The Family because their version was the first time I ever heard the song, so I was already very used to it. When Sinead later covered it, I missed the ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho

Prince. Every version of heard him perform he bring the right emotion to the song...I just love his voice.

But I really respect how Sinead made the song completely her own and she did a fantastic job. That is really what a cover should be in my view.

I love the strings on the original and tribute but The Family doesn't bring the same feel of emotion that Prince and Sinead do...and that is the "special ingrediant" to making that song great.

sexton said:

The Family's version is the only song on their album I don't like. It sounds overwrought and disjointed to me.

Prince's version is similar so I don't care much for that one either.

Sinead streamlined it and actually made the song listenable. I love her cover. Five stars.

Agreed.

wow... never thought opinions on this song were like this. To me, I would love to hear Prince's original, but I think St Paul recorded over the vocal Prince provided, so that version is probably lost. Still, the family version is the best this far. Sinead's version always seemed so wrong. How she has her mother planting flowers in her garden.. Felt like she never understood the song.

Prince's version was even worse, turning the song into an overproduced mess. I understand he wanted to reclaim the song, he just didn't. I never heard a version afterwards that could compare with the original.

However, the fdeluxe version is actually beautiful. It's up there with the original.

Of course, imho.

Still.. the song isn't that special, nice but not great. It's no High Fashion or Mutiny.

^^ I rate Nothing Compares 2 U as one his best songs and one of his few big hits that is actually demonstrative of his true talent. The lyrics to this song are pure poetry.

All the flowers that you planted, baby
In your back yard
All died when you went away

Prince and Rosie's

Sinead...the others don't come close.

ufoclub said:

Sinead owned it. The beat and her vocal skipping around it made the hook.

Absolutely. TBH Sinead MADE the song with her vocal phrasing and emotion. The Prince & Rosie version makes the song sound mediocre. And The Family? Paul has a weak voice IMO. Madonna? The worst possible.

1. Prince & Rosie

2. Chris Cornell

3. Sinead

damn some people got a hard on for rosie, i always thought she was great. I don't understand how people can love wendy and lisa, flat singing and all, and hate rosie.

Sinead. She turned it into a classic with her vocal performance.

Prince's own live versions were good too though. Nice "soul music" rendition of it.

The Family version... eh, it almost sounds like the drum tracks were muted at the last minute to make the thing sound artsy. Something's a bit off about it in any case.

novabrkr said:

Sinead. She turned it into a classic with her vocal performance.

Prince's own live versions were good too though. Nice "soul music" rendition of it.

The Family version... eh, it almost sounds like the drum tracks were muted at the last minute to make the thing sound artsy. Something's a bit off about it in any case.

I agree on The Family's version. Just never worked for me and I can't properly explain what I don't like about it. I did like the recent version they did a few weeks ago MUCH better than the original, for whatever reason.

Sinead and The Family for me. Sinead's sounds like a classic pop song (which it is), the Family's is a supremely odd original which I like. Prince & Rosie's overwrought soul version just annoys me. I find it very bland and by the numbers, almost like something off American Idol or the Voice. That's just me though

limoncello said:

novabrkr said:

Sinead. She turned it into a classic with her vocal performance.

Prince's own live versions were good too though. Nice "soul music" rendition of it.

The Family version... eh, it almost sounds like the drum tracks were muted at the last minute to make the thing sound artsy. Something's a bit off about it in any case.

I agree on The Family's version. Just never worked for me and I can't properly explain what I don't like about it. I did like the recent version they did a few weeks ago MUCH better than the original, for whatever reason.

Of all the versions using the original arrangement, the recent fDeluxe Prince tribute is the one I like the most.

I always loved the Sinnead version growing up, but now, whenever I hear Prince & Rosie sing it...I get legit full-blown goosebumps, if not some tears as well :'(

And, Madonna? *Pffft* Don't get me started.