IMO, Sinead O'connor's version exceeds Prince's (granted, I haven't heard The Family's rendition) and is probably the only Prince cover that does so.

Her song sounds so somber and dark and fits perfectly with the lyrics. Plus, I don't think it works as well as a duet. I'd love Prince to do a version that sounds more like Sinead's (which I know won't happen).

Does anybody else prefer Sinead's song?

I love Sineads version, but the duet between Prince and Rosie just blows me away!

I think hers is better. I like the way she puts the emphasis on the "2" instead of the "U" like the Prince version. She runs those words together and I always liked that better. But who am I? That said, didn't she get upset when Prince started getting so much credit for that song?

Of the three versions - Prince's, Sinead's and the one by The Family, by far the best version is from The Family, because it captures a moment in much the same way that The Cross does on Sign Of the Times.

sineads is clearly the best ,

sinead's is way out there ahead of prince's.

i'd put the family's version in between the two; not too keen on P's. It seems to lack emotion.

Y'all have got to be kidding about Sinead's being better.

Whoops. Sorry. What I mean is.....

I really prefer the live duet verison with Rosie Gaines the best!!!

Fryd said:

Yep, I feel the same way. Sinead did a great job and her video was pretty good too, but Prince and Rosie nailed it. Their version blows me away too.

Dugen said:

You hit the nail on the head.

Fryd said:

Yeah me too ,Rosie beats Sineads ass when she sings

Annastesia22 said:

agreed. her version is soo dark, the delivery is more plain/sad than Prince and Rosie but their vocals are rooted with so much emotion and soul, i feel like both are crying internally singing the song.

But with that said da 2 versions are personal/accessable on all levels.

poetbear68 said:

KABOOOOOM! I agree! St. Paul's rendition and the haunting orchestration behind it is the best of the 3.

i just recently noticed the musical arrangments for Sinead's version of "Nothing Compares 2 U" is very similiar to wendy and lisa's "Dont Try To Tell Me".

and sinead's version hands down.....then the family....prince and rosie's version is rot.

Sinaed's versions lacks soul and depth. The lady isn't comfortable in her own skin. How the hell can express the longing and desperation this song portrays?

The Family version is way ahead of Sinaed's!
Do I have to assume y'all heard her version? Otherwise you should be on the Sinaed website.

Rev said:

you've just won the silliest post of the day award..

1) we all have the right to our own opinion....just because you dont feel the soul and depth in sinead's version doesnt mean others wont...

and

2) why should we be on sineads site again? because we happen to prefer one of her songs? does it upset you that we all enjoy another artist' rendition? or are you just being a punk to be a punk because this how you expect the org to be?

I gotta go with Sinead, her version just had more emotion in it.
The Family's original is pretty good too. I'm not so keen on Prince's version
with Rosie though, IMO the song doesn't really work as a duet.

sinead's version is the best one, imo.

sosgemini said:

True thing about the arrangements... and a beautiful song at that... makes me wanna cry everytime I hear it... and I guess that's exactly what Prince and Rosie's version is missing, compared to Sinnead's and The Family's... Although it's a beautiful, full, soulfull arrangement with fantastic harmonious voice and instrumentation, it lacks that personal,intense pure sadness that makes the other two versions stand out. P's arrangement kinda overblows that emotion, if you feel me?

sosgemini said:

This happens to be a long standing conversation with a Sinaed fan friend of mine. So I maybe I came at it from the wrong angle. It's my opinion, it's not silly. I'm too old to be a punk anymore.
Very rarely, do hardcore fans here an original from an artist they love and prefer another artist rendition. It seemed quite that the majority of people responding felt this. Hence the comment - sinaed's site. I wanted to stay away from calling out newbies, whom had heard the Sinaed version first.

I don't mind being silly.

interesting observation...i know i heard the family version first...but, i dont know...maybe sinead is an exception to the rule because her song just kills me everytime i see it...and the video? oh my..tears...tears rolling down the sides of my face....

Rev said:

I guess I like the stripped down version by The Family. Not overproduced, Claire's strings.....Paul's cool vocals and Susannah's backing vox..shit had feeling.

Soulsista said:

Me, too! ABSOLUTELY!!

I like all 3 versions.

xpertluva said:

I prefer Prince & Rosie's version (the subjective views of a Prince fan )

But I have to say Sinead's version does provoke a more emotive listening session and you make a good point in that the song is more befitting in a solo format, but it must be done justice by delivering the mood of the lyrics (as Sinead did so well ).

BorisFishpaw said:

I have to go with Sinead's version too.

The raw emotion coveyed in her vocal exposes the lack of sincerity of St.Paul's rendition by comparison, and Prince's duet with Rosie Gaines has never worked for me. I guess once you've heard Sinead's cover version you end up spoilt and biased towards it.

The promo clip was also one of the best ever shot. I was moved by Sinead's account of how she thought of her deceased mother when they shot the award winning video to that song, and the fact that the tears featured in it were totally heartfelt and spontaneous (no onions were involved in the making of it).

The makers had originally intended to use more outdoor shots, but in the end decided to keep it simple. The end result was highly dramatic.


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[Edited 4/28/05 4:47am]

meow85 said:

i concur with your opinion for its deep sense of wisdom!

I love the live version that he does on the ONA cd

I like P's and Rosie's version but it would have been better if P sang it on his own.

The version performed by the Family did by far have the best arrangement (thanks, Clare Fischer), a shame that St. Paul dude, a very mediocre singer, ruined it....Prince should have sung this track himselve (with the arrangement used on the Family-album, and with Susannah on background vocals)...

Maybe he even should have put that version on the Parade album...it would fit on it and would be one of the melodramatic highlights