Chris Cornell, the iconic voice of Soundgarden and Audioslave, delivered a poignant acoustic cover of “Nothing Compares 2 U,” a song penned by Prince and famously performed by Sinéad O’Connor. This release served as a heartfelt tribute to the legendary songwriter, following Prince’s untimely passing. Cornell’s raw and emotionally charged rendition highlights the enduring power of the song and its deep resonance. The recording, characterized by its intimacy – capturing the subtle sounds of Cornell’s guitar and microphone interaction – amplifies the track’s inherent vulnerability and profound sentiment.
Cornell shared a deeply personal message alongside the release, expressing his admiration for Prince and the universe he created through his music. “Prince’s music is the soundtrack to the soulful and beautiful universe he created, and we have all been privileged to be part of that amazing world,” Cornell wrote. He revealed that “Nothing Compares 2 U” had become a recent addition to his repertoire, stating, “I performed his song ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ for the first time a couple months ago. It has a timeless relevance for me and practically everyone I know.”
The weight of Prince’s lyrics took on a new, sorrowful meaning in the wake of his death, a sentiment Cornell eloquently captured. “Sadly, now his own lyrics in this song could not be more relevant than at this moment, and I sing them now in reverence as I pay tribute to this unequaled artist who has given all of our lives so much inspiration and made the world so much more interesting,” he continued. His closing words, “We will miss you Prince!!!,” resonated with the collective grief felt by fans worldwide.
“Nothing Compares 2 U” has a rich and fascinating history beyond its association with Sinéad O’Connor. Prince originally crafted the song in 1985 for The Family, a band signed to his Paisley Park Records under Warner Bros. Susannah Melvoin, who was briefly engaged to Prince, provided the lead vocals for The Family’s version, which appeared on their self-titled debut album. However, it was O’Connor’s 1990 rendition that catapulted the song to global fame. Released as the second single from her critically acclaimed album, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got, O’Connor’s version became an instant classic. The accompanying music video, featuring a close-up of O’Connor’s face as she sang with tearful sincerity, became iconic and propelled the song to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
Prince himself embraced the song’s widespread popularity and began incorporating it into his own live performances shortly after O’Connor’s version dominated airwaves. A particularly memorable live rendition, a duet with the powerful vocalist Rosie Gaines, was featured on his 1993 compilation album, The Hits/The B Sides. Adding another layer of poignancy, Prince performed “Nothing Compares 2 U” at his final full concert at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, a mere week before his passing, solidifying the song’s enduring significance within his musical legacy and its poignant relevance as a farewell.
