This month in 1990, Irish icon, Sinéad O'Connor started a four-week run at number one on the US singles chart with the Prince-penned hit, Noting Compares 2 U. We’re marking the milestone with a look back to O’Connor’s show-stopping, stadium performance of the track, at the peak of its fame, live in Europe in 1990. 

Prince original wrote the global smash, Nothing Compares 2 U in 1984 for The Family, a funk band signed to his own personal label. The song’s first offering failed to garner much attention and, without being considered a single, was more or less buried among the other album tracks. The song’s lyrics, overall sentiment, or perhaps a combination of both, spoke to upcoming Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor, whose cover version of the song, drenched and turmoil and pain, may have come from a passionately personal perspective, but cut straight to the hearts of listeners universally, creating a timeless hit that doubles a snapshot of pure human emotion.

Sinéad might not shed a tear during this truly heartrending performance – but we challenge you not to! Watch below. 

Sinéad O'Connor | ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ [Live In Europe, 1990]

O’Connor’s 1987 debut album, The Lion and The Cobra provided her with a small taste of fame, but with the release of her 1990 Nothing Compares 2 U cover, the Irish singer suddenly became one of the most recognisable figures on the planet, almost overnight. Prince himself praised O’Connor’s version of the song, saying, “I love it, it’s great! I look for cosmic meaning in everything. I think we just took that song as far as we could, then someone else was supposed to come along and pick it up.” 

While we’re here, let’s remember O’Connor’s captivating original music video for the song, arguably unmatched to this day in emotive power. 

Sinead O'Connor | ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ [Official Music Video]

Let’s also remember Prince’s own show-stopping performance of the track, live at Paisley Park in 1999. His own delivery offers a less harrowing interpretation of the song's lyrics, bringing a more celebratory, romantic perspective, equally as powerful in its own way. 

In Prince’s own words, “watch this”. 

Prince | ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ [Live At Paisley Park, 1999]

READ MORE: 13 SONGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW WERE WRITTEN BY PRINCE

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