Since then, while maintaining her singing career, she has occasionally encountered controversy, partly due to her statements and gestures—such as her ordination as a priest despite being a woman with a Roman Catholic background—and her strongly expressed views on organised religion, women's rights, war, and child abuse.
In addition to her ten solo albums her work includes many singles, songs for films, collaborations with many other artists and appearances at charity fundraising concerts.
Since converting to Islam in 2018 she has changed her name to Shuhada Sadaqat.
In December 2019 she gave her first UK concert in five years at the Shepherd's Bush Empire, London.
On 26 July 2023, O'Connor's family issued a statement that she had died at the age of 56, without indicating the date or cause.
In the statement, the singer’s family said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
The acclaimed Dublin performer released 10 studio albums, while her song “Nothing Compares 2 U” was named the number one world single in 1990 by the Billboard Music Awards. Her version of the ballad, written by musician Prince, topped the charts around the globe and earned her three Grammy nominations.
Jump in the River
Sinéad O'Connor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always left me unsure
They'd never say things of their own accord
I am preoccupied
I can't get them out of my mind
They are terrified
And if you said jump in a river I would
You're not supposed to be here at all
It's all been a gorgeous mistake
Sick one or clean one
The best one
That God ever made
When I kissed you
You didn't mind
I thought I tasted of too many cigarettes
But you tasted like wine
And I'm not going to change my mind
Just because of what they said
The worm has laid eggs in their hearts
But not in my head
And if you said jump in a river I would
Because it would probably be a good idea
You're not supposed to be here at all now
It's all been a gorgeous mistake
Sick one or clean one
The best one
That God ever made
There's been days like this before, you know
And I liked it all
Like the times we did it so hard
There was blood on the wall
And if you said jump in a river I would
Because it would probably be a good idea
And if you said jump in a river I would
Because it would probably be a good idea
The lyrics to Sinéad O'Connor's song Jump in the River are personal and expresses conflicted feelings about relationships and self-doubt. The song appears to be about a strained romance that's underpinned by conflicting emotions. The first verse begins by referencing the unsettling feeling that resonates with the writer when she receives phone calls. The song suggests that, despite the phone calls, the singer could not shake or forget about her subject of interest, despite any reservations or fears that were present. The desire to be around the individual is so strong that it would probably be effortless for them to urge her to jump into a river and she would carry out the action.
The chorus of the song is the most significant part of the song, showing that there is a love that one can easily drown in, but doing so will be rewarding nonetheless. The singer embraces the idea of taking risks for the chance of love and continues to sing passionately about the person despite the opinions of others. There are references to a "sick one or clean one," "the best one that God ever made," and "blood on the wall," reminiscent of raw, animalistic love. All the while, the singer shows no care for the opinions of others and expresses her love freely, blinded by her sentiments.
Line by Line Meaning
The phone calls
Unsure of what someone meant when they called her
Always left me unsure
Feeling uncertain and anxious after receiving calls from someone
They'd never say things of their own accord
Unable to speak for themselves and express their true intentions
I am preoccupied
Unable to focus on anything else but those calls
I can't get them out of my mind
Being fixated on the person who called, and their hidden agenda
They are terrified
Being afraid of something or someone
And if you said jump in a river I would
Willing to do whatever the person she loves asks, no matter how extreme
Because it would probably be a good idea
Trusting that the person she loves has her best interests in mind
You're not supposed to be here at all
This relationship is unexpected and goes against societal norms
It's all been a gorgeous mistake
Despite it being unconventional, she feels an intense connection with this person
Sick one or clean one
Referring to the different aspects of this person, but accepting them all
The best one
Believing that this person is the best thing that has ever happened to her
That God ever made
Believing that this person is a precious and divine creation
When I kissed you
Reflecting on intimate moments shared with this person
You didn't mind
Feeling accepted and loved by this person, despite her flaws
I thought I tasted of too many cigarettes
Feeling insecure about her own imperfections
But you tasted like wine
Believing that this person is perfect despite their own imperfections
And I'm not going to change my mind
Staying true to her feelings and loyalty towards this person
Just because of what they said
Refusing to take heed of other people's opinions, trusting her own feelings
The worm has laid eggs in their hearts
Believing that those who criticize her relationship are corrupted and misguided by their own biases
But not in my head
Feeling confident that her own judgment is not affected by such negative opinions
There's been days like this before, you know
Reflecting on all the similar situations she's faced in the past
And I liked it all
Feeling a sense of nostalgia and fondness towards those memories
Like the times we did it so hard
Remembering a particularly intense and passionate moment with this person
There was blood on the wall
Describing the physical intensity and passion they shared
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Sinead O'Connor, Marco Pirroni
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@psyke670
JUMP TO THE RIVER
The phone calls
Always left me unsure
They'd never say things of their own accord
I am preoccupied
I can't get them out of my mind
They are terrified.
And if you said jump in the river I would
Because it would probably be a good idea
You're not supposed to be here at all
It's all been a gorgeous mistake
Sick one or clean one
The best one.That God ever made.
When I kissed you
You didn't mind
I thought I tasted of too many cigarettes
But you tasted like wine
And I'm not going to change my mind
Just because of what they said
The worm has laid eggs in their hearts
But not in my head.
And if you said jump in the river I would
Because it would probably be a good idea
You're not supposed to be here at all now
It's all been a gorgeous mistake
Sick one or clean one
The best one
That God ever made.
There's been days like this before you know
And I liked it all
Like the times we did it so hard
There was blood on the wall.
And if you said jump in the river I would
Because it would probably be a good idea
And if you said jump in the river I would
Because it would probably be a good idea.
@pmde1525
The phone calls
always left me unsure
They'd never say things of their own accord
I am preoccupied
I can't get them out of my mind they are terrified
And if you said jump in the river I would because it would probably be a good idea.
You're not supposed to be here at all now
It's all been a gorgeous mistake
Sick one or clean one
the best one
that God ever made
When I kissed you
you didn't mind
I thought I tasted of too many cigarettes
But you tasted like wine
and I'm not going to change my mind
Just because of what they said
The worm has laid eggs in their hearts
But not in my head
And if you said jump in the river I would
because it would probably be a good idea.
You're not supposed to be here at all now
It's all been a gorgeous mistake.
Sick one or clean one
the best one
that God ever made
There's been days like this before you know.
And I liked it all
like the times we did it so hard there was blood on the wall
And if you said jump in the river I would
because it would probably be a good idea
And if you said jump in the river I would
because it would probably be a good idea.
@TeknologiPintar
إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ RIP sinead 🙏
@amybarrett7300
Her first 2 albums were so damn good. I remember seeing the video for Mandinka on 120 minutes and being blown away. This song will always remind me of the summer my ex-husband and I started dating. It’s too bad that The Last Day of Our Acquaintance described the end of our marriage nearly 27 years later. She was such a brilliant artist. I hope she’s found peace now. 🙏🏻
@theduallanguagechannel
So sad…
I hope you have since found joy
@mrqs1549
My favorite Sinéad’s song, from the many great songs from her discography. Sad that you’re not here anymore, but I understand that you had to go. RIP Sinéad.
@theduallanguagechannel
It really is a phenomenal song. “The worm has laid eggs in their heart but not in my head.”
@krasty23hc
one of the most beautiful voice in the universe! sweet, powerful, angry....rest in peace Sinead!
@maureencholewka9755
RIP Sinead you were my heroine in this harsh world
@anthonyhume-ring810
FREE PALESTINE NOW!!!!!!!!!
@travisjames3517
“IDNWWIHG” will always be my fav album. I worshipped it since its release in Jan of 1990 and still do….
@CorporalDavis
RIP Sinead.. i remember when this came out.. one of my favorite songs...