On Sunday night’s SNL50: The Anniversary Special, Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard joined forces to deliver a powerful cover of “Nothing Compares 2 U,” the iconic song penned by Prince and immortalized by Sinéad O’Connor. The performance served as a highlight of the anniversary show, paying homage to both the legendary sketch comedy program and the unforgettable music it hasPlatformed.
Cyrus, known for her dynamic vocal range, brought a raspy edge to the emotional ballad, while Alabama Shakes frontwoman Brittany Howard infused the performance with her signature soulful guitar riffs. Their rendition honored the tender yet strong vulnerability that O’Connor famously conveyed in her rendition of “Nothing Compares 2 U,” injecting a fresh energy into the beloved melody for a new generation of viewers. This collaboration highlighted the enduring power of the “Nothing Compares 2 U song” and its ability to resonate across different vocal styles and interpretations.
While Sinéad O’Connor graced the SNL stage as a musical guest twice in her career, she notably never performed her signature hit, “Nothing Compares 2 U,” on the show. Interestingly, the song reached the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1990 for four weeks, cementing its place in music history. O’Connor’s most remembered SNL appearance was in 1992 when she sang an a cappella version of Bob Marley’s “War” as a protest. During this performance, she controversially tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II to protest against child abuse within the Catholic Church, a moment that sparked immediate backlash and effectively ended her relationship with the show.
Cyrus and Howard’s choice to cover “Nothing Compares 2 U” on the SNL50 special was widely interpreted as a poignant nod to O’Connor’s controversial yet ultimately vindicated stance during her 1992 appearance. It served as a respectful acknowledgment of O’Connor’s legacy and the impact of “Nothing Compares 2 U song” as more than just a breakup anthem, but also a vehicle for deep emotional expression and artistic courage.
In a lighter moment during the SNL50 anniversary special, Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon opened the show with a duet of “Homeward Bound.” This classic Simon & Garfunkel hit, which reached No. 5 on the Hot 100 in 1966, provided a contrast to the emotional depth of Cyrus and Howard’s performance, showcasing the breadth of musical history celebrated throughout the evening. The SNL50: The Anniversary Special followed SNL50: The Homecoming Concert, further extending the celebration of SNL’s 50-year contribution to television and music.
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Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard perform Nothing Compares 2 U SNL50]
