Hello Orgers. I'm a relatively new member of the board and enjoy alot of the topics. I wanted to start my first one about Sinead o'connor and Prince. If this has been covered before, I apologize. I've always wondered how an obscure track from the family's debut album (which I purchased upon it's initial release) made it's way to sinead o'connor. Did the record company or her producer discover this album track? Was sinead a Prince fan who knew of many of his undiscovered gems? From reading the boards I know many of you have alot of information on matters such as this. We all know it became a huge hit for her, and Prince wasn't really happy about it at the time (I think?) Any info you have would be appreciated.

[Edited 8/27/11 10:06am]

I doubt she found it. I vaguely remember the story that her producer is the one who brought it to her but can't remember for sure.

FunkiestOne said:

I doubt she found it. I vaguely remember the story that her producer is the one who brought it to her but can't remember for sure.

I remember her saying something like that in an interview also.

I think it was through Prince's former manager Steve Fargnoli, who managed Sinead after he'd finished working with Prince.

FunkDr said:

I think it was through Prince's former manager Steve Fargnoli, who managed Sinead after he'd finished working with Prince.

FunkDr said:

I think it was through Prince's former manager Steve Fargnoli, who managed Sinead after he'd finished working with Prince.

Yup.

Sinead on Fargnoli

http://www.hotpress.com/a...25753.html

http://www.sinead-oconnor...ss-and-men

but it was actually her original manager, Fatchna O'Ceallaigh, not Steve Fargnoli, who first introduced her to the song:

http://www.members.tripod...wihq20.txt

"Los Angeles Times
May 13, 1990, Sunday, Home Edition

Robert Hillburn

"Ironically, it wasn't Fargnoli who introduced the singer to "Nothing Compares
2 U," the old Prince song that has become a smash hit single for her. She
learned the song, which first appeared on a 1985 album by the Prince-aligned
group the Family, from former manager, O'Ceallaigh."

(Edit - inable to fix link - quote from source inserted)

[Edited 8/27/11 15:36pm]

she heard it at the barber shop

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the info.

BlackAdder7 said:

she heard it at the barber shop

lol. that's a good one BA

She was excellent, and changed an obscure ballad into a world pop classic.

Gotta love that weird girl for that.

Her passionate voice, so intimate,

a lot better arrangement too.

I wish Prince would do a studio version with passionate vocals just like Sinead did....

with a "soft" voice:

He could do it if he would, the live version with Rosie Gaines isn't good, it's actually rather awful.

Maybe he already has recorded a more intimate studio-version,

Will we ever hear what's hidden in Prince's vaults....

she discovered prince when she went to the vatican

nursev said:

I prefer Prince and Rosie instead-Sinead's behaviors outweighed the popularity she brought to that song-the lady is crazy.

What no love for the One night alone Live version??

That's a great version-although be it short.

thedance said:

She was excellent, and changed an obscure ballad into a world pop classic.

Gotta love that weird girl for that.

Her passionate voice, so intimate,

a lot better arrangement too.

I wish Prince would do a studio version with passionate vocals just like Sinead did....

with a "soft" voice:

He could do it if he would, the live version with Rosie Gaines isn't good, it's actually rather awful.

Maybe he already has recorded a more intimate studio-version,

Will we ever hear what's hidden in Prince's vaults....

What? hahaha

Prince's vrsion with Rosie is epic,amazing performance,killer vocals.

Sinead version is ";Holywod" and tame

thebanishedone said:

thedance said:

She was excellent, and changed an obscure ballad into a world pop classic.

Gotta love that weird girl for that.

Her passionate voice, so intimate,

a lot better arrangement too.

I wish Prince would do a studio version with passionate vocals just like Sinead did....

with a "soft" voice:

He could do it if he would, the live version with Rosie Gaines isn't good, it's actually rather awful.

Maybe he already has recorded a more intimate studio-version,

Will we ever hear what's hidden in Prince's vaults....

What? hahaha

Prince's vrsion with Rosie is epic,amazing performance,killer vocals.

Sinead version is ";Holywod" and tame

Prince's version is pure vegas cheese.

thedance said:

She was excellent, and changed an obscure ballad into a world pop classic.

Gotta love that weird girl for that.

Her passionate voice, so intimate,

a lot better arrangement too.

I wish Prince would do a studio version with passionate vocals just like Sinead did....

with a "soft" voice:

He could do it if he would, the live version with Rosie Gaines isn't good, it's actually rather awful.

Maybe he already has recorded a more intimate studio-version,

Will we ever hear what's hidden in Prince's vaults....

Prince has never sang it with emotion, nor did The Family. The song would have become a hit for either of them if

1. They changed the arrangement

2. Actually gave emotion in that song

The Family's version of this song is a snoozefest.Sinead and her producers did a good job transforming this song.

SoulAlive said:

The Family's version of this song is a snoozefest.Sinead and her producers did a good job transforming this song.

It's a sentimental favorite for me, so I wouldn't call The Family's version a snoozefest, but I do know what you mean. The repetitious "ho-ho-ho-ho-ho hos" just spotlight some of the song's less stellar lyrics. Sinead polished that song up and made it really shine.

I hate when Prince does it. He schmaltzes it up like nobody's business.

I always felt like Rosie Gains was put on the live version as a way of saying, here is a woman with a voice than can one up you. After P had the falling out with Sinead. At the end of the day I prefer Sinead's version out of all of them.

^ I agree I think Sinead captured the raw emotion of the song best, although the live version is quite cool too, its not as moving.

Meloh9 i remember u from somewhere, did you used to be on the PPML?

[Edited 8/28/11 13:12pm]

Prince´s Nude Tour version of that song is amazing....just him on the piano, no duet, no horns, just a killer performance. Beats ANY other version, IMO, including any other version that Prince did before or after.

My favorite version is the rendition he gave in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the River Plate Stadium.

Thanks for the links Langebleu...in hindsight, I realize more and more how important Steve Fargnoli was for Prince´s career. Too bad they ended up on bad terms.

KoolEaze said:

Prince´s Nude Tour version of that song is amazing....just him on the piano, no duet, no horns, just a killer performance. Beats ANY other version, IMO, including any other version that Prince did before or after.

My favorite version is the rendition he gave in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the River Plate Stadium.

Thanks for the links Langebleu...in hindsight, I realize more and more how important Steve Fargnoli was for Prince´s career. Too bad they ended up on bad terms.

I love the version on One Nite Alone Live, the saxophone is amazing, And when he does the chorus I almost cry sometimes. The version with Rosie is probably his worst 90's song

Hey Everyone. It's cool to see all the different opinions on my first blog. Since a lot of people are saying which version they like best, I figured I'd weigh in. I heard the family's version first. In those days I had every prince associated artist albums ("the time, the family, brown Mark, wendy and lisa etc). In addition to supporting Prince, I really thought screams of passion was a jam. When I heard the album I also enjoyed"river runs dry and high fashion". Nothing compares 2 U didnt really do much for me. When I heard Sinead's version I remember thinking, is that that song from the Family. I have to admit I almost didnt recognize it. I really think Sinead and her producer did a great job of bringing emotion to the song. The original just didnt have it. While I enjoyed a couple of Prince's versions, I would have to say ultimately I like the Sinead version the best.

thebanishedone said:

thedance said:

She was excellent, and changed an obscure ballad into a world pop classic.

Gotta love that weird girl for that.

Her passionate voice, so intimate,

a lot better arrangement too.

I wish Prince would do a studio version with passionate vocals just like Sinead did....

with a "soft" voice:

He could do it if he would, the live version with Rosie Gaines isn't good, it's actually rather awful.

Maybe he already has recorded a more intimate studio-version,

Will we ever hear what's hidden in Prince's vaults....

What? hahaha

Prince's vrsion with Rosie is epic,amazing performance,killer vocals.

Sinead version is ";Holywod" and tame

Well Said

mzsadii said:

thebanishedone said:

What? hahaha

Prince's vrsion with Rosie is epic,amazing performance,killer vocals.

Sinead version is ";Holywod" and tame

Well Said

thank you

please explain what is holywod??

I am danish/ not english..... if it's Hollywood, then I still have no clue what you mean.

imo Sinead's version is the only really great version, I am never getting tired of that.

actually I prefer the original Family version.....that with River Run Dry are my favs in the 'sad song' department

thedance said: