Sinéad O’Connor, the fiercely independent and profoundly talented Irish singer-songwriter, left an indelible mark on the music world. Among her vast catalog, one song stands out, a track so powerfully delivered that many instantly associate it with her name, even though it wasn’t originally hers. That song is “Nothing Compares 2 U.” But the question remains for many discovering this timeless ballad: who sings “Nothing Compares To You” and what makes Sinéad O’Connor’s version so utterly unforgettable?
This is the story of how Sinéad O’Connor took a song penned by Prince, transformed it, and in the process, made it definitively her own. It’s a tale of musical alchemy, raw emotion, and the audacious spirit of an artist who dared to claim a song and imbue it with her personal truth. While Prince wrote countless songs, gifting many to other artists, “Nothing Compares 2 U” became a unique case – a song arguably elevated to its most potent form by another artist’s interpretation.
Sinéad O’Connor, the Irish singer-songwriter, captivating audiences with her powerful performance of “Nothing Compares 2 U.”
From Prince’s Vault to Sinéad’s Soul: The Genesis of a Classic
To fully understand the impact of Sinéad O’Connor’s rendition, it’s essential to acknowledge the song’s origins. “Nothing Compares 2 U” was indeed written by the legendary Prince. Known for his prolific songwriting and genre-bending musical genius, Prince often penned songs for his various side projects and other artists. In 1985, he gifted “Nothing Compares 2 U” to The Family, a Paisley Park Records side project. The original version, sung by Paul Peterson (known as St. Paul), is a soulful and compelling rendition in its own right, showcasing Prince’s signature melodic and lyrical style. However, at the time of its release, it didn’t achieve mainstream success and remained largely within the realm of Prince’s dedicated fanbase.
Fast forward to 1990. Sinéad O’Connor, on her second album, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got, decided to record “Nothing Compares 2 U.” This wasn’t merely a cover; it was a complete reimagining. She stripped away some of the 80s synth-pop elements of the original and infused it with a raw, heart-wrenching vulnerability that resonated deeply with listeners worldwide. This transformation is what truly cemented the song’s iconic status and inextricably linked it to Sinéad O’Connor’s artistry.
Sinéad O’Connor’s Transformation: Embodying Heartbreak and Audacity
What Sinéad O’Connor did with “Nothing Compares 2 U” was nothing short of a musical “hostile takeover,” as some have described it. She didn’t just sing the song; she inhabited it, becoming the embodiment of its profound sense of loss and longing. Her performance wasn’t just technically brilliant; it was emotionally seismic. She took Prince’s lyrics and channeled them through the prism of her own experiences, imbuing them with a rawness and authenticity that felt utterly visceral.
This audacious act of claiming a Prince song and making it unequivocally her own required immense courage and artistry. It was akin to “stealing the Declaration of Independence,” a bold and almost unthinkable feat. But Sinéad possessed that rare combination of vocal power, emotional depth, and fearless self-expression that allowed her to not just cover a song, but to redefine it.
Her vocal delivery is characterized by both fragility and ferocity. You can hear the pain, the vulnerability, but also an underlying strength and resilience. This duality is perhaps rooted in her personal history, marked by a difficult childhood and complex family dynamics. While she rarely offered explicit details, the emotional landscape of her life undoubtedly informed the profound emotionality she brought to her music.
A poignant close-up of Sinéad O’Connor from the “Nothing Compares 2 U” music video, capturing the raw emotion and intensity of her performance.
The Music Video: Simplicity Amplifying Emotion
Adding to the song’s impact was its groundbreaking music video. In an era of MTV often dominated by flashy visuals and hyperactive editing, the video for “Nothing Compares 2 U” was strikingly minimalist and intensely personal. Directed by John Maybury, the video is largely composed of a single close-up of Sinéad O’Connor’s face. Against a stark black background, her shaved head becomes a focal point, emphasizing her expressive eyes and the raw emotion etched on her face.
The video’s simplicity was revolutionary. It stripped away all artifice and focused solely on Sinéad’s performance and the song’s emotional core. The moment when tears well up in her eyes is particularly iconic and undeniably genuine. This wasn’t acting; it was a raw outpouring of emotion that resonated deeply with viewers. The video’s starkness amplified the song’s gravity and severity, making it an anomaly in the landscape of 90s MTV and solidifying its lasting impact.
Deeper Meaning: A Mother’s Love and Loss
While Prince has stated that the song was inspired by his parents’ divorce, Sinéad O’Connor brought a different layer of meaning to “Nothing Compares 2 U.” For many listeners, and arguably for Sinéad herself, the song became deeply connected to her relationship with her mother, who passed away when Sinéad was 18.
The raw grief and sense of irreplaceable loss in Sinéad’s voice suggest a personal narrative of bereavement. The lyrics about enduring hardship in a relationship but being willing to “give it another try” take on a poignant new dimension when interpreted through the lens of a mother-daughter bond severed by death. It transforms the song from a romantic breakup ballad into a universal lament for lost connection and the unique void left by a loved one’s absence.
This personal interpretation resonated with millions. It tapped into a collective human experience of loss and longing, making the song deeply relatable and emotionally cathartic for listeners across the globe. Sinéad’s ability to channel her personal pain into a universal expression of grief is a testament to her artistry and the song’s enduring power.
Controversies and Lasting Legacy
Sinéad O’Connor was never one to shy away from controversy. Her outspoken nature and willingness to challenge societal norms sometimes overshadowed her musical achievements in the mainstream media. However, this very fearlessness was also integral to her artistic identity and the raw honesty that permeated her music.
Despite the controversies, “Nothing Compares 2 U” remains her signature song and a defining anthem of the 1990s. It topped charts worldwide, garnered numerous awards, and cemented her place in music history. Even decades later, the song retains its emotional potency and continues to be discovered and cherished by new generations.
While Prince eventually released his own studio recording of “Nothing Compares 2 U” posthumously in 2018, it only served to further highlight the unique magic of Sinéad O’Connor’s version. Prince’s original is undoubtedly beautiful, showcasing his songwriting brilliance, but it lacks the visceral emotional depth and transformative power that Sinéad brought to the song.
Why Sinéad’s Version Resonates: Seeing and Feeling Deeper
Sinéad O’Connor possessed a rare gift – the ability to see and feel deeper into the heart of a song, to extract its rawest emotions, and to communicate them with unparalleled intensity. She described having a unique ability to visualize the inner lives of people she met, picturing their homes and private spaces. Her rendition of “Nothing Compares 2 U” feels like an extension of this ability, as if she peered into the very soul of Prince’s song and unlocked emotional depths that even its creator may not have fully realized.
Her genius lies in her interpretation. She didn’t just sing the notes; she embodied the emotion. She found nuances in the lyrics, particularly in the simple word “try,” and imbued them with layers of meaning and heartache. In doing so, she didn’t just cover “Nothing Compares 2 U”; she claimed it, redefined it, and gifted the world with a version that continues to resonate with its raw beauty and profound emotional truth.
So, who sings “Nothing Compares To You” in its most iconic and heart-stopping form? The answer is unequivocally Sinéad O’Connor. While the song originated from the pen of Prince, it was Sinéad’s voice, her vulnerability, and her fearless artistry that transformed it into a timeless masterpiece, a song that will forever be associated with her name and her unforgettable talent.
