What's your favourite version of "Nothing Compares 2 U"?

The Family, Sinead O'Connor, or Prince? (Or another version entirely, that I haven't heard of?)

The Family's version doesn't do much for me, but Sinead's still sends a tingle down the spine, even though it's overplayed now.

Lately, though, Prince's live version (especially at Koko) takes the lead. It's interesting that his phrasing is mimicking Sinead's more and more, as if he's just decided "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" (given that most of the audience sing it Sinead's way, anyway).

No comparison! Prince's wins, hands down!

Sinead O'Connor was the best and if Prince would sing it like this it would be as good as hers or even better ...but since he wants it to be even better (way to much energie)than hers and screaming too much which takes some of the sadness out of it (for me at least) it comes across as more like a gospel song than a sad ballad ...all he has to do is sing it in his Sometines it Snows in April voice and and then i would like it .

I quite like the energy and emotion in the version in the Hits Double CD collection - Live with Rosie Gaines... A nicely sung duet - I could listen 2 again and again (there is joy in repetition) and sing along 2 it...Especially if i'm feelin' blu!

i Love the way Prince sings "Nothing Compares TO U"
[Edited 8/2/07 7:11am]

The Family! I just love there version. Yeah it was nice 4 Prince 2 do it once that slut took it 4 a ride on the charts. But I'll allways love the origianal.

Y,Prince's version is the best,of course!

Quinn319 said:

"that slut"? Bloody hell...

The orignal by the family is always the best. I'm guessing there is an original with P on vocal. Thats the one I want to hear.

My favorite is the version from the Hits. I love the way P sings "Its been so lonely without u here". And Rosie well Rosie just kills it as usual...

adorable2 said:

Nude rehearsal !

No wailing Rosie

Dewrede said:

Ha! u asshole...

Stereophonics' version from a compilation album (Warchild: 1 Love). I got it from the now defunct allofmp3. iTunes Music Store doesn't have it, but they have a ton of other versions (which weren't there a year ago when I looked).

Side note: Anyplace I can getThe Family's version cheap? Possible compilation album? ebay cd album copies are too expensive and I don't have a tape or wrecka player.

Prince I think Sinead sounds likke she's crying not singing.

adorable2 said:

You know what, I do prefer the backing track of the Sinead version. Prince singing over that would probably be the ultimate version.

sineads

Sinead's version is still the best IMO, understated and genuinely emotional.
Prince's released version on The Hits is way too over the top and 'vegas-y'
for my liking. It loses all the sadness of the original. Plus it REALLY doesn't
work as a duet, giving it the duet treatment just robs it of it's meaning. The
Family's original version is very good however, but I think Sinead just tops
it as the definitive version.

I don't know why Prince didn't just release his own studio vocal version,
rather than the live one with Rosie (maybe he thought his guide vocals
weren't up to scratch or something). As a mix of his original take, structured
a bit more like Sinead's, would probably be the most definitive. He's done
some great live versions over the years, particularly the ones from the Nude
tour.

Sinead owned this bitch, straight up.

I think the live version with P and Rosie is dope too.

Lets not fuck about here, people are always inclined to say the original is best, but Sinead breathed something entirely different into that song, and Prince heard it too, because the version from the Nude tour is the closest hes done it to her version, and that was the same year. Over the years he's performed many versions, many of which Ive hated, but im quite liking the passion of the current version he's doing, and if the sax solo is right it can be a really powerful performance.

My all time favourite version i own is from a boot of A Nude tour concert recorded at Wembley arena. Its without question the most impassioned vocals he's ever delivered, and the Do Me Baby / Aint No Way that preceed it are stunning also. I just wish I had it in higher quality, as its quite poor.

I would kill for the original demo with P on vocals though. I think Claire Fischers strings on the Family version are so strange, i cant decide whether i love or hate them.