and it's personal, grassroots presence". "Yeats' Grave", in "similar fashion" of "Zombie", "is dark and describes those struggles", Yadav opined. He finished the retrospective review by stating that "the Cranberries turned their struggles to art in No Need To Argue, an album that helped bring to light what the culture of Ireland was. Dolores O'Riordan made it all happen with her voice, and that's not to discredit the rest of the band; but that voice is what made the Cranberries stand out amongst the rest. She voiced the struggle of a whole country".{{cite news|last=Yadav|first=Dylan|date=18 January 2018|title=The Cranberries Turned Their Struggles To Art In 'No Need To Argue'|url=http://www.immortalreviews.com/home/2018/1/18/the-cranberries-turned-their-struggles-to-art-in-no-need-to-argue|url-status=live|work=Immortal Reviews|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201127173458/http://www.immortalreviews.com/home/2018/1/18/the-cranberries-turned-their-struggles-to-art-in-no-need-to-argue|archive-date=27 November 2020|access-date=27 November 2020}} In a contemporary review, J. D. Considine wrote that some songs reminded the vocal styles of other artists like "Ridiculous Thoughts" recalling Sinéad O'Connor, "particularly the way O'Riordan handles the phrase 'Twister, aow' and "Zombie" is a bit too much like early Siouxsie and the Banshees". Though Considine positively added, "neither song makes that debt seem especially problematic". The reviewer praised O'Riordan for her performance; "the most memorable thing about her delivery is its unvarnished emotionality".{{cite news |first=J.D. |last=Considine |title=There's no disputing the power and emotion in Cranberries' mournful melodies |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1994/10/04/theres-no-disputing-the-power-and-emotion-in-cranberries-mournful-melodies/|work=The Baltimore Sun |date=4 October 1994|url-status=unfit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031034213/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1994-10-04/features/1994277164_1_oriordan-zombie-aow|archive-date=31 October 2015|access-date=1 February 2017}} In a retrospective review, AllMusic noted a progression in O'Riordan's way of singing: "No Need to Argue starts to see O'Riordan take a more commanding and self-conscious role", notably on the heavy rock track "Zombie". However, reviewer Ned Raggett stated; "where No Need succeeds best is when the Cranberries stick at what they know, resulting in a number of charmers like "Twenty One," the uilleann pipes-touched "Daffodil's Lament," [...] and the evocative "Disappointment"."

On 5 August 1995, Billboard stated that No Need to Argue was PolyGram's highest selling album of the year to date, with 5.1 million copies sold in six months.{{cite magazine|last=Jeffrey|first=Don|date=5 August 1995|title=Pop Hits Fuel Gains; Stock Reaches All-Time High|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xwsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA3|url-status=dead|magazine=Billboard|volume=107|issue=31|page=3|issn=0006-2510|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127180517/https://books.google.com/books?id=xwsEAAAAMBAJ&q=&pg=PA3|archive-date=27 November 2020|access-date=27 November 2020}} On 10 March 1996, the Cranberries won a Juno Awards for Best-Selling Album.{{cite web|url=https://junoawards.ca/nomination/1996-best-selling-album-foreign-or-domestic-the-cranberries/|title=1996 Award Winner {{!}} Best Selling Album|author=|date=1996|publisher=Juno Award|access-date=27 November 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200405153631/https://junoawards.ca/nomination/1996-best-selling-album-foreign-or-domestic-the-cranberries/|archive-date=5 April 2020}} In 2009, No Need to Argue was ranked No. 90 on Billboard magazine: "300 Best-Selling Albums of All Time".{{cite web|url=http://www.moopy.org.uk/forums/threads/billboard-magazine-best-selling-albums-worldwide.59751/|title=Billboard Magazine: Best selling albums worldwide|author=Ellie|date=14 April 2009|website=Moopy|location=UK|access-date=27 November 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201127193901/http://www.moopy.org.uk/forums/threads/billboard-magazine-best-selling-albums-worldwide.59751/|archive-date=27 November 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://prince.org/msg/8/304825|title=Billboard Magazine: 300 Best Selling Albums (Worldwide)|author=|date=13 April 2009|website=Prince.org|access-date=27 November 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130113061708/http://prince.org/msg/8/304825|archive-date=13 January 2013}} In July 2014, Guitar World placed No Need to Argue at No. 41 in their "Superunknown: 50 Iconic Albums That Defined 1994" list.{{cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/superunknown-50-iconic-albums-defined-1994|title=Superunknown: 50 Iconic Albums That Defined 1994|date=14 July 2014|work=Guitar World|access-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229231932/https://www.guitarworld.com/features/superunknown-50-iconic-albums-defined-1994}}

{{track_listing

| all_lyrics = Dolores O'Riordan

| all_music = O'Riordan and Noel Hogan, except where noted

| title1 = Ode to My Family

| length1 = {{duration|m=4|s=31}}

| title2 = I Can't Be with You

| length2 = {{duration|m=3|s=8}}

| title3 = Twenty One

| length3 = {{duration|m=3|s=7}}

| title4 = Zombie

| music4 = O'Riordan

| length4 = {{duration|m=5|s=6}}

| title5 = Empty

| length5 = {{duration|m=3|s=28}}

| title6 = Everything I Said

| length6 = {{duration|m=3|s=52}}

| title7 = The Icicle Melts

| music7 = O'Riordan

| length7 = {{duration|m=2|s=54}}

| title8 = Disappointment

| length8 = {{duration|m=4|s=14}}

| title9 = Ridiculous Thoughts

| length9 = {{duration|m=4|s=33}}

| title10 = Dreaming My Dreams

| music10 = O'Riordan

| length10 = {{duration|m=3|s=37}}

| title11 = Yeats' Grave

| music11 = O'Riordan

| length11 = {{duration|m=2|s=59}}

| title12 = Daffodil Lament

| music12 = O'Riordan

| length12 = {{duration|m=6|s=8}}

| title13 = No Need to Argue

| music13 = O'Riordan

| length13 = {{duration|m=2|s=54}}

| total_length = {{duration|m=50|s=30}}

}}

{{track_listing

| headline = The Complete Sessions 1994–1995 (2002)

| title14 = Away

| length14 = {{duration|m=2|s=38}}

| title15 = I Don't Need

| length15 = {{duration|m=3|s=32}}

| title16 = (They Long to Be) Close to You

| writer16 = {{hlist|Burt Bacharach|Hal David}}

| length16 = {{duration|m=2|s=41}}

| title17 = So Cold in Ireland

| length17 = {{duration|m=4|s=45}}

| title18 = Zombie

| note18 = Camel's Hump mix

| length18 = {{duration|m=7|s=54}}

| total_length = {{duration|m=73|s=50}}

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = 25th Anniversary Edition (2020)

| title14 = Yesterday’s Gone

| note14 = from MTV Unplugged

| length14 = 4:01

| title15 = Away

| length15 = 2:40

| title16 = I Don’t Need

| length16 = 3:30

| title17 = So Cold in Ireland

| length17 = 4:44

| title18 = (They Long to Be) Close to You

| length18 = 2:41

| title19 = Zombie

| note19 = A Camel’s Hump Remix by The Orb

| length19 = 7:52

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Magic Shop demos

| title1 = Song to My Family

| length1 = 4:34

| title2 = So Cold in Ireland

| length2 = 4:38

| title3 = Empty

| length3 = 3:23

| title4 = Ridiculous Thoughts

| length4 = 4:11

| title5 = Everything I Said

| length5 = 3:57

| title6 = Yeats’ Grave

| length6 = 3:07

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Demos

| title7 = Serious

| length7 = 2:41

| title8 = Away

| length8 = 2:26

| title9 = I Don’t Need

| length9 = 3:22

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Live at the Liverpool Royal Court, 14 October 1994

| title10 = Dreaming My Dreams

| length10 = 4:28

| title11 = Daffodil Lament

| length11 = 4:55

| title12 = The Icicle Melts

| length12 = 3:25

| title13 = No Need to Argue

| length13 = 3:07

| title14 = Empty

| length14 = 3:36

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Live at the National Stadium, Milton Keynes, 30 July 1995

| title15 = I Can’t Be with You

| length15 = 3:18

| title16 = Ridiculous Thoughts

| length16 = 6:32

| title17 = Zombie

| length17 = 5:51

}}

Personnel adapted from No Need to Argue liner notes

;The Cranberries

• Dolores O'Riordan – vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, string arrangements
• Noel Hogan – electric and acoustic guitars
• Mike Hogan – bass guitar
• Fergal Lawler – drums, percussion

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for No Need to Argue}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Argentina|type=album|title=No Need to Argue|artist=The Cranberries|award=Platinum|relyear=1994|certyear=1994|certref={{cite web|url=http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=1&LanDesde_AA=1980&LanHasta_MM=12&LanHasta_AA=2010&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110706084844/http://www.capif.org.ar/Default.asp?PerDesde_MM=0&PerDesde_AA=0&PerHasta_MM=0&PerHasta_AA=0&interprete=&album=&LanDesde_MM=1&LanDesde_AA=1980&LanHasta_MM=12&LanHasta_AA=2010&Galardon=O&Tipo=1&ACCION2=+Buscar+&ACCION=Buscar&CO=5&CODOP=ESOP |archive-date= 6 July 2011 |title=Discos de oro y platino |access-date=23 May 2019 |publisher=Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas |language=es |url-status=dead }}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=album|artist=Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|award=Platinum|number=5|relyear=1994|certyear=1995|salesamount=400,000|salesref=|access-date=22 January 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=album|artist=The Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|award=Platinum|relyear=1994|certyear=1995}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=album|artist=The Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1994|certyear=1995}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|artist=The Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|award=Platinum|number=5|relyear=1994|certyear=1995|salesamount=900,000|salesref={{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9gsEAAAAMBAJ&dq=to+the+faithful+departed+cranberries+worldwide+sales&pg=PA47|magazine=Billboard|issn=0006-2510|title=Canada Nice Alternative For Reid|first=Larry|last=Leblanc|page=47|date=4 May 1996|access-date=22 January 2022}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=album|artist=Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|award=Platinum|number=5|relyear=1994|certyear=2023|id=13357|access-date=2 January 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Finland|type=album|artist=Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|award=Gold|relyear=1994|certyear=1995|salesamount=31,876}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|relyear=1994|type=album|award=Diamond|artist=The Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|certyear=1996|source=infodisc|salesamount=1,500,000|salesref={{cite web|url=http://www.chartsinfrance.net/The-Cranberries/news-114390.html|title=The Cranberries : une réédition de l'album "No Need To Argue" avec un titre inédit|publisher=Charts in France|editor=Pure Charts|access-date=27 February 2022|language=fr|date=11 July 2020}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=album|artist=The Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|award=Platinum|relyear=1994|certyear=1994|salesamount=1,000,000|salesref=|access-date=22 January 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Indonesia|type=album|artist=Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|nocert=true|relyear=1994|salesamount=170,000|note=combined sales of first two albums|salesref={{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ag4EAAAAMBAJ&q=hit+parade+italy+cranberries&pg=PA103|magazine=Billboard|issn=0006-2510|title=Cranberries Are The Pick of Island's International Crop|first= Paul |last= Sexton |page=103|date=30 September 1995|access-date=23 May 2019}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|award=Gold|artist=Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|type=album|relyear=2018|certyear=2022|note= since 2009|access-date=17 October 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Malaysia|type=album|artist=Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|nocert=true|relyear=1994|salesamount=150,000|note=combined sales of first two albums|salesref=|access-date=23 May 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|type=album|artist=Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|nocert=true|relyear=1994|salesamount=200,000|note=combined sales of first two albums|salesref=|access-date=23 May 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|type=album|artist=The Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|award=Platinum|relyear=1994|certyear=1995}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=album|artist=The Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|award=Platinum|relyear=1994|id=1996-06-21|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certyear=1995}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|type=album|artist=Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|award=Platinum|relyear=1994|certyear=1999}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=album|artist=Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=1994|certyear=1995|certref={{cite book |last=Salaverrie |first=Fernando |date=September 2005 |url=http://www.mediafire.com/file/vqzno2c0fe48zam/Spanish+Certifications+for+1991-1995.pdf |title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 |language=es |edition=1st |location=Madrid |publisher=Fundación Autor/SGAE |page=939 |isbn=84-8048-639-2 |access-date=23 May 2019}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=album|artist=Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|award=Platinum|relyear=1994|certyear=1995}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|type=album|artist=The Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|award=Platinum|relyear=1994|certyear=1995}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|artist=Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=1994|certyear=1996|id=4606-218-2}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=The Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|award=Platinum|number=7|relyear=1994|certyear=1996}}

{{Certification Table Summary}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|type=album|artist=Cranberries|title=No Need to Argue|award=Platinum|number=5|relyear=1994|certyear=1997|salesamount=5,500,000|salesref={{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-12-23.pdf|title=This Year in Charts - Where is European Talent|magazine=Music & Media|via=World Radio History|page=15|date=23 December 1995|accessdate=28 May 2021}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|nocert=true|salesamount=17,000,000|salesref={{cite news|last=Leas|first=Ryan|date=3 October 2014|title=No Need To Argue Turns 20|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1709515/no-need-to-argue-turns-20/reviews/the-anniversary/|url-status=live|work=Stereogum|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201127203745/https://www.stereogum.com/1709515/no-need-to-argue-turns-20/reviews/the-anniversary/|archive-date=27 November 2020|access-date=27 November 2020|quote=As of 2014}}}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

{{Reflist}}

{{The Cranberries}}

{{Juno Award for International Album of the Year}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:No Need To Argue}}

Category:1994 albums

Category:The Cranberries albums

Category:Albums produced by Stephen Street

Category:Island Records albums

Category:Juno Award for International Album of the Year albums

Category:1990s in Irish music