A very very good song in all aspects. Sinead put it on the map for me & hers was excellent at the time of it's release. In 1993 I remember waiting for the train & as it approached I heard Prince do a duet with Rosie that had so much soul in it that if left me floored & wanting to cry as I could not believe of all things that it was live. As years went pass & access to boots, the version from the 1990 Nude tour rehearsal was another that stood out. Also the Ellen show version was excellent as well. Rave Un2 the Year 2000 was another version that has a place in my heart as well........

Sinead > The Family > Prince & Rosie (for now)

Gotta hear that 1990 Nude rehearsal version though.

I'd like to hear Prince play this with just vocals and piano. His version is too Vegas for me - a bit like American Idol where everybody goes apeshit as soon as the singer screams to show they've got soul. The soul is in the subtlety and resonance of the song.

I don't get all the hatred for the Family version.

To me it's the best, period.

The arrangement is clearly how Prince wanted it (he played it).

THe stripped down quality combined with Clare Fischer's strings is quite unique sounding. Eric's sax is perfection as always.

And----I feel like people are going to freak out this--- Paul's voice is actually better than Prince's. I'm talking purely in terms of vocal quality. Paul has a deep, resonant tone to his voice. Prince is a great singer in that he knows how to use his instrument well But if you just judge his voice on the tone and resonance of his normal singing voice it's actually pretty average.

Sinead's version is utterly annoying to me. Her arrangement is too odd and her whiny voice is irritating.

GaryMF said:

I don't get all the hatred for the Family version.

To me it's the best, period.

The arrangement is clearly how Prince wanted it (he played it).

THe stripped down quality combined with Clare Fischer's strings is quite unique sounding. Eric's sax is perfection as always.

And----I feel like people are going to freak out this--- Paul's voice is actually better than Prince's. I'm talking purely in terms of vocal quality. Paul has a deep, resonant tone to his voice. Prince is a great singer in that he knows how to use his instrument well But if you just judge his voice on the tone and resonance of his normal singing voice it's actually pretty average.

Sinead's version is utterly annoying to me. Her arrangement is too odd and her whiny voice is irritating.

I just heard it a few hours ago and I agree. I love his tone in it.

me either

the song still gives me good goosies.. but it's not good live. prince makes a mockery of it when he's fooling about with shelbey.

sineads version was amazing, she did it justice! prince should not have locked her in a cupboard, the shame of him!

GaryMF said:

Sinead's version is utterly annoying to me. Her arrangement is too odd and her whiny voice is irritating.

???

Prince's studio arrangement seems to be the odd one.

nursev said:

Prince's version with Rosie is just beautiful.

Prince may have written the song, but Sinead's version is timesless and the definitive version. People may not like Sinead, but give credit where it's due. Her vocals and the haunting emotion that she brought to that song was nothing short of incredible. No one else could have sang that song the way Sinead did. I don't believe the song would have been as big a hit if Prince had sang it.

[Edited 6/19/11 8:49am]

thedance said:

I have never liked it either, the Prince/ Rosie live version is not that good,

It is missing the passion from the Sinead version of this song.

The Family's original, this is un-listenable for me, terrible, those strings oh dear.......

Sinead's version is fantastic, she made it a classic.

Prince should record a solo version in the studio, singing the way Sinead did.

with a lot of passion.

Maybe he already did, but refused to release it - maybe he wouldn't like his version to be compared 2 what Sinead did to this song.

(I hope this makes sense )

This kills me. I've been reading this in posts of those who love the Sinead version better. Let's not forget that the melody is Prince's and Sinead is singing the song the way Prince wrote it. The only difference between their versions is their voices. Just like the first time I heard "Manic Monday, I knew Prince wrote "NCTU" when I first heard Sinead's version. It sounds exactly like him.

dseann said:

thedance said:

I have never liked it either, the Prince/ Rosie live version is not that good,

It is missing the passion from the Sinead version of this song.

The Family's original, this is un-listenable for me, terrible, those strings oh dear.......

Sinead's version is fantastic, she made it a classic.

Prince should record a solo version in the studio, singing the way Sinead did.

with a lot of passion.

Maybe he already did, but refused to release it - maybe he wouldn't like his version to be compared 2 what Sinead did to this song.

(I hope this makes sense )

This kills me. I've been reading this in posts of those who love the Sinead version better. Let's not forget that the melody is Prince's and Sinead is singing the song the way Prince wrote it. The only difference between their versions is their voices. Just like the first time I heard "Manic Monday, I knew Prince wrote "NCTU" when I first heard Sinead's version. It sounds exactly like him.

On both Nothing Compares" and "Manic Monday", the more conventionally produced pop production and rhythm is what is really different and helps to carry and make the melodies more engaging. Well on Manic Monday, the bridge is raised in note rather than the low monotone in Prince's version, and the odd "Time" part is sung in a more melodious way.

Cinnamon234 said:

Prince may have written the song, but Sinead's version is timesless and the definitive version. People may not like Sinead, but give credit where it's due. Her vocals and the haunting emotion that she brought to that song was nothing short of incredible. No one else could have sang that song the way Sinead did. I don't believe the song would have been as big a hit if Prince had sang it.

[Edited 6/19/11 8:49am]

I actually think her video did it for me. When I saw it, I didn't cry, I just stared like "Wow..." had no idea Prince wrote it - well I was six then - until three years later.

I saw it first on a screen on HMV in Dublin.

I was shocked that such a lacklustre song on The Family album had become so powerful and moving.

I love every version of Nothing Compares 2U that i've ever heard.

Timmy84 said:

GaryMF said:

I don't get all the hatred for the Family version.

To me it's the best, period.

The arrangement is clearly how Prince wanted it (he played it).

THe stripped down quality combined with Clare Fischer's strings is quite unique sounding. Eric's sax is perfection as always.

And----I feel like people are going to freak out this--- Paul's voice is actually better than Prince's. I'm talking purely in terms of vocal quality. Paul has a deep, resonant tone to his voice. Prince is a great singer in that he knows how to use his instrument well But if you just judge his voice on the tone and resonance of his normal singing voice it's actually pretty average.

Sinead's version is utterly annoying to me. Her arrangement is too odd and her whiny voice is irritating.

I just heard it a few hours ago and I agree. I love his tone in it.

Personally I just find him to sound very whiney and annoying compared to Prince. And don't get me wrong, Prince can sometimes sound extremely whiney and like a spoiled little girl himself too. The album as a whole is ok though, and I'm pretty sure the Prince vocals on the same instrumental version, not a circulating bootleg, is much better than both Pauls version and when he himself is singing on the "wedding singer version".

ConsciousContact said:

Prince and Mary J Blige took it to another level in LA.

Cinnamon234 said:

Prince may have written the song, but Sinead's version is timesless and the definitive version. People may not like Sinead, but give credit where it's due. Her vocals and the haunting emotion that she brought to that song was nothing short of incredible. No one else could have sang that song the way Sinead did. I don't believe the song would have been as big a hit if Prince had sang it.

[Edited 6/19/11 8:49am]

Tha'ts your opinion. Her version is like nails on a chalkboard to me.

Her voice, the "haunting" quality, the music..... I find grating.

The original version on the Family album is the best on all fronts to my ears.

The use of the strings is very stirring and I love the quiet ending with Paul and Susannah desending down that unusual chord progression to bring the song it it's peaceful end, smoothly sliding into DESIRE.

vitriol said:

Well, many of The Family demos sung by Prince are circulating but his original NC2U is not.

I'm sure is much superior to St.Paul's versions (demo and official) and ABSOLUTELY SUPERIOR to Prince's live version with Rosie.

Hence it's NOT circulating.

NC2U, the original is out there... you just have to know where to look. I have mine

NouveauDance said:

Yeah the live version is so cheesy, sounds like a wedding singer version.

I would much rather hear Adam Sandler sing it... or perhaps George from the Wedding Singer? It would sound better... either way, when I hear it, I have the same reaction as the people at the Wedding Singer when George starting singing.

ufoclub said:

dseann said:

This kills me. I've been reading this in posts of those who love the Sinead version better. Let's not forget that the melody is Prince's and Sinead is singing the song the way Prince wrote it. The only difference between their versions is their voices. Just like the first time I heard "Manic Monday, I knew Prince wrote "NCTU" when I first heard Sinead's version. It sounds exactly like him.

On both Nothing Compares" and "Manic Monday", the more conventionally produced pop production and rhythm is what is really different and helps to carry and make the melodies more engaging. Well on Manic Monday, the bridge is raised in note rather than the low monotone in Prince's version, and the odd "Time" part is sung in a more melodious way.

Even if our opinions differ, I love the fact that I can depend on you for intellegent dialogue.

Sinead´s version is pefect for a hit on the end of the 80´s and start of the 90´s, it has a modern sound and an alternative essence. But its over dramatic and kinda chessy and the video sucks, the girl cried to pretend she is deep. Prince version is just more traditional and safe. it´s OK. Family version is the winner.

The 1st time I have heard that song, I knew and felt it was Prince's!!

Sinead has got her own style, she's put her beautiful voice on the music and made this song being known, but whenever I hear the Master's voice remastering always the song, waouh, I reach the sky!!

I liked much more with Rosie, because live and the song still lives, in the way that Prince always renew the melody, the lyrics!

Last night He sang it with Shelby, well well, marvellous, It was High, it was Absolutely kind of a new song..

I am always touched by the way Prince performs that one live, as for Purple Rain, I get emotionnal, everytime !!

Sinead's version is so much more sincere.

NouveauDance said:

Yeah the live version is so cheesy, sounds like a wedding singer version.

No need for me to answer this thread when NouveauDance already said it.

Cheesy is a funny word...!!

If u aren't interested in this "thread" why do U even answer, ??ok you are free.."free to change your mind, free to go most anywhere anytime..be glad" lol;-)