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 2 U
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
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
Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
The song "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinéad O'Connor is a heart-wrenching ballad about the aftermath of a breakup, where the singer is struggling to cope with the loss of a lover. The song begins with the line, "It's been seven hours and fifteen days since you took your love away," which highlights the central theme of the song. The singer describes the emptiness she feels every day and night since her lover left her. She tries to distract herself by going out every night and sleeping her days away, but the pain of the breakup lingers on.
Sinéad O'Connor's performance of the song is incredibly emotional, and the lyrics capture the sense of loneliness and heartbreak that anyone who has experienced a painful breakup can relate to. The line "I could put my arms around every boy I see, but they'd only remind me of you," perfectly captures the despair that comes with trying to move on from someone you once loved deeply.
But the singer still holds a torch for her lover, despite everything. She remembers the good times they had, and even when she tries to make new memories with new people, she finds that nothing compares to the love she once had. The song ends with the poignantly romantic line, "But I'm willing to give it another try. Nothing compares. Nothing compares to you."
Line by Line Meaning
It's been seven hours and fifteen days
It's been a long time since you left, seven hours and fifteen days to be exact.
Since you took your love away
Since you left me and ended our relationship.
I go out every night and sleep all day
I find myself going out every night and sleeping throughout the day, probably a way of avoiding my feelings about you.
Since you been gone I can do whatever I want
Since you've left I am free to do whatever I want, I don't have to worry about your opinion or feelings.
I can see whomever I choose
I am free to see or date anyone, as there's no commitment and I have the choice to be with whomever I want.
I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant
I can afford the luxuries in life and enjoy them freely, such as going to fancy restaurants to eat my meals.
But nothing
Despite all of these things that I can do, there's a feeling of emptiness or nothingness inside me.
I said nothing can take away these blues
Regardless of what I do, the feelings of sadness and regret because of losing you won't go away.
'Cause nothing compares
Because there is nothing that can compare to the love I had for you, nothing can replace it.
Nothing compares to you
You were unique and special to me, and there is no one else that can take your place.
It's been so lonely without you here
I feel extremely lonely and vulnerable without you being here.
Like a bird without a song
My life feels incomplete and colorless without the love and support that you once provided me with.
Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling
I am constantly sad and can't help but cry because of the pain and sadness associated with this loss.
Tell me, baby, where did I go wrong
I am unable to understand my mistakes and errors that led to our separation, I am trying to find answers.
I could put my arms around every boy I see
I might be capable of loving or being with someone new, but it won't be the same as what we had.
But they'd only remind me of you
However, being with someone else might lead to memories of you and how everything was different and better with you.
I went to the doctor and guess what he told me?
I tried seeking professional help and advice about my situation, can you guess what the doctor advised?
He said, "Girl you better try to have fun
The doctor advised me to try and have fun, regardless of the current situation and circumstances.
No matter what you do, but he's a fool"
The singer does not agree with the doctor's opinion, and believes that he is a fool. Having fun isn't something they're capable of right now.
'Cause nothing compares
Because there is nothing that can compare to the love I had for you, nothing can replace it.
Nothing compares to you
You were unique and special to me, and there is no one else that can take your place.
All the flowers that you planted, mama
This line probably refers to all the efforts and love that was shared between the artist and their partner.
In the back yard
The backyard could represent their relationship or someplace special they used to share.
All died when you went away
But now that their relationship and connection is over, everything seems to have lost its essence and meaning.
I know that living with you, baby, was sometimes hard
The singer is aware that their relationship wasn't perfect, and there were difficulties that they faced as a couple.
But I'm willing to give it another try
Despite everything that's happened, the singer is open to the idea of trying again and making things work between them.
Nothing compares
Because there is nothing that can compare to the love I had for you, nothing can replace it.
Nothing compares to you
You were unique and special to me, and there is no one else that can take your place.
Nothing compares
Because there is nothing that can compare to the love I had for you, nothing can replace it.
Nothing compares to you
You were unique and special to me, and there is no one else that can take your place.
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.