Prince & Rosie? Sinead? The Family? Madonna (lol)?

I am ashamed to admit, I only heard the original version by The Family after Prince's passing, and initially I disliked it, as it was so different to all the other versions. But since then, I've been converted to their version. I've always loved Prince's version with Rosie, but always wondered why he never released a recorded studio version.

As for Sinead's, I know I'm probably in the minority on this one, but I think it lacks the bite of The Family's and Prince's.

Do you mean official releases or tributes since?

Official wise for me - It is Sinead

Tribute - Chris Stapleton and I am not sure if anyone has seen it but I watched Kate Hudson sing this at Goldie Hawn's charity gig. It looked pretty good.

Prince & Rosie

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.

Confession time: I never liked this song. I didn't like it when I first heard it via The Family and I couldn't stand it when Sinead covered it and made it a hit. I only warmed to it once I heard Prince's version and even then, it's not a favorite from him. It's just too sorrowful to me and not in the way that I enjoy.

So, it's Prince & Rosie's version for me.

bettybop said:

Confession time: I never liked this song. I didn't like it when I first heard it via The Family and I couldn't stand it when Sinead covered it and made it a hit. I only warmed to it once I heard Prince's version and even then, it's not a favorite from him. It's just too sorrowful to me and not in the way that I enjoy.

So, it's Prince & Rosie's version for me.

I was afraid to say it, but I have never liked this song either mostly because of the Sinead version. I just don't like the tone of it, I don't know. For sure Prince & Rosie's version is far better.

Prince and Rosie, or Prince alone. Also, there are a couple of versions with Prince and Mary J Blige that sound pretty good.

No contest.

Sinead O'Connor!

luv4u said:

Prince & Rosie

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.

I agree. Sinead O'Connors version is hauntingly beautiful. Her vocals sound so lonely and empty and along with the video......its like a piece of art.

She is a bit of a loose cannon i know, lol.....but that song gets me everytime i hear it, its just so sad, which is why i love it

[Edited 6/11/16 13:07pm]

luv4u said:

Prince & Rosie

that's an easy one... Sinead nailed it. I almost always enjoy original versions better than cover versions, but Sinead's version just moves while every other version I always skip.

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definately the family version. it was a little quirky which made it stand out.

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then a couple of years later i saw that bald, ugly head warbling out that song on the tv. i wanted to put my foot through the screen. naturally the masses lapped it up because she turned it into a radio friendly version. after the initial listening i don't think i've ever heard her version for longer than 20 seconds since. i couldn't change the station fast enough.

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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 thought you were Irish??????

1. I like the Family version cause it sounds great and I assume its how it was intended to sound
2. I do like Sinead's take, there is a reason its the song she is known for, the Bel Canto sound thing works and the emphasis on different words is cool for a change
3. Prince ( I don't like the duet idea so much so no Rosie on this one despite loving Rosie)
4. Chris Cornell - his version shows (like with some of the other Prince covers that work ) the versatility of the songs frame.

Who are we kidding?

This is THE version of the song!

i dont' know, i never considered it one of my fave prince songs, even though it was a monster hit. i'd probably say the version P did with Rosie.

avajane said:

Sinead's version and out of the tributes, I like the Dixie Chicks' performance.

ditto. no contest,imo.

IMO Prince does it best.

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