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.
Just Call Me Joe
Sinéad O'Connor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Into the city, slander all eyes
We found a great love as we fell inside
They could not touch us as we'd go by
I've seen you the first time in Trogny's bar
But I'll see you later, we'll talk of black
We'll meet up for sure, oh will we not?
Away from all of the friends that you've got
I said don't call me sir
Just call me Joe
Don't call me lady
Just call me Joe
Don't call me mister
Oh, just call me Joe
Don't call me sweetheart
Just call me Joe
You wear the best clothes that I've ever seen
I've seen your light and your poetry
And it's the best thing that there's ever been
You're both the beauty and the beast
That's how it is and that's how it end
Into another city where you live far away
That's how it is and that's how it end
You've seen my face but you've never heard my name
Oh no, oh oh
I said don't call me sir
Oh, just call me Joe
Don't call me lady
Just call me Joe
Don't call me mister
Just call me Joe
Don't call me sweetheart
Just call me Joe
"We never said goodbye, I said carry your purses with you now I have
Regards to you about our night this weekend and I'm giving you
Information, the leaves, the leaves they like your teeth. Come on
I'm not going to force you now I had this, this annoying dream. This
Technology of ours..there's this place that is ever so refined that
One one knows and a storm boomer with white light action..life is the
Shadow of a fish, multiple electrical systems you fly through, traffic
Lights that may open a door...a bunch of computer systems as clear as
A cut crystal painting...infinite selections as clear as a crystal
Show...weapons, tanks, lasers, and aircraft moving across the sky, and
Huge missles, nuclear warheads that stand out more than
Anything...ultimate satellites, spy cameras, infared sensors, you, you
Can hear the thunder and positive thnking and start to say: I'll make
More human development practices..you don't have to go and stop your
Field practices..such as human rights violations, yeah come up and see
Me sometime if you never ever want to intensify all communication,
Listen to what I'm not saying over and over...
I feel as if some traveller returned"
The lyrics of Sinéad O'Connor's song Just Call Me Joe depict a story of two people who have fallen in love in the city, as they crossed the great divide. They celebrate their love by dressing up well and showcasing their best selves to the world. The city may be hostile to them, may slander them with their eyes, but they don't care because they have each other. They first meet in a bar and plan to meet again. However, they have to travel to different cities, but their love remains unchanged. They dislike being addressed by titles that classify them in gender stereotypes or denote formality. They rather be called by the name Joe.
The lyrics tell the story of a free-spirited love that is not bound by societal norms. It is a celebration of individuality, where two people find solace in each other despite the world's hostility. The refrain "Just call me Joe" signifies their rebellion against titles and formalities. It emphasises their belief in identifying themselves by name only, thereby discarding all forms of patriarchal norms, as well as rigid gender roles and societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
We came here across the great divide
We traveled here from far away, crossing great distances.
Into the city, slander all eyes
As we arrived in the city, people were judging us.
We found a great love as we fell inside
We fell deeply in love with each other.
They could not touch us as we'd go by
Despite all the judgment around us, we remained untouchable in our love.
I've seen you the first time in Trogny's bar
The first time I saw you was in a bar called Trogny's.
But I'll see you later, we'll talk of black
But we will meet again and have deep conversations.
We'll meet up for sure, oh will we not?
We will definitely meet again, won't we?
Away from all of the friends that you've got
When we meet again, it will be away from your other friends.
Oh no, oh no
Expressing anxiety or apprehension.
I said don't call me sir
Please don't refer to me with a formal title.
Just call me Joe
Call me by my first name, Joe.
Don't call me lady
Please don't call me by a female title.
You wear the best clothes that I've ever seen
I admire your fashion sense.
I've seen your light and your poetry
I recognize your inner light and creativity.
And it's the best thing that there's ever been
Your essence is the most amazing thing I have ever experienced.
You're both the beauty and the beast
You have both attractive and unappealing qualities.
That's how it is and that's how it end
Your personality is what it is, and it will not change.
Into another city where you live far away
You live in a distant city from me.
You've seen my face but you've never heard my name
You recognize me from sight, but you don't know my name.
Don't call me mister
Please don't refer to me as a formal title for a man.
Don't call me sweetheart
Please don't refer to me with a term of endearment.
"We never said goodbye, I said carry your purses with you now I have
We didn't say goodbye properly, but I reminded you to take your things with you.
Regards to you about our night this weekend and I'm giving you
I want to talk to you about our plans for the upcoming weekend.
Information, the leaves, the leaves they like your teeth. Come on
I have some interesting news and observations to share with you about your appearance.
I'm not going to force you now I had this, this annoying dream. This
I won't pressure you, but I need to tell you about a bothersome dream I had.
Technology of ours..there's this place that is ever so refined that
I want to tell you about a place that is incredibly advanced due to technological innovation.
One one knows and a storm boomer with white light action..life is the
There is a phenomenon that nobody understands, but it features white light and a thundering sound.
Shadow of a fish, multiple electrical systems you fly through, traffic
It's akin to moving through an electrical system, with traffic and shadows like that of a fish.
Lights that may open a door...a bunch of computer systems as clear as
There are specific lights that may trigger the opening of a door, and many computer systems with a crystal-clear interface.
A cut crystal painting...infinite selections as clear as a crystal
The options and possibilities in this advanced place are vast and clear.
Show...weapons, tanks, lasers, and aircraft moving across the sky, and
There are advanced military technologies such as weapons, tanks, lasers, and aircraft.
Huge missles, nuclear warheads that stand out more than
There are missiles and nuclear warheads that are particularly impressive.
Anything...ultimate satellites, spy cameras, infared sensors, you, you
Among these advanced technologies are ultimate satellites, spy cameras, and infrared sensors.
Can hear the thunder and positive thnking and start to say: I'll make
You can hear the thunder and begin to think positively, realizing that you have the power to make changes.
More human development practices..you don't have to go and stop your
You are inspired to engage in more human development practices and don't need to stop your existing work.
Field practices..such as human rights violations, yeah come up and see
You can continue with your work practices that align with your values, and I invite you to discuss this further together.
Me sometime if you never ever want to intensify all communication,
Please meet with me if you ever want to deepen our communication.
Listen to what I'm not saying over and over...
Pay attention to my unspoken words and what lies beneath the surface.
I feel as if some traveller returned"
I feel as if I am reconnecting with someone I have known before.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: KEVIN MOONEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
K. Maczák
on Troy
The song is about her abusive mother, who locked her out of the house, and she sitting in the long grass in summer keeping warm , while her mother turned off the light inside the house , and she screamed . etc.