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.
Your Green Jacket
Sinéad O'Connor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I like you 'cause it looks to me like you are caught
Between two or three worlds, I am too
Is it OK to say I see some of myself in you?
And even though I know I'm not for you
Is it okay to say I really do adore you?
And I would give anything
Smelled your jacket,
When you left it on its lonely post
Wrapped it 'round me like it was the holiest of ghosts
Oh your smell it came through
Mmm, made me wish I had my face buried in you
You're soft, you're soft, you're old but you're younger
Oh how I wish I had my head upon your shoulder
Oh how I wish that I could sell myself to you
And do the things that only lovers do
And even though I know I'm not for you
Is it OK to say I really do adore you?
And I would give anything
To be the one who kisses you
Goodnight
Goodnight
Oh close your eyes
Meet me at that crazy apple tree in heaven
We'll go dancing all night
And even though I know I'm not for you
Is it OK to say I really do adore you?
And I would give anything
To be the one who kisses you
Goodnight
Goodnight
In "Your Green Jacket," Sinéad O'Connor explores the concept of unrequited love. Through the gentle, soft imagery of the song, O'Connor paints a picture of a person caught between different worlds, similar to how she sees herself. This creates a sense of shared empathy between the singer and the subject of her affections. She confesses to admiring this person and wanting to be romantically involved with them, even though she knows it's not possible. The repeated line "Is it OK to say I really do adore you?" highlights her inner conflict and her desire for some kind of acknowledgement from the other person.
The lyrics take a sensual turn, with O'Connor describing how she "smelled your jacket" when he left it behind. She wraps it around herself, coating herself in his scent like it's a sacred thing. Her language here is almost reverential, imbuing this item of clothing with a spiritual quality. She yearns to be closer to him, to have her head on his shoulder and to experience the intimacy that comes with being a couple. The song ends on a dreamy note, with O'Connor inviting the object of her affection to meet her "at that crazy apple tree in heaven" so they can "go dancing all night."
Overall, "Your Green Jacket" is a melancholic declaration of love from someone who knows they can't have what they want. The lyrics are introspective, exploring the singer's own feelings as she grapples with this unrequited love. The song's gentle cadence and soft imagery create an ethereal, almost dreamlike atmosphere that serves as a backdrop to this intense emotional journey.
Line by Line Meaning
You're so gentle and so soft
I perceive you as someone who is kind and sensitive.
I like you 'cause it looks to me like you are caught
I am attracted to you because I think you are caught between different worlds, similar to myself.
Between two or three worlds, I am too
I also experience the feeling of being stuck between different worlds or identities.
Is it OK to say I see some of myself in you?
I wonder if it is appropriate to admit that I relate to you in certain aspects.
And even though I know I'm not for you
Despite understanding that we may not be a good match,
Is it okay to say I really do adore you?
may I confess that I truly admire you?
And I would give anything
I would be willing to give up anything
To be the one who kisses you
To be the person who gets to kiss you.
Smelled your jacket,
I smelled your jacket
When you left it on its lonely post
When you left it hanging in solitude.
Wrapped it 'round me like it was the holiest of ghosts
I covered myself with it as if it was a sacred thing.
Oh your smell it came through
I was able to detect your scent
Mmm, made me wish I had my face buried in you
It made me crave your closeness.
You're soft, you're soft, you're old but you're younger
Despite being older, you have a youthful energy and tenderness.
Oh how I wish I had my head upon your shoulder
I long to rest my head on your shoulder.
Oh how I wish that I could sell myself to you
I wish that I could offer myself to you.
And do the things that only lovers do
And engage in intimate acts reserved for those in a romantic relationship.
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Oh close your eyes
Please, close your eyes
Meet me at that crazy apple tree in heaven
Let's meet at that eccentric apple tree in the afterlife.
We'll go dancing all night
We will dance all night long.
And even though I know I'm not for you
Although I understand that we may not be compatible,
Is it OK to say I really do adore you?
may I still express my strong appreciation towards you?
And I would give anything
I would be willing to sacrifice anything
To be the one who kisses you
To be the fortunate person who gets to kiss you.
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Goodnight
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GRAHAM KEARNS, JOHN CHARLES REYNOLDS, SINEAD MARIE BERNARDE O'CONNOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Treff Bennett
I guess peeps have forgotten about the mercurial and oh so talented Sinead! This album is her best in quite awhile and is chock full of memorable, melodic tunes that feature her incredible vocals and passionate lyrics.....love the fact you posted this GEM OF AN ALBUM! Huge thanks to LAB344!!!
Cillian Sands
I love this album too!
Michael C
On repeat for day #2, I can't stop listening to this!
Mareliza
I can't stop listening 👍
Almir Ulises Mestre León
I love the guitar intro.
Suzy Ter-Oganesyan
Perfect 👌🏼
Benn Eden
Sweet chorus
Jonathan Kieran
With a strong label behind her, and just a touch of bigger, sharper production, this song would have been a sweet, MASSIVE worldwide hit. Sinead did not follow the industry’s directions, however. That’s to her credit, because most pop music is trash. Her lifelong spiritual and mental struggles will never diminish the majesty of her best work as both stunning singer and superb writer.
jackie judd
so different so not sinead so brilliant
JM Thomas
I'm going to dedicate the remainder of my life to learning how to hack youtube so I can give this song more likes.