I was one of those folks who was blown away by Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” back in 1990. I rushed to buy her music CD, I do not want what I haven’t got, and listened to it constantly.
Then, while I watching Sinead O’Connor on Saturday Night Live in 1992, Sinead tore a photograph of Pope John Paul II into pieces (in the book we find out that the photo once hung in her mother’s living room). After all the gasps from the audience, Sinead announced: “Fight the real enemy!”
Of course, this incident had consequences: Sinead O’Connor was banned, boycotted, had her CDs destroyed publicly, and was attacked in the Press as a communist whacko.
Sinead O’Connor continued to tour, continued to write songs, continued to record. I bought her CDs and marveled at her wonderful voice and her songwriter talent for years. Now, in Rememberings, we learn of her abuse as a child. Sinead was always in trouble, always shaking things up. We learn about why she shaved her head (Star Trek!) and why she converted to Islam. We find out the details of her suicide attempt and her strategies for survival. Love her or hate her, Sinead O’Connor is a force to be reckoned with. GRADE: A (both book and CD)
TRACKLIST:
| 1. | “Feel So Different” | 6:47 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2. | “I Am Stretched on Your Grave“ | Anonymous Philip King | 5:33 |
| 3. | “Three Babies“ | 4:47 | |
| 4. | “The Emperor’s New Clothes“ | 5:16 | |
| 5. | “Black Boys on Mopeds“ | 3:53 | |
| 6. | “Nothing Compares 2 U“ | Prince | 5:10 |
| 7. | “Jump in the River” | O’Connor Marco Pirroni | 4:12 |
| 8. | “You Cause as Much Sorrow” | 5:04 | |
| 9. | “The Last Day of Our Acquaintance” | 4:40 | |
| 10. | “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got” | 5:47 |
That was an excellent CD. I was not particularly offended by her tearing up the picture of the pope, but than I’m not Catholic. I thought it a bit silly at the time. I might read her book. I’m interested why any woman in her right mind would ever convert to Islam.
Steve, you’re right about I DO NOT WANT WHAT I HAVEN’T GOT being excellent. The stunt on SNL cost Sinead O’Connor Big Time in the short run with cancelled concerts and reduced CD sales. But, in the long-run O’Connor has gained a loyal following of fans.
I never much cared about O’Connor one way or the other, although I do remember the song and the SNL picture incident which I always assumed, if I thought about it at all, was a publicity stunt gone wrong. Didn’t know (or care) that she’d converted to Islam until long after this.
Michael, at the time, the SNL incident was incendiary. Catholics were outraged. I remember priests protesting O’Connor’s actions. Then later, O’Connor converted to Islam in reaction to the systemic child abuse in the Catholic Church.
Not a fan. There could have been better ways for her to address systematic abuse than to tear up a picture. And I’ve never liked her singing much.
Deb, Sinead O’Connor has been rebellious all of her Life. Her record company tried to “glam” Sinead up, but she responded by shaving her head and wearing combat boots.
Certainly a fan of that song but haven’t really followed her career.
Patti, Sinead O’Connor became a pariah in the U.S. after the SNL incident, but she remained popular in Europe.
She converted to Islam? Who knew? (ANd yes, who cares? Not me.)
Michael’s comments pretty much echo my own thoughts.
Jeff, Sinead O’Connor had a rough childhood which resulted in the behaviors she demonstrated later in Life.
I can’t stand Sinead O’Connor – not because of the SNL incident.
Her music just doesn’t do it for me.
I’ll pass on this one all the way around.
Beth, I think Sinead O’Connor is an acquired taste.
Absolutely no interest in her or her music!
Bob, somehow I’m not surprised by this.