Sinéad O’Connor‘s rendition of “Nothing Compares 2 U” has captured the hearts of millions, but the song’s journey has been marred by controversy.
In 2022, the Irish singer-songwriter released a documentary titled “Nothing Compares,” named after her hit song, but she faced a major setback when Prince’s estate refused to grant her the rights to use her version of the powerful ballad for the film.
As a result, the documentary featured the music video without sound, accompanied by commentary from the director and O’Connor, along with a disclaimer explaining the situation.
Prince’s Half-Sister Speaks Out
No one has ever made a song of Prince better.
Expect for Sinead O´Connor, with Nothing Compares 2U. https://t.co/a7Nx5N8fcW
— Jonas Creteur (@jonas_creteur) July 26, 2023
Sharon Nelson, Prince’s half-sister, shed light on the decision to withhold the song from O’Connor’s documentary. In a statement to Billboard, she emphasized the unparalleled greatness of Prince’s live version of the song with Rosie Gaines, featured on the Hits 1 album.
Nelson revealed that the estate was re-releasing the album on vinyl and felt that O’Connor did not deserve to use the song in her documentary. According to Nelson, “His version is the best.”
Kathryn Ferguson, the director of “Nothing Compares,” acknowledged that while the refusal by Prince’s estate was their prerogative, it compelled the team to find a creative solution.
Despite the setback, they crafted a section of the film that focused on Sinéad’s words and her own songwriting. The documentary managed to maintain its essence even without the iconic song.
Interestingly, Sinéad O’Connor and Prince never met before she released her rendition of “Nothing Compares 2 U” in 1990. In her memoir, Rememberings, O’Connor recounted a peculiar evening spent with Prince, describing how he attempted to engage in a “pillow fight” with pillows filled with objects intended to cause pain.
O’Connor admitted that the encounter left her with a negative impression of the artist, saying,
“Obviously, I came away not liking him very much and not particularly wanting to go around to see him again. But having said that, though, I won’t lie. I didn’t like the man.”
Despite her conflicted feelings about Prince, O’Connor expressed deep sorrow over his death due to a fentanyl overdose in 2016. She shared her belief that the burden of fame and success often leads to a profound sense of loneliness, which she thought might have been a contributing factor to his untimely demise.
The Legacy of “Nothing Compares 2 U”
“Nothing Compares 2 U” marked O’Connor’s breakthrough in 1990, becoming a global sensation. Although the song received four Grammy nominations in 1991, O’Connor boycotted the ceremony, criticizing the Academy for focusing mainly on the commercial aspects of art.
Two years after her massive hit, O’Connor made headlines again with an unforgettable appearance on Saturday Night Live. Following her performance of Bob Marley’s “War,” she ripped up a photo of Pope John Paul II and urged the audience to “Fight the real enemy.” The incident generated significant controversy, but O’Connor later stated that she had no regrets about her actions.
In 2021, O’Connor announced her retirement from music and touring, citing weariness and age. However, she quickly reconsidered, expressing her love for making music and her determination to overcome the prejudice she faced as a talented and outspoken woman in the industry. Recently, she teased fans with news of new music in the works and plans for an international tour.
As we bid farewell to the talented artist, Sinéad O’Connor’s tumultuous journey with “Nothing Compares 2 U” remains a testament to the passion and controversy that can surround even the most beloved songs in the music industry. Her legacy as an icon will continue to resonate with fans worldwide.
