About Sinead O’Connor
Sinead O’Connor, the acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter, stands as a true icon in the music industry, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of millions worldwide. Born in 1966 in Dublin, O’Connor rose to fame in the late 1980s with her ethereal voice and emotionally charged performances. Her debut album “The Lion and the Cobra” (1987) garnered critical acclaim, showcasing her exceptional vocal range and poignant songwriting skills. However, it was her cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” in 1990 that catapulted her to international stardom, becoming an anthem for a generation and cementing her status as one of the most influential vocalists of her time.
Beyond her musical prowess, Sinead O’Connor’s fearless advocacy for social and political causes further solidified her position as a cultural icon. Her public expressions of dissent and passion for justice, including her daring act of tearing up a photograph of Pope John Paul II on live television to protest child abuse in the Catholic Church, highlighted her unwavering commitment to fighting for what she believed in. Throughout her career, she fearlessly confronted issues of mental health, women’s rights, and religious oppression, earning both praise and controversy for her candid approach. Sinead O’Connor’s enduring legacy lies not only in her hauntingly beautiful music but also in her unapologetic pursuit of truth, authenticity, and a better world for all.
“Nothing Compares 2 U” (Advanced Piano Solo)
For this arrangement I raised the vocal line up an octave to heighten the drama and utilize a larger range on the piano. I tried to get as close as possible to all of Sinead’s vocal inflections on the melody while still keeping the rhythms readable and realistic. This is a full version with all sections included.
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“Nothing Compares 2 U” (Intermediate Piano Solo)
This intermediate arrangement is a bit more mellow and keeps the melody in the recorded vocal range. As a result it’s a little more “growly” and muted. This is also full version of the song with all sections included.
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About “Nothing Compares 2 U”
Sinead O’Connor’s power ballad rendition of “Nothing Compares 2 U” became a massive worldwide hit, reaching the top of the charts in numerous countries, including her native Ireland, Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., also topping the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and reaching number two on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The single’s impact extended beyond its initial release, as it ranked number three on the Hot 100 chart for the year 1990.
In the United Kingdom, “Nothing Compares 2 U” ranked as the second-best-selling single for the year, just behind the re-release of the Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody.” Following Sinead O’Connor’s death in July 2023, the song experienced a resurgence in popularity, re-entering the UK Top 100 at number 45 and reaching the number one position on the UK Singles Downloads Chart, showcasing the enduring impact and timeless appeal of her music.
This song has been on my “to-do” list for a long time now and I hope I’ve done it justice. I have such vivid memories of this period of my life and what an indelible mark this song left on the pop music world. It was one of the very first cassette singles that I ever purchased!
Rest in peace Sinead.
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