Sinéad did not enter the Fame Academy in the same way as the other contestants. The first eleven contestants were picked by the show's judges, but the final contestant was picked through a public vote in the first programme of the series. Sinéad, David Sneddon and Paul MacDonald sang in this vote but Sinéad won the public's support. She gained 51% of the votes and won her place in the Fame Academy.
The fan base Sinéad built up in the first programme stayed with her during the whole series, and allowed her to reach the final. During this time she sang a range of songs from Macy Gray's "I Try" and Garth Brook's "If Tomorrow Never Comes" to "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "Don't Speak".
In the final, Sinéad was up against David Sneddon (who had entered the Academy at a later date due to Naomi Roper pulling out due to illness) and Lemar Obika. She finished second with 2.5 million of the 6.5 million votes cast. Although missing out on the guaranteed record deal and living the "lifestyle of a star" for a year, she had the attention of the music industry.
Within a week of leaving the Fame Academy, Sinéad signed a £1 million, five album record deal with Mercury Records.
Her debut single, "I Can’t Break Down", was released 10 February 2003. It reached number 2 in the British charts, being beaten to the top spot by t.A.T.u.. The single sold around 70,000 copies, finishing in 65th place for the top selling UK singles of 2003.
Sinéad's follow up single "What You Need Is" only reached number 19 in the charts, and her self-written album, Ready To Run, peaked at number 48.
Sinéad's only other releases to date was on the Fame Academy Album alongside all the other Fame Academy contestants and guest vocals on fellow contestant Malachi Cush's debut album.
Both before and after Fame Academy, Sinéad was a keen songwriter and performer. The show allowed her to develop her song writing talents and provided her with her first ever singing lessons. The Fame Academy Tour, which followed the series, gave Sinéad her first major public performances outside a TV studio.
In the three years since leaving the Fame Academy, Sinéad has had a regular list of public performances. With the backing of a guitar based group she went on a University tour in 2003. She has played to a full-house at Music Live 2003 at the National Exhibition Centre and in 2005 she supported Children in Need with a performance and sang at the switch-on of Christmas lights in Coventry. She has also taken part in RTÉ's TV show - "The Lyrics Board" and on New Year's Eve, 2005, she performed on another RTÉ television show - "Everyone's A Winner", singing Sheryl Crow's song - "Everyday Is A Winding Road".
Also in 2005 Sinéad was invited by the Irish President, Mary McAleese, "to a reception to celebrate (her) contribution to the entertainment industry in Ireland" at the Presidents official residence, Áras an Uachtaráin.
Sinéad has been touring with SSVC performing for the British Armed Forces around the world. Of note is the fact that while in Cyprus a special "Going Out Tonight" show was put on for those living on the RAF Akrotiri base, unusual because this meant it was open to anyone living on the base, including families of forces members, whereas these shows are normally reserved for servicemen on operations.
Sinéad played the role of Beth in the 2007 live tour of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. Also in 2007 she performed at and judged each of the nine regional finals for Girl Guiding UK's talent competition 'Guiding Star' and also appeared at the Grand Final in Sheffield on 30 June 2007 as a performer and a judge.
Whilst she's concentrated on smaller intimate gigs in 2008, mainly in smaller locations in London, she'll be the support act for Lulu at the Chichester Festivities in July.
Don't Give It Up Girl
Sinéad Quinn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
when you walk out of the room? She's so rough
Haven't you thought what you'll do,
You can't choose when you loose all your youth,
You're old long enough,
Haven't you guessed?
You're a mess
Nothing left
Don't digrace yourself.
And you don't feel your worth,
You're pure gorgeous girl...
How'd you get off when your hearts not in it?
How'd you get love when you're miles away?
Why'd you reveal him all of your secrets?
Don't give it up, don't give it up,
Don't give it up, don't give it up,
Don't give it up girl (Don't give it up girl)
Catch yourself on, you're so wrong,
you belong with someone who will say,
"Let's wait a while"
Catch your breath, you just me,
he won't think nothing less, have your way,
Just wait a while
Get a grip, get a grip will ya?
Ya won't slip will ya?
He sleep and sprint away --
and he won't see your worth
When you're pure gorgeous girl
How'd you get off when your hearts not in it?
How'd you get love when you're miles away?
Why'd you reveal him all of your secrets?
Don't give it up, don't give it up,
Don't give it up, don't give it up,
Don't give it up girl (Don't give it up girl)
You're a good girl, and i know you like a laugh,
You're a good girl, let them see you got some class,
You could be my sister, can't stand to watch you hurt
'Cos you're pure gorgeous girl
You're pure gorgeous girl ---
Don't give it up
Don't give it up
Don't give it up
Don't give it up
Don't give it up
Don't, don't, don't...
Hold back something
Don't give everything away
Keep back something...
Don't give it up
Don't give it up
Don't give it up
Don't give it up
Don't give it up
How'd you get off when your hearts not in it?
How'd you get love when you're miles away?
Why'd you reveal him all of your secrets?
Don't give it up, don't give it up,
Don't give it up, don't give it up,
Don't give it up girl (Don't give it up girl)
Keep back something...
The song "Don't Give It Up Girl" by Sinéad Quinn seems to be about a woman who is being warned about the way she's perceived and how it may harm her in the long run. Through the lyrics, we can see that the woman has lost her youth and doesn't seem to have much self-worth. The song suggests that she may be involved with someone who doesn't see her worth and may not treat her well. The singer encourages the woman to hold something back and not reveal all of her secrets to this person, as it may leave her vulnerable and hurt in the end.
The lyrics seem to be a warning to the woman to be cautious and to not lose herself completely to this person who may not appreciate her. The line "Don't digrace yourself" indicates that the singer is concerned that the woman may harm her reputation by being involved with this person. The repeated refrain "Don't give it up" seems to indicate that the singer is urging the woman to hold onto something for herself and not to give everything away to this person who may not be worth it.
Overall, the song seems to be a cautionary tale about being careful in relationships and not losing oneself completely. It encourages women to value themselves and not settle for someone who doesn't appreciate them.
Line by Line Meaning
Haven't you heard what they say about you
when you walk out of the room? She's so rough
Have you not heard the negative comments people make about you as soon as you leave their sight? They describe you as unsophisticated and unrefined.
Haven't you thought what you'll do,
You can't choose when you loose all your youth,
You're old long enough,
Haven't you guessed?
You're a mess
Nothing left
And you get no respect,
Don't digrace yourself.
And you don't feel your worth,
You're pure gorgeous girl...
Don't you ever think about your future, especially when you waste all your youthful years, leaving you with nothing but sorrows? You have already lost your dignity, and you don't get the respect you deserve. Don't shame yourself or try to be worthless; it's essential to know that you are a beautiful and valuable person.
How'd you get off when your hearts not in it?
How'd you get love when you're miles away?
Why'd you reveal him all of your secrets?
Don't give it up, don't give it up,
Don't give it up, don't give it up,
Don't give it up girl (Don't give it up girl)
Why do you pretend to be interested in things when you don't genuinely care? How will you be able to love someone who is so far away from you? Why do you have to share all your thoughts and secrets with someone who doesn't deserve your trust? Never give up your dreams, your self-respect, your values, or your life for anyone else or anything else. Stay strong and be true to yourself always.
Catch yourself on, you're so wrong,
you belong with someone who will say,
"Let's wait a while"
Catch your breath, you just me,
he won't think nothing less, have your way,
Just wait a while
Get a grip, get a grip will ya?
Ya won't slip will ya?
He sleep and sprint away --
and he won't see your worth
When you're pure gorgeous girl
Realize that you are making a mistake and that you deserve someone who will respect you and be patient with you. Take a step back and calm down because you have time to make things better. Be confident that you have the right to make your own choices, and he won't think less of you. Hold on to your values and don't let anyone take advantage of you. Be smart and don't let him take you for granted, because you are a stunning and resilient girl.
You're a good girl, and i know you like a laugh,
You're a good girl, let them see you got some class,
You could be my sister, can't stand to watch you hurt
'Cos you're pure gorgeous girl
You're pure gorgeous girl ---
You are a kind-hearted person, and I know you like to have fun. People need to see your elegance and sophistication. You remind me of my sister, and it hurts me to see you suffer. It's because you are a beautiful and amazing girl.
Don't give it up
Don't give it up
Don't give it up
Don't give it up
Don't give it up
Don't, don't, don't...
Never let go of your convictions and values, and never give up on your dreams, regardless of what anyone else says. Don't let anyone hold you back because you are worth it.
Hold back something
Don't give everything away
Keep back something...
Don't show all your cards to someone too quickly. Keep some parts of yourself hidden and protected so that you can assess the person's intentions and trustworthiness first.
Contributed by Molly D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.