Sinéad O'Connor took Prince’s song... and simply TRANSFORMED it.
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- čas přidán 2. 07. 2024
- Tonight we're taking a look at Sinéad O'Connor's version of 'Nothing Compares 2 U'.
Original Video - • Sinéad O'Connor - Noth...
Prince's Original - • Prince - Nothing Compa...
TIME STAMPS -
0:00 Intro
1:58 Song Start
3:27 Analysis
7:47 Double Tracked Vocal
8:57 Singing Sharp
9:52 Transformation From Original
15:04 Melody Changes
16:27 The Technical Bit!
17:12 Isolated Vocal
22:17 Hidden Details
24:07 Vocal Dynamics - Zábava
those imperfections are translated in our brains into emotions. I hope someone in the music industry will finally realize it and stop killing music.
She WAS a technical singer. It is just that her technique blends from different traditions. Every sound she made was intentional. And she kept her voice intact all her life.
When I first saw Sinead I thought she was not only beautiful, but how beautifully she sang "Nothing Compares 2 U." Her singing sounds like she's on the verge of crying, or even wailing-the emotion is so strong. I thoroughly respect Sinead for turning the hurt and pain, from her childhood, into empathy and caring for others. I appreciate your excellent in depth analysis of both versions of this song. And thank you Fil, for this lovely tribute to Sinead. She was one in a million, and I will miss her.
Her live version of this song from a concert in Santiago, Chile is one of the most devastating live performances I've seen. Her commitment is so consuming. And I so agree with Morrissey's rant. Nobody would help this woman when she needed support. But they sure can put the spotlight on themselves when they do "tributes". Her bringing the evils of the Catholic Church to light well before society decided to put a spotlight on it was one of the bravest things to do also. She is the face of the definition of "artist".
Yes, why I have loved Morrissey forever. He understands only too well. And, he has never backed down. May Miss O'Connor now find the peace that seemingly eluded her in life. So very sad. 🙏
then went to Islam and how women are seen... she was unwell and/or confused..... and a one hit wonder..
Casaraku1 hardly a one hit wonder … sod off, troll.
That performance is amazing ❤️❤️
@casaraku1 a one hit wonder? She didn't care for hits, she kept recording amazing music, you must have missed it
As an English major, I still thrill to the lyric: “I can see whomever I choose” for using object case “whom” correctly. LOL
I know! 😂 Only Prince could be such a stickler for grammar. Have you heard his song ‘Don’t Play Me’ where he says “I use proper English”
Me too...but hear any of her lyrics...grammatically..syntactically etc correct
Sinead was a beautiful woman, and had a beautiful voice! She did an amazing job on this song! This was a beautiful analysis and tribute of Sinead. Thank you, Fil!
And she surrounded herself with awful people. Over and over again. Was it all her fault? Of course not, but misery seeks company.
As a Prince fan this song always makes me smile as I don’t think Prince would have ever thought it would be such a hit. If it hadn’t been for Sinead’s version no one other that hardcore Prince fans would have ever heard this amazing song. It would have stayed gathering dust on the floor of the vault in Paisley Park. I think Prince was just absolutely shocked that it became a mega hit the world over. Was he jealous? Yes. But more shocked I think. He was shocked he hadn’t recognised what an amazing song it was. Hence that’s why he started to incorporate it into his set list. He obviously couldn’t compete with Sinead’s version so he does a jazz version instead. He wanted people to know he wrote that song! 😅
It’s one thing that makes me really smile about Prince. In a way she brought Prince to the world and overnight he was suddenly more respected for his song writing skills. She gave him a different kind of kudos that he didn’t have previously. I don’t think anyone was more shocked than Prince himself.
Yes, I think he was jealous but I think he was truly jealous that he had not seen the potential in his own song. It would be interesting to know how he had rated it previously. It’s one of the most beautiful and poignant songs he ever wrote. Possibly the best. It sounds like he’s not even trying. Yet he has so many Prince-isms in it. The first line is amazing. Possibly the best first line of a song ever. “It’s been 7 hours & 15 days / since you took your love away”. Who would ever write that apart from Prince? So simple, yet so clever. He makes you listen twice. He’s said something that people have said a million times eg “My wife has left me / I’m feeling blue”. But he says it in such a different way that you are captivated. That is the essence of him being the amazing song writer that he is. There are millions of songs about lost love, but why does this song stand out so much? And the fact Prince hadn’t recognised this made me smile even more 😊.
RIP Sinead & Prince.
Hearing this song as a kid....it made me feel sad and i never understood why. Thats the power of Sinead's vocals in this version -- they express emotion in a way, only perfectly captured humanity can. Thats what makes the best art transcendent. I cannot help but innately feel something, listening to this... Ill always love it for that.
A great choice to spotlight this amazing performance. Rest in Peace Sinead O'Conner
She was so beautiful. The music industry did not treat her well. Shame on them. Her singing voice was so heartfelt. Thank you, Fil for featuring her.
When I first heard this track back in the day, I thought Sinead's vocals were beautiful - while the song made me so incredibly sad.
Listening to her voice without instrumentals is making me tear up - and bringing me chills.
Her lovely voice went forever quiet way too soon...💜
THANK You for what You do, Fil.💕
I was fortunate enough to see Sinead at Lollapalooza '95, in Vancouver. She was nervous, not having performed since her blacklisting, but, we loved her.❤
Listening to Alisis Morriset trying to pay tribute to Sinead and not been able hit the notes really hit home to me what a great singer she was. RIP Sinead and Dolorus O Riordan.
@@personY-wg7dyIf you want to see a recent epic performance of Nothing C to Y see the " Late Late Show" in Ireland. The one where Sinead is wearing the red dress with head scarf. She belts it out with a sence of rawness.
Sinead's brokenness is what made her such a stand out... her eyes, her face, her voice, her emotions, her talent, her intelligence... all joined together to make her exceptional... God bless Sinead always and amen.
I think you're right that her voice was perfect for this song, and the chord changes made a huge difference in conveying emotion. Great job, Fil.
Another beautiful voice that never needed music to hide anything.✅
Brilliant comment 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Damn, Fil, it was even more heartbreaking, hearing the song this way. I think this poor girl was damned from the day of her birth. Every note, every undertone and overtone, you can hear, this song was her real experience.
Sinead doesn't take vocal lessons, she gives them.
Yes. Exactly.
@@abcxyz2927 You can still give something after you are dead.
@@abcxyz2927 Or you can give lessons in singing to others if you leave behind a benchmark for others to aspire to and aim for.
@@abcxyz2927 Her voice sounds decent enough here.
@@abcxyz2927 So her voice at 24 was that very benchmark I was talking about when giving others something to aspire to, even post her death.
I had the good fortune to see Sinéad live once in the 90’s, when she was Peter Gabriel’s backup singer on his tour for the “Us” album. She was great (and so was Peter, by the way). Sinéad O’Connor was an amazing singer. What a voice she had. I’m so sorry that she had so many troubles in her life, but she’s freed from all of that now, and she will definitely live on through her recorded work. Rest now Sinead, and thank you for the music. And thank you Fil for the great tribute.
Prince was a master musician, writer, and Sinead did him proud. Perfect lyrics. She is singing the theme song for Outlander this year. I did not know she passed away. She was a treasure. May she finally be able to find restful peace. 😢❤
I didn't know that about her singing the Outlander theme music. I live near where they are filming the new series. 🏴
@@phoenixrising5088 I am totally jealous!
Thank you, Fil!
No wonder Prince was angry at her for releasing this version :)
When I was watching this video for the first time when it was shown on MTV, I couldn`t believe how beautiful this girl was, and I still can`t.
R.I.P., darling Sinead!
Hi Fil,
A very thought provoking and endearing look at Sinead O’Connor. This song really catapulted her into a level all her own. Vocally no where to hide on this song, and her ethereal yet mournful expression take this piece to a whole new musical realm. Very different in it’s time and I believe that holds true to even today. Stylistically dynamic and emotionally breathtaking. Great job on this analysis and tribute to Sinead… May She RIP….Debbie☮️😍
Sinead's version expresses so clearly the sense of loss "since you took your love away."
This song still gives me chills it's so beautiful. Like you said, her vulnerability. breathtaking.
@@abcxyz2927you are a darn fool if you think that, just look at her other performances on you tube and tell me honestly if you believe she was underrated!
@@abcxyz2927That's downright cruel to say about her especially so close to her passing. Please show some respect.
BTW she was right about her Pope protest on SNL. Everyone hated her and eventually the ugly truth about catholic priests was revealed
@@abcxyz2927QUEEN 👑!! Going strong after 53yrs and selling out concerts. Amazing.
@@abcxyz2927 You make a valid point.
Totally Incorrect view of the music industry. With a voice like Sinead had and her early rise onto the music scene, there would have been dozens of offers from music producers who would have worked on and Co written new material with her. Following her snl protest, the doors were closed on her quickly. Of course it would have been an easier path to smile on snl and cash in on a further two or three albums but Sinead wasn't prepared to do that period.
As for her music, she has many excellent songs just as good as this and in fact I would go on to say Mandinka is a better song.
Well this song put her in the stratosphere
Rightly so!
Beautiful artist and poet that will never be forgotten. Still reeling from her sad tragic passing. Thank you for honouring Sinead's memory so respectfully and in such a lovely way. May her gentle soul rest in peace.
Thanks too for not sentimentalizing her death, but treating her as an artist, in the same objective (but appreciative) manner that you do all the other artists you analyze for us.
It really was a sentimental ordinary song, and you're right, she completely transformed it with her high, pure voice.
If the soul and the heart can be contained in a voice here it is, absolutely superlative , gone but never forgotten 😢These videos are fascinating, thankyou for your passion and love of music and this tribute to an amazing artist.
She was a true vocal artist & an empathic person. She had an exceptional voice & she knew how to use it to make her audience feel the words. RIP Sinéad O'Connor.🖤🤘
Blackbird, fly, into the light of the dark black night.
This song is one of the greatest of all time. Mesmerizing... Crushing... Beautiful.
Her version is so much more compelling. It just hits you right in the knees. That kind of melancholy, lump in your throat nostalgic sound.
Thank you so much for this look at Sinéad's amazing version of this song.
I remember the first time I saw this video. It was very impactful to me. This beautiful young woman selling this song of heartbreak as if it were her own story. The fact that it's a cover, and not her story at all, makes it even more impressive that we can hear and see the pain in her voice and on her face.
She was certainly candid and forthright during her life, and spoke with candour about things that people weren't prepared to hear at the time. Despite being villified for what she said, she always spoke her truth, and never backed down from it. And, as it transpired, she had been right all along.
It's so sad that she represented strength, courage, and fearlessness to so many women, and gave them the fortitude to speak and live their truth (including someone incredibly important to me), but she never seemed to be able to find her peace. I hope she's found it now. ❤
Terri in interviews she’s said she thought of her mother while singing a d filming the video so she interpreted the piece as her own story. Loved your comment btw :)
@@steelethescene That adds another layer to the song that I never knew about. Being able to take a song not written for her, and find a way to connect it to her own life, so that she could sing it with such powerful emotion, is a skill that not all singers have. I've heard so many technically proficient covers that left me feeling nothing, because the singer was more concerned with sounding good than sounding authentic, and, as a result, conveyed none of the emotion of the song.
You brought out well what makes a soulful lament…she nailed it!
It sounds like she's out of control while being fully in control. Such an amazing voice.
The Ayrton Senna of vocal
She did Princes song justice.
She's got a beautiful angelic voice.
I was blown away when i listened to her singing, Don't Cry for me Argentina.
R.I.P Sinead...
I have that album! She covers Don't Cry for Me Argentina and her other favorite standards. The entire record is ace.
In memory of seeing a MTV interview. The reason for the closeup I do believe that the video is a recording of the song. She did this studio wise and it's a pre-release of the song to. Meaning it's not even lip-sync. The closeup is actually hiding the mic that we don't even know is there. Now I'm not sure if the vid was out with the song? Though I think this is the first time that a recording live was ever done as a professional video. It's indeed incredible!
Beautiful version of Prince’s song by Sinead. Thanks for great analysis Fil. RIP Sinead 🌻
Absolutely stunning analysis of Sinéad's voice and the subtle changes that were made to the original song
I still cry when listening to her vocal take on this song, which still sounds gorgeously strong, yet tender and heartbreaking. She was one of a kind! Too bad Sinead and a young Bono never sang a duet together. They both sound like they are singing hymns in church - 100% strength and emotional conviction. God bless dear Sinead!
Thank you for your analysis of Sinead O'Connor. Always fair & honest. Your the best! May Sinead's spirit now Rest in Peace. 🕊️ 🙏 💔
Very nice tribute analysis Fil on Sinéad O'Connor. Rest in Peace Sinéad O'Connor 8 December 1966 - 26 July 2023 thanks for the music
Incredible analysis. It shows Sinead’s own emotion into Prince’s song. Thank you for an amazing analysis, Fil. I love what you do!
Sinead O'Connor was such a natural, brilliant vocalist and also an underrated songwriter (would love to see you check out her song 'Troy', Fil). I think that the underlying power of her singing was her suffering. One must have some deeply-rooted pain to deliver this song the way she did. Rest easy, Sinead - the void you left with your passing can never be filled.
Well said, she did suffer a great deal due a terrible abusive childhood. This pain resonates through her singing. Such a beautiful artist, i just love her. ❤❤
@@abcxyz2927 She wrote quite a lot of songs, but most of them were highly political, which is probably why you haven't heard them.
As a friend told me about this song, which I agree with: "One of the world's best songs in my lifetime...so sad and beautiful. But Sinned is and was a great inspiration to always dare to stand up for things like justice and human rights....feels a little empty now in the world, but we who are left must continue in the same spirit - in love and for justice in small and big ways 😪💕🌹"
Heartbreaking. This song and her life. What an artist. Look at that young, beautiful girl.
Not usually my cup of tea but how can you not love this song. Sung with passion and emotion which is hauntingly beautiful.
Awesome vid Fil,
RIP Sinead
Edit, not commented in a while but you better believe I watch all your vids and smash the 👍
Sharping notes, breath, half steps, nailing pitch ... all good stuff! Thank you FIL. we need you to deliver excellence so we can understand....FIL you are excellent !!!
Thanks!
Incredibly moving and beautiful. Thank you Fil for this wonderful analysis. Rest in Peace Sinead O'Connor.
Prince's version is beautiful but I relate better to a feminine voice so this is my favorite version. Thank you for this!
She was so emotionally honest, this, emotional honesty is so central to the most gifted singers
Great that Fil took the time to take a deeper insight into Sinead’s vocals and make it a “what a makes this song great” video. To me there are parts of her vocal performance that remind me of some of the great female country singers. As well there are parts that also remind me a bit of the 60s girl vocal groups.
Patsy Cline comes to mind, the "cry" in her voice.
Haunting and moving vocals from a very talented singer. Great analysis as usual Fil. Many thanks
I remember seeing this on MTV for the first time and crying with her. For me, a dude, that takes a powerful performance.
As a long-time musician, I can appreciate the purity of her singing in this particular song.
Bless her family.
Rest well, Sinead.
Thank you Fil for this tribute to Sinead O'Connor. I feel both interpretations of the song are great in their own way. May Sinead O'Connor rest in peace.
This is excellent. You are so good at this. I have been intrigued with Sinead since her death and have listened to a lot. I listened to a video of her singing "Danny Boy" - I am of Irish heritage so this song is like an anthem - and I have never ever ever heard it sung like this. And it altered my understanding of the song. Amazing woman. Her pain is so clear.
Most recently Sinead recorded the theme song for Outlander season 7 and her voice reflects so much of the pain and sorrow she has experienced in her life since this performance. Her rendition of the Skye Boat Song is beyond beautiful! Would love to hear your reaction to this performance that is, I would imagine, is her last recording. Thank you! Judith Gehrig
Excellent analysis Fil and very respectful.
RIP Sinead.
Thank you for another enlightening video, Fil. Rest in Peace to the one and only Sinéad O'Connor. 💔
Revealing and complete analysis of vocal expression, effects and variations used in this cover by S O'Connor.
Your guitar demo and the isolated vocals were quite effective tools.
I realized very quickly that it was a Prince song. I love this cover.
He wrote it but she recorded it first.
Fil, this is an amazing analysis of Sinead's singing. I wonder though, if her beautiful Irish accent had something to do with her ability to inject such heartbreaking emotion in her singing.
No words, just tears. Thank you Fil.
She interpreted the lyrics correctly.
✨Sinéad O'Connor✨
Rest in Sweet Peace
🖤
Thank you, Fil.
Fil, you are the John Wick of the singing scale - tearing it down for us and killing it! 👌
Fascinating and informative! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I appreciate Sinead's performance even more. May she RIP.
Such talent - to take a Prince song and better the original was incredible and the video was absolutely perfect for the performance … R.I.P.
This was massive - I mean massive - when it was released. One of the biggest hits of the 90s
It was the biggest song world wide in 1990.
@@christinec7892 by a wide margin!
Exquisite emotion in her voice. Exquisite expression. Exquisite precision. A special voice and performance.
Thanks so much for helping me understand the differences between the 2 versions. I know Prince is a genius, but Sinead's version (and whoever helped produce) really takes the song to the place it was meant to go. Thanks again.
This version is a challenge to sing as she performed it, especially capturing the emotional element. Thank you once again for your marvelous analysis, Fil. Another fine example of sublime artistry.
I love this song, she had a wounderful voice.
as a young person, I was so moved. It's still one of my favorite songs for the beauty...now I get WHY it moves me so so so much. She's singing emotion....
Loved this, thanks. May she RIP 🕊🎵🙏
The song that was played during every slow song moment at my middle school Disco's, such beautiful piece.
I appreciate this fine and thoughtful explanation of Sinead’s performance of this song. It adds value to the gift she has left with us.
Good afternoon Fil! This was a great analysis indeed! Thank you so much for always providing such great insight and understanding of everybody you analyze...I really appreciate the incredible time and effort into sharing so graciously with everybody! Best wishes for a great day!
Thanks for the kind words!
@@wingsofpegasus No problem! Oh...I'm not sure if you need me to send you the video of Il Divo performing Nights in White Satin again. And YES, I PROMISE I won't request that you analyze them again!!! 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂
Thank you. With all due respect to the comment below, your analysis of Sinead's voice on this track is fascinating. The emotion made us all shed a tear. That little angsty, rebllious sharp in her voice will make her live on. A true artist. RIP Sinead O'Connor
Thank you thank thank you for this Fil! ☘️🇮🇪💚. I never noticed that double tracking before. Not just a line of the chorus, but most of the song. Amazing.
Also it helps to appreciate the depth of emotion expressed when you know, as Sinead herself said on more than one occasion, that when she sang this song she usually was singing it to her mother, who was killed in a car wreck when Sinead was 18. A mother that was both her only parental figure and someone from who she suffered years and years of terrible abuse. So mourning, relief, and forgiveness all at once.
Sinnead was musically grown in churches and that influnce is allover the place its like a priest hymn and is so amazing. I adore the sound and rythm and the feeling of clearence. it reminds me Purple rain katharsis (meaning clean up) lyrics. Its amazing only prince could do it and i bet he knew her and he never did wrong choosing her... Prince always knew the persons / artists before he sent his artistic aid if it was lyrics or melody. its true that he was not content with his output and gave it to Sinnead. I tell you this: How in sign o the times he chose Sheila E or Sheena Easton for his band or vocal support. When Prince met Sheila E...he told her...i know you when she introduced her to him...of course Sheila was legendary on timbales doughter of Pete Escovedo and baptised by Tito Puente the El Ray of Mambo !!! Prince adored Santana....too and he memorised his staff at an early age (its Jimmy jam that says so).... So i bet that he knew her story and vocal abilities. He made her stellar with the song. Do you know the story of the song Stand Back of Steive Nicks and Prince....?Its so deep sorry dudes but Prince is a whole musical world and not accepting it its just ...not good
She was not only beautiful to look at (her eyes alone--wow!) but was a great talent and spoke out on uncomfortable truths that people wanted to keep quiet. Her loss is tragic, but I hope wherever she is that she's at peace. Thank you for this beautiful tribute.❤
Sínéad often leans towards the ancient Irish art of 'Sean-nós singing' which is unaccompanied traditional Irish vocal music.
To truly understand Sínéad vocally it would be advantageous to study this genre.
Thank you so much for this breakdown, Major and Minor., Manic, Depression rest in peace beautiful lady...
As talented as Prince was, this song to me is one of the few times when you can say that one singer took another singer's song and made it their own and it is an authentic and valid comment, rather than some meaningless cliché trotted out by an X-Factor judge when they cannot think of anything else to say.
Probably the most powerful performance I ever saw in the heyday of MTV. Full stop.
This style of singing very common with the Celtic women must be an Irish style because you can check and hear it in many many voices
Great vid. Poor Sinead - we loved her so much!
Thank You Fil. This was a tough one to watch - I had to wait a week to look at it. This loss was especially heartbreaking because we knew she was suffering. Thank you for celebrating her gift. 😘
It's against my religion to ever say anything bad about Prince but she owned this song! The original sounds a bit pimpy where as hers is her broken heart in your ears❤❤
I really appreciate the detailed, in-depth analysis you give on your videos...even if I do struggle to understand all the technicalities, being only Grade 2 music theory 🙄...and thank you for explaining why it is that I love that particular note so much....on the 'you'.
The somber and respectful absence of "Rock"🤘 at the end of the video and the photo of Sinéad O'Connor was quite sobering and made the reality of her passing more palpable. I can't say that I'm surprised she died young-ish, yet the news was still shocking and terribly sad.
And she was beautiful to boot
I love her 'phrasings' and she sings beautifully ❤ 😊 absolutely. Thanks much to @ Wings of Pegasus for sharing. RIP to Sinéad.
That was fantastic. I see your videos often. You are so good at explaining and sharing this stuff....love the passion you have for this music.
It was a tragic loss. She had such a special voice.
Thank you Fil for this great & kind analysis.
May She Have Peace Now.
😔🙏🤍🪽
Prince does a live version of this song from Paisley Park that's absolutely tremendous.
Hi Phil, another great analysis that finally works out on a technical level what is so outstanding about Sinéad's cover version. Improving a Prince song takes extraordinary skill. RIP Sinéad O'Connor 😢
Not only is it an amazing vocal, but according to producer Chris Birkett, it was recorded in one take: "She came into the studio, did it in one take, double-tracked it straight away and it was perfect because she was totally into the song. It mirrored her situation.”
Really interesting analysis and comparison to the original. I was going through a very tough break up shortly after this song came out, and I cried with Sinead many, many times. To me, nothing compares to this song in capturing the pain, vulnerability and desperation of dealing with a loss like this. Thank you for pointing out how she achieved that Fil.
Same
The brilliant quality of a real singer and a standing proof how amazing it is when the gift of a true singer just blossoms rather than being killed by autotune where anyone can suddenly sound like a robotic singing superstar without any personality or emotion.