Critical Reception
* In 2004, Rolling Stone placed the Sinéad O'Connor single at number 162 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, which contains only two songs of the 1990s ranked higher.
* In a 2006 poll for a Channel 5 program "Britain's Favourite Break-up Songs", Sinéad O'Connor's version of "Nothing Compares 2 U" was voted fifth.
* VH1 Classic listed Sinead O'Connor's version as the second greatest classic love song, behind Al Green's "Let's Stay Together".
* In 2002, VH1 ranked the song the 18th greatest one-hit wonder.
* In 2007, VH1 ranked O'Connor's rendition number 10 of the "100 Greatest Songs of the 90s".
* In 2008, VH1 ranked the song the number 1 on "Final Countdown - Top 50 Heartbreakers".
Nothing Compares 2U
Sinéad O'Connor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since you took your love away
I go out every night and sleep all day
Since you took your love away
Since you been gone I can do whatever I want
I can see whomever I choose
I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant
I said nothing can take away these blues
'Cause nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
It's been so lonely without you here
Like a bird without a song
Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling
Tell me baby where did I go wrong
I could put my arms around every boy I see
But they'd only remind me of you
I went to the doctor and guess what he told me?
Guess what he told me?
He said girl you better try to have fun
No matter what you do, but he's a fool
'Cause nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
All the flowers that you planted mama
In the back yard
All died when you went away
I know that living with you baby was sometimes hard
But I'm willing to give it another try
'Cause nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
"Nothing Compares 2U" is a song with powerful lyrics that depict the sadness and loneliness that comes with a lost love. The opening line "It's been seven hours and fifteen days" signifies the agony and endlessness that comes with the days after a breakup, and how each day feels like an eternity without the presence of the one you love. The lyrics convey the message that despite going out and doing things that are supposed to bring happiness, there is an ever-present emptiness that cannot be filled. The phrase "I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant, but nothing, I said nothing can take away these blues" shows the futility of trying to move on quickly when you are still in love, and the chorus emphasizes how nothing compares to the love that has been lost.
The second verse describes the pain of being without the one who has left. The metaphor "Like a bird without a song" implies the absence of the love and liveliness that came with the relationship, and expresses the depth of the singer's feelings. The admission that they could put their arms around anybody, but only the one they love will do, emphasizes how impossible it is to move on from a deep and meaningful relationship. The verse also suggests that they may have been given advice to move on, but it is impossible, as the doctor is a fool if they truly believe anything can replace a lost love.
The final verse shows that while the singer is willing to try again, they acknowledge the difficulty of the relationship. As the song ends, it becomes clear that nothing can bring back the lost love, and the pain will persist indefinitely.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been seven hours and fifteen days
It has been a significant amount of time since you left.
Since you took your love away
Since you broke up with me.
I go out every night and sleep all day
I stay up all night and sleep during the day to avoid facing my loneliness.
Since you been gone I can do whatever I want
Since you left, I have no one to answer to and have the freedom to do what I please.
I can see whomever I choose
I can date whoever I want.
I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant
I can afford to have nice meals out.
But nothing
No amount of freedom, money or distraction can cure my heartache.
I said nothing can take away these blues
Despite my efforts, I am still sad and nothing can change that.
'Cause nothing compares
There is no comparison.
Nothing compares to you
Nothing in my life compares to how much I loved you and how much I miss you.
It's been so lonely without you here
My life has been empty and unfulfilling since you left.
Like a bird without a song
I feel incomplete and without purpose.
Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling
Even though I try to be strong, my sadness overflows and I cannot control my tears.
Tell me baby where did I go wrong
I am confused and don't understand why our relationship ended.
I could put my arms around every boy I see
I could try to find comfort in other men, but it wouldn't help me forget about you.
But they'd only remind me of you
Any other man would pale in comparison to you and remind me of what I lost.
I went to the doctor and guess what he told me?
I sought professional help because I am struggling so much.
Guess what he told me?
I asked the doctor for advice and was eager to hear what he would tell me.
He said girl you better try to have fun
The doctor advised me to try to enjoy myself and find happiness in other ways.
No matter what you do, but he's a fool
I do not believe that enjoying myself can cure my heartbreak and consider the doctor's advice foolish.
'Cause nothing compares
There is no comparison.
Nothing compares to you
Nothing in my life compares to how much I loved you and how much I miss you.
All the flowers that you planted mama
You did many things for me when we were together.
In the back yard
I remember these things in our shared home.
All died when you went away
Without you, everything has lost its beauty and purpose.
I know that living with you baby was sometimes hard
I acknowledge that our relationship had its struggles and difficulties.
But I'm willing to give it another try
Even though it was hard, I would still choose to be with you.
'Cause nothing compares
There is no comparison.
Nothing compares to you
Nothing in my life compares to how much I loved you and how much I miss you.
Nothing compares
There is nothing that can compare to my love for you.
Nothing compares to you
There is nothing in this world that can replace you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Prince Rogers Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wildmercuryfilms
Prince wrote this song.
I think everyone is simply reminded of when Sinead & Prince fought.
Sinead O’Connor & Prince - The Fight They Had In Los Angeles
This is from Far Out Magazine in 2021.
While most young and impressionable singers would likely do anything to impress Prince, O’Connor has always been an outlier, and her fiery Irish nature stops her from being submissive. “We tried to beat each other up,” O’Connor told Good Morning Britain in 2019. “This is not a joke, it was a really frightening experience. It was in LA, he summoned me to his house and foolishly I went along. He was uncomfortable that I wasn’t his protégé and he wanted me to be. He was wanting me to be a protégé of his and ordered that I don’t swear in my interviews. I told him where he could go”.
According to O’Connor, the mood changed after this comment, and then the situation descended into violence: “He went upstairs and got a pillow and he had something hard in the pillow. I ran out of his house, hiding behind a tree,” she claimed. “We meet on the highway in Malibu at five in the morning – I’m spitting at him, he’s trying to punch me. I had to go ring someone’s doorbell, which my father always told me to do if I was in a situation like that”.
@thevibeguide
Rest in peace Sinead
@Grubbly10
She was a nutjob
@memoriesmarmymind...5587
OMG what's wrong with you you also commented on Tina turner videos
@Grubbly10
@@memoriesmarmymind...5587 no I didn’t..
@Ramblin-Man
@@memoriesmarmymind...5587 She's dead, aged 56. Irish Times were the first to report it...
@editek5992
@@memoriesmarmymind...5587 She died...what is wrong with you?
@robertthompson5908
I saw her in concert with my wife , about 35 years ago. We were both big fans. My wife passed away about 10 years ago. RIP Sinead and RIP my wife.
@yevhenukrainianer4781
Keep strong. I hope you have a friend you can share your memories with.
@merkudo258
I am sorry to hear. Lets hope they jam togheter now
@KH_FYM
I'm sorry my guy. Hopefully one day you'll be with your wife again.