“Nothing Compares 2 U” is a song that has resonated across the globe, famously popularized by Sinead O’Connor. However, the story of this iconic track begins with The Family, a band closely associated with Prince. Featured as the sixth track on The Family‘s debut and only album, this song, penned by Prince, holds a unique place in music history. While Prince wrote the majority of the album’s tracks, “Nothing Compares 2 U” stands out as the only one officially credited solely to him on the original release by The Family. This article delves into the journey of “Nothing Compares 2 U,” from its origins with The Family to its worldwide acclaim and enduring legacy through Prince’s own renditions.
The Genesis with The Family
Recorded and released by The Family in 1985, “Nothing Compares 2 U” was initially a deep cut on their self-titled album. While seven of the eight songs on the album were crafted by Prince, this particular track showcased his songwriting prowess and emotional depth. The original recording sessions took place in 1984, with basic tracking occurring at the Flying Cloud Drive Warehouse in Eden Prairie, Minnesota on July 15th. Susannah Melvoin contributed backing vocals to this initial version. Later, St. Paul Peterson and Susannah Melvoin added overdubbed vocals, and Clare Fischer enriched the track with orchestral arrangements. This early version, while not initially a chart-topping hit, laid the foundation for the song’s future impact.
Sinead O’Connor’s Global Hit
It was Sinead O’Connor’s powerful rendition in 1990 that catapulted “Nothing Compares 2 U” to international stardom. Her version transformed the song into a worldwide number one single, embedding its poignant lyrics and emotional intensity into the cultural consciousness. O’Connor’s interpretation, with its raw vulnerability, resonated deeply with audiences, making the song an anthem of heartbreak and longing. Ironically, this global success overshadowed the original version by The Family, introducing the song to many as a Sinead O’Connor original, despite its Prince composition and initial release by his associated act.
Prince’s Reclaiming and Live Performances
Following Sinead O’Connor’s phenomenal success, Prince began to incorporate “Nothing Compares 2 U” into his own concert performances. In 1993, he released a live version on his compilation album “The Hits 1.” This rendition, featuring Rosie Gaines on shared lead vocals and recorded live at Paisley Park Studios in 1992, marked Prince’s public embrace of the song in his own discography. From 1990 onwards, “Nothing Compares 2 U” became a consistent feature in Prince’s live shows, demonstrating its significance in his repertoire. He further solidified its place in his live albums with another version released in 2002 on “One Nite Alone… Live!”, showcasing its enduring appeal to his fans.
Inspiration and Evolution
Prince’s inspiration for “Nothing Compares 2 U” was partly drawn from his personal experiences. Sandy Scipioni, his personal assistant in the 1980s, had to leave her position suddenly after the death of her father. While their relationship was not romantic, this event sparked the emotions that fueled the song’s lyrics about loss and irreplaceable connection. Interestingly, jazz legend Miles Davis had expressed interest in recording an instrumental version of the song. However, Prince, feeling it would be “corny” to simply overlay a trumpet onto an existing vocal track, declined the request. Instead, around 1991, he revisited the song, re-recording it with a different arrangement, showcasing his continuous artistic exploration of his own compositions.
Posthumous Release and Enduring Legacy
In 2018, a previously unreleased mix of Prince’s original 1984 recording of “Nothing Compares 2 U” was made available posthumously. This version, mixed by Tony Maserati to mirror Prince’s initial intent, included Clare Fischer’s orchestral overdubs and Susannah Melvoin’s backing vocals, offering a fresh yet historically grounded perspective on the song’s genesis. This release, available on streaming platforms and as a limited edition vinyl, served to further highlight Prince’s original artistry behind the song, initially introduced by The Family. Subsequently, this 2018 mix was also included in the posthumous album “Originals” in 2019, underscoring the song’s importance within Prince’s vast catalog of compositions.
In conclusion, “Nothing Compares 2 U” is a song with a rich and multifaceted history. Originating from The Family and written by Prince, it achieved global fame through Sinead O’Connor’s cover, only to be reclaimed and continually reinterpreted by Prince himself throughout his career. From its initial release with The Family to its posthumous resurfacing in Prince’s original voice, the song’s journey reflects its enduring emotional power and the indelible mark it has left on music history. It stands as a testament to Prince’s songwriting genius and the song’s universal theme of irreplaceable love and loss, a sentiment that truly ensures that when it comes to certain connections, indeed, nothing compares.
