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.
Streetcars
Sinéad O'Connor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To become the love I'm longing
Love was never something beyond me
Underneath me or above me
And I will, I must and so I will
Dwell beneath the desert still
For there's no safety to be acquired
If I were dying, if I were dying
What would I want, what would I want with me?
If I were dying, if I were dying
Who would I want, who would I want to see?
And I will, I must and so I will
Dwell beneath the desert still
For there's no safety to be acquired
Riding streetcars named desire
When I was married, when I was married
I'd ask my husband to lay his body over me
And to tell me, and to tell me
Just how safe he'd keep me
And I will, I must and so I will
Dwell beneath the desert still
For there's no safety to be acquired
Riding streetcars named desire
In this song, Sinéad O'Connor talks about her decision to embrace love and make it a part of who she is. She chooses to not see love as something external to herself but rather something that exists within her. She acknowledges that there is no guarantee of safety in the pursuit of desire, but is willing to take the risk despite the dangers.
The lyrics of the song are both introspective and existential. Sinéad asks herself what she would want if she were dying and who she would want to see. These are the kinds of questions that force us to confront the uncertainty of life and the inevitability of death. The chorus repeats the line, "And I will, I must and so I will, dwell beneath the desert still" which seems to suggest that regardless of the risks, she is committed to living her life authentically.
Overall, the song seems to be about the importance of taking chances, of following our hearts even if it means encountering danger and uncertainty along the way. It speaks to the idea that love, in all its forms, can be both liberating and terrifying.
Line by Line Meaning
I have chosen, I have chosen
I have made a conscious decision to embark on this journey of becoming the love I have always longed for.
To become the love I'm longing
I strive to transform myself into the love I yearn for.
Love was never something beyond me
Love was always within me and attainable, but I could not see it before.
Underneath me or above me
Love is not something that I can measure or reach by going under or above something; it is within me.
And I will, I must and so I will
I have strong determination to abide by my decision and see it through.
Dwell beneath the desert still
I will remain alone in a deserted place to reflect and meditate on my journey.
For there's no safety to be acquired
There's no safety in the desires that I chase after, as it would only lead to disappointment and heartache.
Riding streetcars named desire
My pursuit of my desires feels like an uncertain journey on a streetcar named desire.
If I were dying, if I were dying
If I were facing imminent death,
What would I want, what would I want with me?
What would I want to hold onto in my final moments?
Who would I want, who would I want to see?
Who would I want to share my last moments with?
When I was married, when I was married
In my past marriage,
I'd ask my husband to lay his body over me
I would ask him to protect and comfort me.
And to tell me, and to tell me
I would ask him to reassure me that I'm safe.
Just how safe he'd keep me
I wanted to know that he had the ability to protect me from any harm.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GRAHAM HENDERSON, SINEAD MARIE BERNARDE O'CONNOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anderson Fernandes
So beautiful sinead voice.