Always the original. OK, I know that he sang over Prince's guide vocal, but Paul Peterson owns that song for me. Susannah complements him nicely on backing vocals. What's more, we have the sublime Fischer strings and Eric's sax. A simply superb slice of soul.

Sinead did a great job with the cover. The drums and piano help to give the song a stronger base. I like some of her phrasing, but her vocals sound too emotionally distant. To me, she sounds like she's just performing, not really feeling it. Still, I think it should be considered a pop masterpiece.

I don't think Prince ever managed to successfully reclaim it. I get the feeling he's trying too hard with both the vocals and instrumentation. For him, it was always a live performance, but I think that means the song loses something of its intimacy. When all is said and done though, Nothing Compares 2 U is Prince's song; it's his versions that I listen to the most.

Double Post

[Edited 6/11/16 22:15pm]

Prince and Rosie ...So beautiful. I would have loved it if they had added Clare Fisher's string arrangements to it that he did for the Family. The track is already heaven, but with those strings added??... Yes ma'am!

Sinead O' Connor did it best.

Anyone who argues otherwise is not being honest.

kpowers said:

I always really enjoyed the version from The Hits/The B-Sides, but my all-time favourite version has to be the version from One Night Alone... Live. Terrific stuff. Gotta love some Rosie.

computerblue77 said:

Sinead O' Connor did it best.

Anyone who argues otherwise is not being honest.

I respect your opinion, but your comment about honesty isn't fair. It's always been The Family for me. The recent tribute Paul Peterson and Eric Leeds put out there, really brought home how much the song really belongs to them.

goddamn, i love claire fischer, how anyone could say his arrangements were a detraction is beyond me, must be plain closed minded.

sinead by a landslide

EmmaMcG said:

kpowers said:

I thought you were Irish??????

I am. But I still think Sinead O'Connor is a Grade A c*nt.

I will be honest and say I never liked Sinead's version. I far prefer any version without her.

[Edited 6/12/16 1:20am]

Prince's Nude tour version is my fave. I never liked Sinead's version, the music and background singers are lightweight and she makes it sound like any old standard ballad. Prince gripped it by the throat and wrung passion out of it - sorry but her video does nothing for me, though I know a lot of people love it.

For me, the original is always best. So got used to hearing Sinead sing it. But he did a pretty good job as well. Musically, a simple song, but the lyrics are special.

Sineads version tbh.

Prince's version on the Hits/B-sides has too much Rosie for me.

I'm hoping to hear a Prince only studio version once.

Prince and Rosie or Prince alone

Prince´s version during the Nude tour, but in particular the one version he played in Argentina at the River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires.

Just him on the piano, no duet, just him and his piano.

No offence to Rosie Gaines but I never liked the duet versions of this song.

Sinead

its killer.. it probably loses some impact at this point b/c it has been played to death and her shenanigans have been overshadowing her artistry..

but that song was perfect.

airth said:

itsjustaroundthecorner said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X93LxRfH93k

Stereophonics did my favorite version of the song.

I hate the original version by the Family. Those verbalized "Oh Oh Oh Ohs" are deadly and ruin the entire song for me.


Prince & Rosie is my favorite, but Sinead probably had the definitive version, if I'm honest.

EmmaMcG said:

I really like the version from the One Nite Alone live album. I'd say that's my favourite version of the song. I like the one from the hits/b sides album too, even though I don't normally like Rosie Gaines. The Family is quite good too. BUT I absolutely hate the Sinead O'Connor version. I can't stand that woman's voice.

I agree

kpowers said:

EmmaMcG said:

kpowers said:

I agree

I'm a sucker for the sax

I like Prince's vocals on it

Only Prince and Rosie, nothing can compare 2 them.

kpowers said:

skipthecharades said:

Sineads version tbh.

Prince's version on the Hits/B-sides has too much Rosie for me.

I'm hoping to hear a Prince only studio version once.

Check out the version that I mentioned above.

Just Prince on the piano, no Rosie, no gimmicks, no band.

Just him singing it from his heart.

I understand why people prefer Sinead´s version but I never liked it and I love Prince´s own version. Too bad that his renditions of that song got more and more bloated as time went by.

But that rendition he gave in Buenos Aires was the best I´ve ever heard.