“Nothing Compares 2 U” is globally recognized as a signature hit for Sinead O’Connor, but its origins trace back to The Family, a side project band of the legendary Prince. Featured as the sixth track on The Family’s eponymous debut album in 1985, this song, penned by Prince himself, offers a poignant exploration of longing and loss. While Prince officially credited himself for only this track out of the eight on the album, “Nothing Compares 2 U” holds a unique place in his vast catalog, predating the worldwide phenomenon it would become through O’Connor’s rendition.
Penned in 1984, the initial recording of “Nothing Compares 2 U” by Prince was a relatively low-key affair. Basic tracking occurred at the Flying Cloud Drive Warehouse in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, on July 15, 1984. Susannah Melvoin contributed backing vocals to this original recording. Later, St. Paul Peterson and Susannah Melvoin added further vocal layers, and Clare Fischer enriched the track with orchestral overdubs, adding depth and emotional resonance to the song’s core.
Despite being a Prince composition, it was The Family who first introduced “Nothing Compares 2 U” to the world. The Family, consisting of St. Paul Peterson on lead vocals, Susannah Melvoin, and other Prince associates, presented a smooth, soulful rendition of the song on their album. While the album itself didn’t achieve mainstream success upon its release, the song quietly showcased Prince’s songwriting prowess and the inherent emotional power of “Nothing Compares 2 U”.
The trajectory of “Nothing Compares 2 U” shifted dramatically when Sinead O’Connor covered the song in 1990. Her powerfully raw and emotionally charged performance transformed the song into a global anthem. O’Connor’s version topped charts worldwide, becoming an instant classic and eclipsing The Family’s original in popular consciousness. This global success inevitably drew attention back to Prince’s authorship and The Family’s initial recording.
Following Sinead O’Connor’s monumental success, Prince incorporated “Nothing Compares 2 U” into his live performances from 1990 onwards. He often featured Rosie Gaines in duet on live renditions, adding a new dimension to the song. A live version from a 1992 Paisley Park Studios performance with Rosie Gaines was included on his 1993 compilation album “The Hits 1,” further cementing the song’s significance in his repertoire. Prince continued to revisit the song throughout his career, including another live version on his 2002 live album “One Nite Alone… Live!”.
Intriguingly, jazz legend Miles Davis expressed interest in recording an instrumental version of “Nothing Compares 2 U.” However, Prince, while flattered, reportedly felt it would be “corny” to simply overlay a trumpet solo on the existing song. This anecdote highlights Prince’s protective nature towards his songwriting and his evolving vision for “Nothing Compares 2 U.”
The inspiration behind “Nothing Compares 2 U” is said to stem from Sandy Scipioni, Prince’s personal assistant during the 1980s. Scipioni’s sudden departure following her father’s death reportedly triggered the sentiments of loss and longing that permeate the song. Despite the emotional depth of the lyrics, Prince and Scipioni’s relationship was not romantic, underscoring the song’s universal theme of missing someone significant in one’s life.
In 2018, a previously unreleased mix of Prince’s original 1984 recording of “Nothing Compares 2 U” was officially released posthumously. This version offered fans a chance to hear Prince’s initial vision for the song, with subtle differences from both The Family’s release and Sinead O’Connor’s iconic cover. The 2018 mix, crafted by Tony Maserati, aimed to mirror Prince’s original intent while making Clare Fischer’s orchestral overdubs more subtly present. This version also included Susannah Melvoin’s backing vocals, adding another layer to the original recording.
From its inception as a track for The Family to its global explosion through Sinead O’Connor and its continued presence in Prince’s live performances and posthumous releases, “Nothing Compares 2 U” has had a remarkable journey. It stands as a testament to Prince’s songwriting genius, capable of crafting songs that resonate across artists and generations, each interpretation adding a unique layer to its enduring emotional power. The song’s story underscores the fascinating evolution of a Prince composition from its initial, lesser-known release with The Family to becoming a timeless classic embraced worldwide.
