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.
Why Don't You Do Right?
Sinéad O'Connor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nineteen forty one
You lost it all
And then, where do you run?
Why don't you do right?
Like some other men do?
Get out of here and
Get me some money too
Yo'sittin' down wondering
What it's all about
If you ain't got no money
They will put you out
Why don't you do right?
Like some other men do?
Just get out of here and
Get me some money too
If you had prepared
Twenty years ago
You wouldn't have wand'ring
Now from do'to do'
Why don't you do right?
Like some other men do?
Get out of here and
Get me some money too
Why don't you do right?
Like some other men do?
Like some other men do?
Like some other men do?
Sinéad O'Connor's cover of the classic jazz song "Why Don't You Do Right?" tells a story of a woman confronting her man who has lost everything he had in 1941. The woman challenges him on why he doesn't do right like other men, and get her some money too. She is tired of sitting around wondering what it's all about, and how not having money can cause people to be cast out. The song then goes on to suggest that if he had been better prepared twenty years ago, he wouldn't be in his current situation of wandering from door to door.
The lyrics speak to the timeless theme of financial struggle and the importance of being financially responsible. The woman in the song is calling out her partner for not stepping up to provide for her and their life together. She demands that he do right and not be content with their current situation. The lyrics also question societal norms of gender roles, where men were traditionally expected to provide for their families, and the woman here demands her partner to live up to that expectation. It is a song that carries a powerful message while still retaining its jazz roots.
Line by Line Meaning
You had plenty money
Once you had a lot of money
Nineteen forty one
The year is 1941
You lost it all
You went bankrupt
And then, where do you run?
Now you have nowhere to go
Why don't you do right?
Why don't you start doing the right thing?
Like some other men do?
Like other successful men do?
Get out of here and
Leave this place and
Get me some money too
Make some money for me as well
Yo'sittin' down wondering
You are sitting and wondering
What it's all about
Trying to figure out what life is all about
If you ain't got no money
If you don't have money
They will put you out
You will be kicked out
Just get out of here and
Simply leave this place and
Get me some money too
Earn some money for me too
If you had prepared
If you had planned ahead
Twenty years ago
20 years earlier
You wouldn't have wand'ring
You wouldn't be wandering aimlessly
Now from do'to do'
From one place to another
Why don't you do right?
Why don't you start doing the right thing?
Like some other men do?
Like other successful men do?
Get out of here and
Leave this place and
Get me some money too
Make some money for me as well
Why don't you do right?
Why don't you start doing the right thing?
Like some other men do?
Like other successful men do?
Like some other men do?
Like other successful men do?
Like some other men do?
Like other successful men do?
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joe McCoy
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.