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.
Fallacy
Sinéad Quinn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's meaningless words
Intoxicated mind
Times they swim so deep
They capture a place to hide
This place isn't perfect ' who the hell said it was
Not me, not me, was it you?
But then the path always has a bend
Cry any time you want
Cos I respect you
Cry any time you want
I respect you
Well now the rules they seem different for everyone
You have a gift
You were blessed with this son
Wearing that disguise is the easiest way
And you wear the mask so well
But then the path always has a bend
I should realise that you have a pulse too
Cry any time you want
Cos I respect you
Cry any time you want
I respect you
A bundle on your shoulders
Can cause you to weep sometimes
You know I'm always here for you
Whenever you need me, need me
Oh it's meaningless words
In an intoxicated
Cry any time you want
Cos I respect you
Cry any time you want
I respect you
Cry any time you want
I respect you
Cry any time you want
Cry any time you want
Cry any time you want
I respect you
Cry any time you want
Cry any time you want
Cry any time you want
I respect you
Yeah
The song "Fallacy" by Sinéad Quinn is a poignant reflection on the complexities of human relationships and communication. The opening lines, "it's meaningless words, intoxicated mind," suggest the singer is struggling to express herself to someone else who may not understand or appreciate her feelings. The line "times they swim so deep, they capture a place to hide," symbolizes the inner emotional struggles of the singer, perhaps feeling trapped and unable to fully express herself.
The second verse introduces the idea of wearing a disguise or mask to cope with life's challenges. The line "you wear the mask so well" implies that the person the singer is addressing has adeptly concealed their emotions and presented a facade to the world. The chorus serves as a repetition of the message that the singer wants to communicate: "cry any time you want, cos I respect you." The final lines of the song, "a bundle on your shoulders can cause you to weep sometimes, you know I'm always here for you," reinforce the idea that the singer values this person and wants them to feel safe to cry and express their emotions.
Overall, the lyrics of "Fallacy" seem to emphasize that true connection and understanding in relationships require honest communication and the ability to be vulnerable.
Line by Line Meaning
It's meaningless words
The things being said have no real value or importance.
Intoxicated mind
The singer's mind is clouded by some substance or emotion, making their perspective unclear.
Times they swim so deep
Certain moments or memories are very emotionally charged and can be difficult to navigate.
They capture a place to hide
These moments or memories serve as a way to escape from reality or conceal one's true feelings.
This place isn't perfect ' who the hell said it was
The refuge being sought isn't exactly a utopia, despite its ability to offer solace.
Not me, not me, was it you?
Neither the singer nor the listener made any claims about the refuge being perfect, so who did?
But then the path always has a bend
Life is unpredictable and there will always be unexpected twists and turns.
I should realize that you have a pulse too
The artist should remember that the listener is also human and has their own thoughts and feelings.
Cry any time you want
It's okay to be vulnerable and show one's emotions.
Cos I respect you
The artist cares for and values the listener.
Well now the rules they seem different for everyone
Fairness and equality seem elusive and arbitrary in different situations and for different people.
You have a gift
The listener possesses a special talent or ability.
You were blessed with this son
The listener has a child, which is considered a blessing.
Wearing that disguise is the easiest way
Concealing one's true self or feelings is the simplest option in certain situations.
And you wear the mask so well
The listener is very good at pretending or hiding their true feelings.
A bundle on your shoulders
The listener has a heavy burden or responsibility to carry.
Can cause you to weep sometimes
The burden can become overwhelming and cause the listener to cry.
You know I'm always here for you
The singer offers constant support and care for the listener.
Whenever you need me, need me
The singer is always available and willing to help the listener.
Oh it's meaningless words
The artist realizes that their earlier words were empty and insincere.
Cry any time you want
It's always okay to show vulnerability and emotion.
I respect you
The artist values and cares for the listener.
Cry any time you want
It's important to allow oneself to be vulnerable and feel emotions.
I respect you
The artist continues to value and care for the listener despite any flaws or imperfections.
Cry any time you want
The listener is reassured that it's okay to show emotion and vulnerability.
Cry any time you want
The singer continues to offer support and care for the listener.
Cry any time you want
The listener is again reminded that showing vulnerability is perfectly acceptable.
I respect you
The artist reinforces their genuine concern and care for the listener.
Yeah
An affirmation or confirmation of the artist's previous statements.
Contributed by Daniel D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.