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.
Sacrifice
Sinéad O'Connor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When things go wrong
When the scent of her lingers
And temptation's strong
Into the boundaries
Of each married man
Sweet deceit comes callin'
Cold, cold heart
Hard done by you
Some things look better baby
Just passin' through
And it's no sacrifice
Just a simple word
It's two hearts living
In two separate worlds
And it's no sacrifice
No sacrifice
No sacrifice at all
Mutual misunderstandings
After the fact
Sensitivity builds a prison
In the final act
We lose direction
No stone unturned
No tears to damn you
When jealousy burns
Cold, cold heart
Hard done by you
Some things look better baby
Just passing through
And it's no sacrifice
Just a simple word
It's two hearts living
In two separate worlds
But it's no sacrifice
No sacrifice
No sacrifice at all
I gave my heart
I gave my heart
I gave my heart
I gave my heart
I gave my heart
I gave my heart
I gave my heart
I gave my heart
The lyrics of Sinead O'Connor's “Sacrifice” deal with the themes of infidelity, relationships coming to an end, and the pain that both parties feel when things go wrong. The opening line, “It's a human sign,” can be interpreted as a reference to how we all make mistakes and are prone to temptation. The following lines suggest that when a partner is unfaithful, they can leave behind a lingering scent that signifies something is wrong. The words “sweet deceit” and “negativity lands” are used to describe the destructive nature of infidelity and how it can ruin relationships.
The second verse is all about the aftermath of infidelity. The line, “We lose direction, no stone unturned,” suggests a couple who are desperately trying to work things out but are ultimately unable to overcome their pain and jealousy. The closing lines of the song, “I gave my heart,” are a poignant reminder of the love and trust that was shared between the couple, and how that has now been lost.
In summary, “Sacrifice” is a song about the complexities of relationships and the pain that comes with infidelity. It addresses themes that many people can relate to, such as the difficulty of letting go of someone you once loved, the hurt of betrayal, and the longing for emotional connection.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a human sign
This is a common trait observed among human beings
When things go wrong
Whenever something does not proceed as planned
When the scent of her lingers
The distinct smell of her remains even after she has left
And temptation's strong
And the urge to give in is overwhelming
Into the boundaries
Crossing personal borders
Of each married man
Of every man who is already committed
Sweet deceit comes callin'
Sweet lies attempt to lure in the listener
And negativity lands
And the atmosphere turns sour
Cold, cold heart
An unfeeling heart
Hard done by you
You have suffered a lot
Some things look better baby
Some things may seem more appealing than they are
Just passin' through
They are only temporarily there
And it's no sacrifice
It's not an act of giving up anything valuable
Just a simple word
Only a basic requirement
It's two hearts living
Two individuals co-existing
In two separate worlds
Living different lives
And it's no sacrifice
There is nothing being lost by this arrangement
No sacrifice
There is no sacrificial element in this situation
No sacrifice at all
This scenario doesn't involve sacrifice
Mutual misunderstandings
Both parties fail to communicate effectively
After the fact
Only realized after it has happened
Sensitivity builds a prison
Being too sensitive can cause one to be trapped
In the final act
At the end of the relationship
We lose direction
We become directionless
No stone unturned
Everything possible has been attempted to save the relationship
No tears to damn you
No tears remain to lament the ending of the union
When jealousy burns
When jealousy starts to consume us
I gave my heart
I invested my emotions
I gave my heart
I invested my emotions
I gave my heart
I invested my emotions
I gave my heart
I invested my emotions
I gave my heart
I invested my emotions
I gave my heart
I invested my emotions
I gave my heart
I invested my emotions
I gave my heart
I invested my emotions
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bernie Taupin, Elton John
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@frankpaul3479
agree with everything you write kathy.
plus no one, and i mean no one {other than maybe the pet shop boys, lol} can take someone else's song and make it their own.
usually i find cover versions a complete waste of time, but she takes this, claims it and improves it.
how much more of a legacy can you ask for?
what a privilege the rest of us have had to listen to her music over the years, and i'm deeply saddened to know that they'll be no new music from this genius, whose only crime was to be born a woman {more on the oppression of women since the fable of adam and eve was made up for another time, perhaps}. any man would have been deemed a hero to have spoken out about the atrocities of life {most especially the hypocrisy of the catholic 'faith' which most assuredly has soooo much to answer to, but many other issues too: 'black boys on mopeds' as a prime example}. her stand on issues should have been commended, not condemned.
one day we will look back at her 'rantings', and announce that she was a highly evolved spirit. we may even declare: saint sinead {perhaps that's going a bit far, lol}
fantastically sadly sung, and may the good god above, below, beyond and within us all take the spirit of this delightful singer and bring her eternal peace.
thanks for posting this incredible song,
love and peace to you and all,
xxxxxxx
@ugocrespini
It's a human sign
When things go wrong
When the scent of her lingers
And temptation's strong
Into the boundary
Of each married man
Deceit comes calling
And negativity lands
Cold cold heart
Hard done by you
Some things look better, baby
Just passing through
And it's no sacrifice
Just a simple word
Two hearts living
In two separate worlds
And it's no sacrifice
No sacrifice
No sacrifice at all
Mutual misunderstanding
After the fact
Sensitivity builds a prison
In the final act
We lose direction
No stone unturned
No tears to damn you
When jealousy burns
Cold, cold heart
Hard done by you
Some things look better, baby
Just passin' through
And it's no sacrifice
Just a simple word
Two hearts livin'
In two separate worlds
And, it's no sacrifice
No sacrifice
No sacrifice, at all
I give my heart
I give my heart
I give my heart
I give my heart...
@frankpaul3479
@@PeterYates-kb4hp hello there again peter.
my first reaction:
whaaaaat? sinead did a cover version of this too?
so of course i've listened to it already.
well, it was always going to be a hard sell. you just happened to have choosen my all time favourite band BY FAR. like ever. so i tried to listen as impartially as i could.
but this didn't quite do it for me.
her singing is good, and i enjoyed the couple of variations to the original.
but unlike 'nothing compares' and 'sacrifice' where she takes those already great songs and owns them, she really didn't do enough of this this time for me.
hope we can still be cyber friends, lol
cheers.
@fadbaguni
I was the keyboard player on this recording, and it was a real pleasure to be standing next to her when she recorded her vocal on top of it ...
@passmoilpoivre3758
I'm jealous ! ;-)
@maurocoimbra9624
Congratulations for your great playing!!
@leeellis4501
Lucky man
@aarondavid5866
or not
@fadbaguni
@Aaron David Ha ! Indeed !
@tlawson521
Her voice is almost haunting in this song. She sings it with such emotion. It’s always been my favorite song by her. She had a difficult life and what she was able to accomplish despite that is truly admirable. RIP sweet soul
@meganjarrell4668
Hauntingly beautiful 🫶🏻
@melissafraser1900
@@meganjarrell4668A beautiful Soul
@michaelcooke8974
I never usually cry when celebrities died because well... It's easy to put the emotional distance behind the art and screen.. meant yes I'm attached to or certain aspects that their persona my portray... And I'm a support things they did society or something... However literally boo-hooing for the loss here with her... The things she faced in life early on... Her struggles with mental health... And just how she bleeds her heart out everytime she opens her mouth to sing... There was nothing held back by her ever... She was passionate... Extremely caring... Troubled... And every day was a struggle for her and she put her heart and soul into everything she touched... I struggle with certain aspects of my life as well and I can't help but to weep because life is hard we make it beautiful every chance we get every... Sharing our pain or weakness in our struggle opens up for criticism judgment and backlash from people I have felt that before people have hurt me physically for crying over being emotionally vulnerable... She was truly special in every song I've ever listened to her do was very genuine... She was never diva... And her version of Elton John's "no sacrifice" truly moves my heart in ways no other piece of music could. Sing my angel...sing! My name is Steven rickerson and I'm posting under my partners account. The way you regard this piece of music I figure you would appreciate this.