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Sinéad O'Connor — Nothing Compares 2 U
Album: I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
Avg rating:
8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3955









Released: 1990
Length: 4:55
Plays (last 30 days): 1
It's been seven hours and fifteen days
Since you took your love away
I go out every night and sleep all day
Since you took your love away

Since you been gone I can do whatever I want
I can see whomever I choose
I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant
But nothing, I said nothing can take away these blues

'Cause nothing compares
Nothing compares to you

It's been so lonely without you here
Like a bird without a song
Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling
Tell me baby, where did I go wrong

I could put my arms around every boy I see
But they'd only remind me of you
I went to the doctor and guess what he told me, guess what he told me
He said girl u better try to have fun no matter what you do, but he's a fool

'Cause nothing compares
Nothing compares to you

All the flowers that you planted mama, in the back yard
All died when you went away
I know that living with you baby was sometimes hard
But I'm willing to give it another try

Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you

Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you

Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
Comments (300)add comment
 hellsgardener wrote:

RIP Sinead. Hopeful that you are now at peace and have your arms firmly wrapped around your son.
Nothing will ever compare to the emotions this song evokes for me.




     
gets a 10 from me. 
 Paddy_Hannan wrote:

She didn't "criticise Catholics". She criticised the Catholic Church, making a brave protest about its institutional child abuse. 

And if some Catholics were offended by that, well good.

Ten, by the way.


It was the organization of the Catholic Church she criticized most.

Covering up abuse, moving priests that abused to other parishes, hiding assets to shield themselves from financial liability, pressuring newspapers not to cover the stories, etc. 

That's what she was calling attention to.
"It's been so lonely without you here" 
RIP Sinead.
 lily34 wrote:
beautiful song. just beautiful.

written by prince (dead)
made famous by sinead oconnor (dead)
covered by chris cornell (dead)

i actually thought this on the way home from work yesterday and it made me sad.

please don't let any other of my favorite artists cover this any time soon. 



And it only gets worse the older one gets. The wheel spins ever faster. In addition to the cultural touchstones, it would take more than the digits on two hands to count the people i knew that are no longer here just over the past two years or so.

Moral of the story: Savor and cherish every day, every minute, every person who means something to you. There are no ordinary moments. We are all here on a very short ride. No one knows when our number will be up. Clichés, all, but penetratingly  true and ever more evident with each passing year.
beautiful song. just beautiful.

written by prince (dead)
made famous by sinead oconnor (dead)
covered by chris cornell (dead)

i actually thought this on the way home from work yesterday and it made me sad.

please don't let any other of my favorite artists cover this any time soon. 
Timeless classic. I can still recall where I was when first hearing (seeing) this song (on MTV).
There's an excellent documentary on Sinead called "Nothing Compares".
Check it out on a streaming service near you.
some Songs do not age. This is one of those. 
Nothing compares to you Sinead.  RIP Darlin' 
RIP Sinead. Hopeful that you are now at peace and have your arms firmly wrapped around your son.
Nothing will ever compare to the emotions this song evokes for me.
 dickmahoon wrote:

Oh Sinead, nothin compares to U...Say hello to Prince for me...heaven is gonna rock...



indeed. up there with bowie and cornell, having great conversations, i'd imagine.

boy, does this song emote. she was a genuine talent.
Oh Sinead, nothin compares to U...Say hello to Prince for me...heaven is gonna rock...
https://youtu.be/tqt3YZ6gG2w Beautiful song by Sinead 💙
#nothingcompares
7/26/23 - No one compared to her.  
Just Awesome.
Just one of the greatest songs EVER. RIP mighty Prince.
 lizardking wrote:

I don't think Prince could have nailed this song like Sinead did.  I LOVE a great strong voice singing a bit off in parts, to emphasize the pain/angst/hurt, etc., in fact I've been listening to this entire album (thanks in part to BillG's playing a few tracks off it) and find it much more enjoyable than Bjork for example. 

As far as her "protest" and subsequent shaming, while I don't know all that went on or what public perception is/was of her, I really don't give a damn!  In fact, as a rebel myself, I'm partial to those that really say FUCK YOU to the "machine" - the pope being as much of the machine as it gets, in my mind.  So yeah....I'm rating it a 9.

LONG LIVE RP!!



Last week there was a report concerning the child abuse in Baltimore, MD by Roman Catholic Priests.  It was mind blowing.  If it was written as fiction I would have said it was absurd.  I'd say that she so courageous to bring up the topic when it was unacceptable to do so.   Amazing courage. 
So many really good, positive comments for this fabulous song :)
I wish I could rate this an '11'. 
All these years later....nothing compares to Sinead singing this Perfect Prince song.
If you have the opportunity to watch (and listen) to this movie (Nothing Compares) about Sinéad, I highly recommend it. Her commitment is genuine, and total. She will provoke you. However you feel about that is fine.

 lizardking wrote:

I don't think Prince could have nailed this song like Sinead did.  I LOVE a great strong voice singing a bit off in parts, to emphasize the pain/angst/hurt, etc., in fact I've been listening to this entire album (thanks in part to BillG's playing a few tracks off it) and find it much more enjoyable than Bjork for example. 

As far as her "protest" and subsequent shaming, while I don't know all that went on or what public perception is/was of her, I really don't give a damn!  In fact, as a rebel myself, I'm partial to those that really say FUCK YOU to the "machine" - the pope being as much of the machine as it gets, in my mind.  So yeah....I'm rating it a 9.

LONG LIVE RP!!



https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
I'd ask for a second opinion after the doctor's prognosis ;-)
Built to Spill - Life's a Dream
Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares to U
- - - - - - -

Smoother than a Hendrick's martini, Bill.
 espheim wrote:


Isn't it a "bit" hypocritical to criticize catholics when she later on converted to Islam.

She didn't "criticise Catholics". She criticised the Catholic Church, making a brave protest about its institutional child abuse. 

And if some Catholics were offended by that, well good.

Ten, by the way.
There’s no accounting for taste, scrubbrush; not mine, not yours. That makes the world such a beautiful place.
Out of 24 Sinead O'Connor songs on RP's playlist, the listeners concluded that this is her best one?  If there's any female singer who has tremendous range, it's her.  This was her most heavily marketed song, she has better ones out there.
 Stetsonman wrote:


its about quitting smoking you dick


Well that's a novel interpretation, and by "novel" I mean "deeply, irremediably stupid".
Listening to this, my heart breaks for her - religion, subject matter - what this song is about is heart break. In the last couple of weeks her 17 year old son committed suicide while in hospital - supposedly on suicide watch.  No mother - no Parent, should ever have to bury their child. RIP
 espheim wrote:


Isn't it a "bit" hypocritical to criticize catholics when she later on converted to Islam.


My understanding is that the Koran asserts itself as a correction/completion of the Abrahamic religious texts that preceded it. This would make Ms. O'Connor's actions reasonable if one is to have belief in these religious texts....
 xc.farmer.antoine486 wrote:

Saddest breakup song ever 😞 !



its about quitting smoking you dick
 espheim wrote:
Isn't it a "bit" hypocritical to criticize catholics when she later on converted to Islam.

I'm not sure I've ever heard of retroactive hypocrisy before.
 ziggytrix wrote:

She was just trying to get people to acknowledge the sexual abuse cover ups going on in the Catholic Church. It was 1992 and people were not ready to deal with it. But I'd say history is squarely on her side.


Isn't it a "bit" hypocritical to criticize catholics when she later on converted to Islam.
I can never hear Sinead without hearing Phil Hartman as Sinatra calling her cue ball.
If you haven't already, check out the Chris Cornell version of this song. Also great!
Saddest breakup song ever 😞 !
I still remember when this first came out - everybody knew it would be #1 in a few weeks.
Thanks RP.
 blackjellybean wrote:

For personal reasons - I love love this song.


I vividly remember the first time I heard this: 
Summer 1990, on my Honda's radio, windows down, warm breeze on my forearm, weekday afternoon traffic crawling up Montreal's Decarie expressway.

It was literally about 'seven hours and fifteen days' since my marriage of 16 years broke, and I had just awakened to the gaping reality of that loss.

It can still bring a lump to my throat...

Mea culpa.
So very much better than Prince could have done, to pull my heart strings! Amen 10/10
Nothing nothin’ button’ zip - compares 2 U 2
Amazing song. Props to Sinead and Prince.

And thanks Sinaead for being the one that taught me what a Magdalene Laundry was. I cried when I found out. I'm crying as I write this.
For personal reasons - I love love this song.
 lizardking wrote:
I don't think Prince could have nailed this song like Sinead did.  I LOVE a great strong voice singing a bit off in parts, to emphasize the pain/angst/hurt, etc., in fact I've been listening to this entire album (thanks in part to BillG's playing a few tracks off it) and find it much more enjoyable than Bjork for example. 

As far as her "protest" and subsequent shaming, while I don't know all that went on or what public perception is/was of her, I really don't give a damn!  In fact, as a rebel myself, I'm partial to those that really say FUCK YOU to the "machine" - the pope being as much of the machine as it gets, in my mind.  So yeah....I'm rating it a 9.

LONG LIVE RP!!

 
Couldn't agree more.  Already there for me!
Better than Punce’s version
 david16 wrote:
One of the best covers of all time I feel.
 
In this case the cover overtops the original.

The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (Rolling Stone Magazine)
Was never going to happen after Prince assaulted her for turning down the offer of a duet!!!


 
Jelani wrote:
So beautiful. How great would it have been to have heard a duet with Prince.
 

 TampaPurple wrote:

I dunno, check this out from the "vault" released in 2018:

https://play.google.com/music/...

Admittedly coming from a stark raving lunatic Prince fan for over 30 years.
 
Nah. I think, though, that Sinead's version with a Prince vocal accompaniment would be pretty cool. I think her arrangement is much better. Just IMO.

 forthbrdge wrote:
One of those songs that is associated with a very specific memory for me, though one that has no application to the song itself.

I was volunteering with a group of my fellow high school Thespians in a dingy conference room in downtown Detroit folding  and stuffing thousands of fundraising letters for an urban theater group.  The task took most of the day to complete and this song was at its peak and in heavy rotation at the time, so we got to hear it every 20-30 minutes on the radio that accompanied us. After a couple hours the whole gang of us would belt out the song together whenever it came up. Simple, stupid, and happy memory. 
 
 
I think that's a pretty great memory.
So beautiful. How great would it have been to have heard a duet with Prince.
One of those songs that is associated with a very specific memory for me, though one that has no application to the song itself.

I was volunteering with a group of my fellow high school Thespians in a dingy conference room in downtown Detroit folding  and stuffing thousands of fundraising letters for an urban theater group.  The task took most of the day to complete and this song was at its peak and in heavy rotation at the time, so we got to hear it every 20-30 minutes on the radio that accompanied us. After a couple hours the whole gang of us would belt out the song together whenever it came up. Simple, stupid, and happy memory. 
 
Not at all a fan of Sinead.  She totally nails this one though.   Easy eight.
...sembra impossibile con questa canzone la riconosco da sempre altre non ne ho nessuna traccia - sembra impossibile che una canzone faccia la carriera di un artista.

Sempre bellissima melodia interpretazione super!

Brava
 Baketown wrote:
One of the greatest break-up songs of all time!!
 

Agree! I remember reading when the video came out that they filmed it, co-incidentally, the day after Sinead had broken up with her boyfriend. The tear at the end of the video was real, according to this story, which is too truthy not to be true.
 Aud wrote:

HUH?? Where did you hear this?? Prince was so very non violent after a violent childhood.

 

Who can say what really happened, but that is what O'Connor claimed.

https://www.nme.com/news/music/sinead-oconnor-says-prince-tried-to-beat-her-up-and-left-female-band-member-with-broken-ribs-2548400
 lizardking wrote:
I don't think Prince could have nailed this song like Sinead did.  I LOVE a great strong voice singing a bit off in parts, to emphasize the pain/angst/hurt, etc., in fact I've been listening to this entire album (thanks in part to BillG's playing a few tracks off it) and find it much more enjoyable than Bjork for example. 

As far as her "protest" and subsequent shaming, while I don't know all that went on or what public perception is/was of her, I really don't give a damn!  In fact, as a rebel myself, I'm partial to those that really say FUCK YOU to the "machine" - the pope being as much of the machine as it gets, in my mind.  So yeah....I'm rating it a 9.

LONG LIVE RP!!

 
LONG LIVE THE LIZARDKING!
I'm sure it's a great song. Sinead has done some ok stuff. But the "no-THING COMPARES" ... the sound of it grates in my soul like nails on a chalkboard, and I can't get it out of my head, it takes several more tracks for me to move on... ARGH and sorry ... *hands over ears*
 lizardking wrote:
I don't think Prince could have nailed this song like Sinead did.  I LOVE a great strong voice singing a bit off in parts, to emphasize the pain/angst/hurt, etc., in fact I've been listening to this entire album (thanks in part to BillG's playing a few tracks off it) and find it much more enjoyable than Bjork for example. 

As far as her "protest" and subsequent shaming, while I don't know all that went on or what public perception is/was of her, I really don't give a damn!  In fact, as a rebel myself, I'm partial to those that really say FUCK YOU to the "machine" - the pope being as much of the machine as it gets, in my mind.  So yeah....I'm rating it a 9.

LONG LIVE RP!!

 
I dunno, check this out from the "vault" released in 2018:

https://play.google.com/music/...

Admittedly coming from a stark raving lunatic Prince fan for over 30 years.
 ziggytrix wrote:

She was just trying to get people to acknowledge the sexual abuse cover ups going on in the Catholic Church. It was 1992 and people were not ready to deal with it. But I'd say history is squarely on her side.
 
Thanks for filling in the gaps of my understanding....I was about 13 when this came out and wasn't my "thing" then musically, yet as I've aged, damn she WAS spot on in how she sang this...and on the controversy  aspect I say "kudos to her for having the balls to do that, then, there....Long Live rebellion and Long Live RP!!
One of the best covers of all time I feel.
Beutiful song that Prince wrote for her to sing...just missing a ripping guitar solo
I can still remember the first time I heard (and saw) this, as a video before it became a huge hit.  I found it stunning.  I still do.
 lizardking wrote:

As far as her "protest" and subsequent shaming, while I don't know all that went on or what public perception is/was of her, I really don't give a damn!  In fact, as a rebel myself, I'm partial to those that really say FUCK YOU to the "machine" - the pope being as much of the machine as it gets, in my mind.  So yeah....I'm rating it a 9.

 
She was just trying to get people to acknowledge the sexual abuse cover ups going on in the Catholic Church. It was 1992 and people were not ready to deal with it. But I'd say history is squarely on her side.
If at all possible, I always stop what I am doing to listen the great Sinéad.  I grew up on Dusty Springfield and Janis Joplin and rightfully adore them both, but this gal is something even more IMHO.

I don't think Prince could have nailed this song like Sinead did.  I LOVE a great strong voice singing a bit off in parts, to emphasize the pain/angst/hurt, etc., in fact I've been listening to this entire album (thanks in part to BillG's playing a few tracks off it) and find it much more enjoyable than Bjork for example. 

As far as her "protest" and subsequent shaming, while I don't know all that went on or what public perception is/was of her, I really don't give a damn!  In fact, as a rebel myself, I'm partial to those that really say FUCK YOU to the "machine" - the pope being as much of the machine as it gets, in my mind.  So yeah....I'm rating it a 9.

LONG LIVE RP!!

**7/26/23 RIP to a strong voiced woman with an even stronger soul**

There are songs I didn't like when they first came out but, some 20 or 30 years later, hear with some nostalgic pleasure. However, there are song I didn't like then and still am annoyed of now. This being one of the latter.
Ahhhhh! I feel a karaoke number coming on! Awesome cover!
 gratefulgator wrote:

Heh... I'm stifling the urge too - there are only 2 of us here - if only my coworker would take a bathroom break right now!
 
Ah...just let it go! I am! {#Cheesygrin}
 On_The_Beach wrote:

People love to believe negative things about celebrities.
Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

 
Alternative Facts, HuH?

I do find this incredibly dull. {#Drunk}
 Aud wrote:
HUH?? Where did you hear this?? Prince was so very non violent after a violent childhood.
 
People love to believe negative things about celebrities.
Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
 Skydog wrote:
Prince was a tad upset when O'Conner did his song
He invited her over to his place when she was in town
He unloaded a verbal berating and destroyed just about everything in the room to get the message across that he didn't ever want her to do any more of his songs

as long as he didn't lay finger on her I'm okay with it because Prince was always overly dramatic 
drama is a fullfilling drug
 

 
HUH?? Where did you hear this?? Prince was so very non violent after a violent childhood.
Thank you Prince and Sinead for this incomparable song.
RIP Prince.
{#Notworthy}
The usual awesome programming by Radio Paradise.

RIP Prince.
A profoundly, perfect and beautiful follow up to Prince.......
Brilliant! Great follow to Little Red Corvette. RIP Prince.
Amazing Record.
Amazing Song.
Amazing Prince!
Outstanding. Startling next to Prince's rendition.  When she sings 'all the flowers.....' I almost cry. 
I just can't get into OConnor doing love songs or heartbroken songs because she is such a turn off
 
Sinead O'Connor reveals son is battling 'life-threatening' illness and cancels all gigs
https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/sinead-oconnor-reveals-son-battling-6145267


I met her once, at a gig. She was very polite. Beautiful girtl and fantastic voice. Great song! 
 

 

Sinead had issues with John Paul

 

 

scraig wrote:


It was in regards to the child abuse scandals and cover ups within the Catholic church.
This is still one of the worst songs ever.  

 
I don't know, but she sure has big hands.
 stunix wrote:
 PA1749 wrote:
I believe that this action was in response to the pope's decree that if a husband or wife in a relationship had HIV that protection was still not allowed. Talk about issuing a death sentence to the masses.  I'm on her side.


He also recently said that climate control is a very important issue and we should all be doing our bit, but again, no mention of the elephant in the room, aka, population control.


 
Two different popes ...
 PA1749 wrote:
I believe that this action was in response to the pope's decree that if a husband or wife in a relationship had HIV that protection was still not allowed. Talk about issuing a death sentence to the masses.  I'm on her side.


He also recently said that climate control is a very important issue and we should all be doing our bit, but again, no mention of the elephant in the room, aka, population control.

 PA1749 wrote:
I believe that this action was in response to the pope's decree that if a husband or wife in a relationship had HIV that protection was still not allowed. Talk about issuing a death sentence to the masses.  I'm on her side.

Sinead had issues with John Paul

 

 
It was in regards to the child abuse scandals and cover ups within the Catholic church.
This is still one of the worst songs ever.  
I believe that this action was in response to the pope's decree that if a husband or wife in a relationship had HIV that protection was still not allowed. Talk about issuing a death sentence to the masses.  I'm on her side.

Sinead had issues with John Paul

 


 beasty7 wrote:
Sinead, where have you gone? Come back!

 
She's back, alright.

 
Sinead, where have you gone? Come back!
 GuiltyFeat wrote:
Undeniable.

This song seems preserved in amber. The perfect combination of songwriter and performer.

 
Well said.
Transcends the linear rating system. 
Bought the album -- yes, the wax item -- when the record hit Cat's Record Store in 1990. A starling vocal style that marked a change in pop taste in the late 20th century.
So many record companies insisted on signing sound-a-likes for many years after this single went ermm...viral. No surprise. None had the passion of Sinead. Poor lass. Her emotion apparently came from an existence the likes of which would terrify regular folk.
Beautiful voice from a very misunderstood soul.
Great song that I first heard from "The Family" (prince prodigy band) {#Dancingbanana_2}
Right in there with all you other "10"s!
STILL A GREAT SONG!
YESSSSSSSSS RP, SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD TURN IT UP
 ri_shelton wrote:
This song is a 'poster child' for minor key settings. Probably more than the Amy Winehouse song "Back to Black"!

https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/the-science-of-music-why-do-songs-in-a-minor-key-sound-sad 

 
I agree with the article in the link, except for this song is not in a minor key.  I fact the whole song only has one minor chord in it!
{#Bananapiano}  " Most Excellent " for me
This song is a 'poster child' for minor key settings. Probably more than the Amy Winehouse song "Back to Black"!

https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/the-science-of-music-why-do-songs-in-a-minor-key-sound-sad 
Amazing voice.
A good song, loaded with angst and sorrow, that reminds me of a terrible breakup at the time this was popular.  I wonder how she's doing. My ex-, not Sinead, who I suppose is fine in Ireland. 
Undeniable.

This song seems preserved in amber. The perfect combination of songwriter and performer.
She does great and subtle things with her voice against that lush, stringsy background.
 midreaming wrote:
Snap you read my mind.. all way from Canada   so it turns out her critique of the pope and catholic church was maybe a little more valid than people gave her credit for..(?) 

 

Maybe or maybe not. I'll need to research her story.  But, I love this song.
Has that Prince sound too.
Snap you read my mind.. all way from Canada   so it turns out her critique of the pope and catholic church was maybe a little more valid than people gave her credit for..(?) 
Sinead had issues with John Paul
 ziakut wrote:
Prince is a genius.

 
Yes!
I have not heard this in a long time... sounds real nice!  Hang in there Sinead!
 
I usually sneer at this genre, but I can't help but liking her music.... reminds me of people I used to know.
{#Eh} Not my cup of tea...
I think I would really enjoy a version of this on acoustic guitar with light reverb...and maybe a Neko Case singing it. I would really LOVE that! Let me also add the part about it happening in my room. Ok, ok...then the alarm sounds and I wake up.
 AndyJ wrote:
The less often I hear her, the better I like her when she comes around... Once a month is just about right...
Like cheesecake, enough becomes too much very quickly.
 
I feel the same way about this one. I hated it when it was a hit, though this was probably in part due to hearing drunk teenage girls sing along to it very badly every night.


 ziakut wrote:
Prince is a genius.
 
Agreed!, Also, Carlos Santana said Prince is his favorite guitarist...
i know a lot of women like this song, and its gotten me a few kisses.... but dang ol man!!! i realy dont like this song. {#Frustrated}
 dsd wrote:
To me she is in a class all by herself............
 
Thank God for the rest of us!
Prince is a genius.