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Nothing Compares 2 U

April 12, 2024

Not to be confused with Nothin' (That Compares 2 U).

"Nothing Compares 2 U" is a song written by the American musician Prince for his band the Family. It first appeared on their only album, The Family (1985). Its lyrics express the feelings of longing expressed by an abandoned lover.

"Nothing Compares 2 U"
Single by Sinéad O'Connor
from the album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
B-side"Jump in the River"
Released8 January 1990[1]
StudioS.T.S (Dublin, Ireland)
Genre
Length5:10
LabelChrysalis
Songwriter(s)Prince
Producer(s)
Sinéad O'Connor singles chronology
"Jump in the River"
(1988) 		"Nothing Compares 2 U"
(1990) 		"The Emperor's New Clothes"
(1990)
Music video
"Nothing Compares 2 U" on YouTube
Sample of "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinéad O'Connor
Problems playing this file? See media help.

The Irish singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor recorded a version for her second studio album, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got (1990), co-produced with Nellee Hooper. It was released as the album's second single in early 1990 and became a worldwide hit. Its music video, directed by John Maybury, received heavy rotation on MTV. In December 1990, Billboard named "Nothing Compares 2 U" the "#1 World Single" of 1990 at its first Billboard Music Awards.[4]

In 1993, Prince released a live version of "Nothing Compares 2 U", with Rosie Gaines on guest vocals, on his compilation album The Hits/The B-Sides. His 1984 demo was released as a single in 2018 and included on the 2019 compilation Originals.

Background edit

"Nothing Compares 2 U" was written by the American musician Prince, who recorded a demo in 1984. In 1985, Prince's funk band the Family released their sole studio album, The Family, including "Nothing Compares 2 U". It was not released as a single and received little recognition. Prince's demo was released in 2018.[5]

Recording edit

The Irish singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor recorded a version of "Nothing Compares 2 U" for her second album, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got (1990), with a new arrangement by her and the producer Nellee Hooper. O'Connor's version is in the key of F major.[6]

Music video edit

 
The lone face of O'Connor made the video one of the most recognisable of the 1990s.

Concept edit

Directed by John Maybury, the music video consists mostly of a closeup of O'Connor's face as she goes through stages of sadness and anger while singing the lyrics; the rest consists of her walking through the Parc de Saint-Cloud in Paris. Toward the end of the video, two tears roll down her face, one on each cheek. O'Connor has said that her tears were real. She did not intend to cry but then thought, "I should let this happen."[7] She explained that the tears were triggered by thoughts of her mother, who died in a car accident in 1985.[7] She said she learned to channel her emotions with the "bel canto" singing style, which she compared to extreme acting methods.[8] In the middle and at the very end of the video, there is a shot from O'Connor's photo session for the I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got album cover.

Reception edit

The video won three "Moonmen" at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards: Video of the Year (O'Connor was the first female artist to be awarded it), Best Female Video and Best Post-Modern Video. It was nominated for Breakthrough Video, Viewer's Choice and International Viewer's Choice during the ceremony. The video was also the subject of many parodies and spoofs, such as Gina Riley's parody "Nothing Is There" on Fast Forward, referring to the fact that O'Connor tended to shave her head bald.[9]

Response edit

Commercial edit

O'Connor's version was a worldwide hit, topping charts in O'Connor's native Ireland, Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States (plus top five in France). It was certified platinum in Austria and in the United Kingdom, and gold in Germany and in Sweden.

In the United States it spent four weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100; in addition, it was number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and reached number two on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart (held off the top position by Rod Stewart's "This Old Heart of Mine" for three weeks). In terms of its chart performance on the Hot 100 it ranked number three for 1990. In April 1990, it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. On the second of its four weeks at number one, the record's parent album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got started a six-week run at number one on the Billboard 200. In 2019, the single ranked 97 in a Hot 100 60th-anniversary Top 600 covering the period from 1958 to 2018.

In the United Kingdom the single ranked number two for the year, behind a re-release of the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody".[10] In July 2023, days after O'Connor's death, "Nothing Compares 2 U" reappeared on the UK Top 100 at number 45,[11] and charted at number 1 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart.[12]

Critical edit

"A few times each year a song comes along that deserves extra-special recognition. Here's the first such entry of 1990. Since I've been shouting the praises of Sinéad's remarkable interpretation of this Prince-penned tune to many of you for over a month, it was safe to assume it would eventually end up on this page. Absolutely brilliant—and if you haven't caught the video, do yourself a favor and check it out NOW!"

—Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report talking about the song.[13]

O'Connor's version received mostly positive reviews. Jodi Cleesattle from American Eagle felt that "there is pain in Sinéad O'Connor's voice, and there probably always will be". She remarked that "loneliness and longing" are highlighted on the song, adding that O'Connor's voice "fits the song perfectly. Her vocals soar and leap unexpectedly but gracefully, making, the ballad, the loveliest of love songs."[14] Bill Coleman from Billboard declared it as a "brilliant interpretation of the melancholic lament."[15] Ernest Hardy from Cashbox called it a "genuine tear-jerker".[16]

Greg Sandow for Entertainment Weekly felt that it is a song "about how to carry on after losing love".[17] Tom Moon from Knight Ridder said she "adapts the breathy approach of a torch singer."[18] A reviewer from Los Angeles Times noted that the singer "match raw emotion with spare sounds" on "the quiet, desperate, lovelorn beauty".[19] Melody Maker wrote, "It should go without saying that her voice is brilliant, but this is a pointless and embarrassing over-sentimental paw. The zillions of strings don't help, they don't add poignancy, they merely serve to drag the momentum backwards. [...] A waste of talent."[20]

Pan-European magazine Music & Media stated that out of all the recent covers of Prince songs – Chaka Khan's "I Feel for You", Tom Jones' "Kiss" and Simple Minds' "Sign o' the Times" – "this is definitely the most convincing." The reviewer noted further that originally recorded by Minneapolis band the Family for their 1985 debut album, "O'Connor's emotionally charged version has immediate appeal", and is "destined to be her biggest hit to date."[21] David Giles from Music Week found that the song "is not one of Prince's finest moments, and O'Connor does little to disguise this fact bar a few token vocal somersaults. The string synths also have a dirge-like effect, dragging the rest of the arrangement along with them."[22]

The Network Forty's reviewer wrote that "when Sinéad sang 'Nothing Compares 2 U', seas calmed, angels wept and Top 40 radio stood still to listen to this powerful expression of unrequited love."[23] James Brown from NME said, "Pining for a recently departed love, Sinéad hits the lyrics with an immense range of vocal ability and passion. From a gossamer thin whisper to a searing plea she shows just how much catching up Kate Bush has to do."[24] Tom Doyle from Smash Hits felt that "it doesn't sound at all like any of her other stuff."[25]

Retrospective edit

In 2019, Bill Lamb from About.com wrote that O'Connor's "emotional, gutsy performance made it a classic. Painful loss meets stunning vocal beauty with a perfectly understated instrumental arrangement."[26] In their 2020 retrospective review, Matthew Hocter from Albumism described it as a song "deeply rooted in emotion and despair which would go on to certify O'Connor and that song as one of music history's most unforgettable moments."[27] AllMusic editor Steve Huey called the song "stunning" and noted its "remarkable intimacy".[28]

In 2010, Tom Ewing of Freaky Trigger noted it as a "very moving track", and added that it "captures the stasis, anger and devastation of a bad break-up with awful accuracy." He also complimented the music "whose stately, sympathetic pulse gives O’Connor the canvas she needs to be so devastating."[29] In an 2000 review, Steven Wells from NME said "it remains one of the best 'boo-hoo, my bloke's left me' pop songs ever recorded", and a "stark reminder that O'Connor is blessed with an amazing and unique voice". He concluded with that it "remains the outstanding highlight of her career to date. She's more than capable of surpassing it in the future. Less Sade and more Aretha, please."[30]

In 2009, Mark Richardson from Pitchfork stated that "you have to look pretty hard to find a better expression in pop music of the void that exists when a relationship ends."[31] In an 2015 retrospective review, Pop Rescue wrote that O'Connor "makes light work" of the track, and she's "having plenty of power to belt out the lyrics at the right points." The reviewer added that it is a "fantastic exhibit of 90s music".[32] In 2004, Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine felt that it perhaps is O'Connor's "greatest vocal achievement" and described it as a "classic torch song she quite simply owns."[33]

Prince versions edit

In 1993, Prince released a live version of "Nothing Compares 2 U", with Rosie Gaines on guest vocals, on his compilation album The Hits/The B-Sides. This version reached number seven on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart in 1993[34] and number 66 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the Billboard issue dated January 15, 1994.[35] Following Prince's death in 2016, this version reached number 43 on the US Digital Songs Sales chart[36] and number 31 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales chart.[37] Prince also recorded a solo version for his concert film Rave Un2 the Year 2000, and for his 2002 live album One Nite Alone... Live!.[citation needed]

Prince's 1984 demo (albeit in newly mixed form by Tony Maserati)[38] was released as a single in 2018 by Warner Bros. Records in conjunction with his estate.[5] It was accompanied by a music video, consisting of edited rehearsal footage shot in mid-1984.[39][40] The single reached number 21 on the US Hot R&B Songs chart[41] and number eight on the US R&B Digital Song Sales chart in 2018.[42] It was included as the final track on Prince's 2019 posthumous compilation Originals.

Personnel (1984 version) edit

Credits sourced from Duane Tudahl and Guitarcloud[43][44]

Legacy edit

  • In 2003, Q magazine ranked "Nothing Compares 2 U" at number 242 in their list of the "1001 Best Songs Ever".[45]
  • It was included at number 165 by Rolling Stone in its list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".[46]
  • In 2007, VH1 ranked O'Connor's rendition number 10 of the "100 Greatest Songs of the 90s".[47]
  • In September 2010, Pitchfork included the song at number 37 on their Top 200 Tracks of the 90s.[48]
  • The song was listed at number 77 on Billboard's "Greatest Songs of All Time".[49]
  • Time magazine included "Nothing Compares 2 U" in its 2011 (unranked) list of "All-TIME 100 Songs".[50]
  • In 2012, Porcys listed the song at number 60 in their ranking of "100 Singles 1990-1999", noting that "it's probably one of the noblest, most dignified slow songs of the decade".[51]
  • In October 2014, Aretha Franklin released her thirty-eighth and final studio album Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics in which she covered several songs by other female recording artists, including an upbeat, jazz version of O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U".
  • The song was simulcast on radio stations throughout the United States to commemorate Prince 15 days after his death. The simulcast was timed to reflect the song's opening lyric: "It's been 7 hours and 15 days since you took your love away."[52]
  • Chris Cornell posted a link to his version the day after Prince's death. In an accompanying message, he wrote: "Prince's music is the soundtrack to the soulful and beautiful universe he created, and we have all been privileged to be part of that amazing world. I performed his song 'Nothing Compares 2 U' for the first time a couple months ago. It has a timeless relevance for me and practically everyone I know. Sadly, now his own lyrics in this song could not be more relevant than at this moment, and I sing them now in reverence as I pay tribute to this unequaled artist who has given all of our lives so much inspiration and made the world so much more interesting. We will miss you Prince!!!"[53] On Father's Day 2018, Cornell's daughter Toni released a version of the song she recorded with her dad before his death in 2017.[54] In 2020, the song was covered on Chris Cornell's No One Sings Like You Anymore, Vol. 1.[55]
  • In 2019, Stacker placed the song at number 20 in their list of "Best 90s pop songs".[56]
  • In 2020, The Guardian ranked the song at number 12 in its list of the "100 Greatest UK No 1s"[57]
  • Country artist Jon Pardi covered the song on his album Rancho Fiesta Sessions in 2020.
  • In 2024, Annie Lennox, accompanied by Wendy & Lisa sang this song at the 2024 Grammy Awards during the "In Memoriam" segment as a tribute to O'Connor. She ended the performance by saying "Artists for ceasefire! Peace in the world!" as a response to the 2023 Israel–Hamas ceasefire and the Israel–Hamas war.
  • Cleveland.com ranked "Nothing Compares 2 U" the best Billboard Hot 100 number-one song of the 1990s in 2020, calling it "one of the greatest love songs ever written".[58]
  • It was included at number 184 by Rolling Stone in its 2021 update list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".[59]

Track listings edit

Credits and personnel edit

Charts edit

Ireland chart history edit

"Nothing Compares 2 U" entered the Irish singles chart on January 11, 1990, reaching number one two weeks later. After a six-week run at the top, Sinéad O'Connor was replaced by "Love Shack" by the B-52's. The song left the chart on March 29, after twelve weeks.

UK chart history edit

In the UK Top 100 chart dated January 20, 1990, the single entered at number 30, then rocketed to number three, then to number one, where it stayed for four weeks, holding off a twin challenge from dance acts Technotronic and Black Box. The single slipped to number two in the chart dated March 3, replaced at the top by "Dub Be Good to Me" by Beats International. "Nothing Compares 2 U" completed its twelve-week run within the UK Top 40 in early April. "Nothing Compares 2 U" was Britain's biggest-selling new recording of 1990, ranking number two in the year-end chart behind a re-release of the Righteous Brothers' 1965 hit "Unchained Melody".

US chart history edit

The single entered the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 at number 33, in the issue dated March 24, 1990. "Nothing Compares 2 U" rose steadily over the next four weeks – no doubt bolstered by the increasing exposure of the song's video on MTV – before reaching number one in the issue dated April 21. The single took just six weeks to reach number one – tied with Madonna's "Vogue" and New Kids on the Block's "Step by Step" as the year's fastest climber to the top. It spent four weeks at number one, as it did in the UK, with Jane Child's "Don't Wanna Fall in Love" and Calloway's "I Wanna Be Rich" stuck at number two.[citation needed] Madonna's "Vogue" replaced "Nothing Compares 2 U" at number one. The single spent ten weeks in the Top Ten – one of only four 1990 releases to do so – and finished its 15-week run in the US Top 40 in late June.

Certifications and sales edit

Certifications and sales for "Nothing Compares 2 U"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[110] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[111] Platinum 50,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[112] Gold 45,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[113] Gold 250,000^
Italy (FIMI)[114]
sales since 2009 		Gold 35,000‡
Netherlands — 175,000[115]
New Zealand (RMNZ)[116] Platinum 30,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[117] Platinum 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[120]
1990 sales + post 1994 sales 		Platinum 1,457,384[118][119]
United States (RIAA)[121]
1990 sales 		Platinum 1,000,000^
United States
digital sales 		— 1,015,608[122]
Summaries
Worldwide
1990 sales 		— 3,500,000[123]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history edit

Release history for "Nothing Compares 2 U"
Country Release date
United Kingdom January 8, 1990
Various February 4, 1990
United States February 11, 1990

See also edit

References edit

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April 12, 2024
nothing, compares, confused, with, nothin, that, compares, song, written, american, musician, prince, band, family, first, appeared, their, only, album, family, 1985, lyrics, express, feelings, longing, expressed, abandoned, lover, single, sinéad, connorfrom, . Not to be confused with Nothin That Compares 2 U Nothing Compares 2 U is a song written by the American musician Prince for his band the Family It first appeared on their only album The Family 1985 Its lyrics express the feelings of longing expressed by an abandoned lover Nothing Compares 2 U Single by Sinead O Connorfrom the album I Do Not Want What I Haven t GotB side Jump in the River Released8 January 1990 1 StudioS T S Dublin Ireland GenrePop 2 blue eyed soul 3 Length5 10LabelChrysalisSongwriter s PrinceProducer s Sinead O Connor Nellee Hooper Chris BirkettSinead O Connor singles chronology Jump in the River 1988 Nothing Compares 2 U 1990 The Emperor s New Clothes 1990 Music video Nothing Compares 2 U on YouTubeSample of Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O Connor source source Problems playing this file See media help The Irish singer songwriter Sinead O Connor recorded a version for her second studio album I Do Not Want What I Haven t Got 1990 co produced with Nellee Hooper It was released as the album s second single in early 1990 and became a worldwide hit Its music video directed by John Maybury received heavy rotation on MTV In December 1990 Billboard named Nothing Compares 2 U the 1 World Single of 1990 at its first Billboard Music Awards 4 In 1993 Prince released a live version of Nothing Compares 2 U with Rosie Gaines on guest vocals on his compilation album The Hits The B Sides His 1984 demo was released as a single in 2018 and included on the 2019 compilation Originals Contents 1 Background 2 Recording 3 Music video 3 1 Concept 3 2 Reception 4 Response 4 1 Commercial 4 2 Critical 4 3 Retrospective 5 Prince versions 5 1 Personnel 1984 version 6 Legacy 7 Track listings 8 Credits and personnel 9 Charts 9 1 Weekly charts 9 2 Year end charts 9 3 Decade end charts 9 4 All time charts 9 5 Ireland chart history 9 6 UK chart history 9 7 US chart history 10 Certifications and sales 11 Release history 12 See also 13 ReferencesBackground edit Nothing Compares 2 U was written by the American musician Prince who recorded a demo in 1984 In 1985 Prince s funk band the Family released their sole studio album The Family including Nothing Compares 2 U It was not released as a single and received little recognition Prince s demo was released in 2018 5 Recording editThe Irish singer songwriter Sinead O Connor recorded a version of Nothing Compares 2 U for her second album I Do Not Want What I Haven t Got 1990 with a new arrangement by her and the producer Nellee Hooper O Connor s version is in the key of F major 6 Music video edit nbsp The lone face of O Connor made the video one of the most recognisable of the 1990s Concept edit Directed by John Maybury the music video consists mostly of a closeup of O Connor s face as she goes through stages of sadness and anger while singing the lyrics the rest consists of her walking through the Parc de Saint Cloud in Paris Toward the end of the video two tears roll down her face one on each cheek O Connor has said that her tears were real She did not intend to cry but then thought I should let this happen 7 She explained that the tears were triggered by thoughts of her mother who died in a car accident in 1985 7 She said she learned to channel her emotions with the bel canto singing style which she compared to extreme acting methods 8 In the middle and at the very end of the video there is a shot from O Connor s photo session for the I Do Not Want What I Haven t Got album cover Reception edit The video won three Moonmen at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards Video of the Year O Connor was the first female artist to be awarded it Best Female Video and Best Post Modern Video It was nominated for Breakthrough Video Viewer s Choice and International Viewer s Choice during the ceremony The video was also the subject of many parodies and spoofs such as Gina Riley s parody Nothing Is There on Fast Forward referring to the fact that O Connor tended to shave her head bald 9 Response editCommercial edit O Connor s version was a worldwide hit topping charts in O Connor s native Ireland Australia Austria Canada Denmark Germany Mexico Netherlands New Zealand Norway Sweden Switzerland the United Kingdom and the United States plus top five in France It was certified platinum in Austria and in the United Kingdom and gold in Germany and in Sweden In the United States it spent four weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in addition it was number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and reached number two on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart held off the top position by Rod Stewart s This Old Heart of Mine for three weeks In terms of its chart performance on the Hot 100 it ranked number three for 1990 In April 1990 it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America On the second of its four weeks at number one the record s parent album I Do Not Want What I Haven t Got started a six week run at number one on the Billboard 200 In 2019 the single ranked 97 in a Hot 100 60th anniversary Top 600 covering the period from 1958 to 2018 In the United Kingdom the single ranked number two for the year behind a re release of the Righteous Brothers Unchained Melody 10 In July 2023 days after O Connor s death Nothing Compares 2 U reappeared on the UK Top 100 at number 45 11 and charted at number 1 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart 12 Critical edit A few times each year a song comes along that deserves extra special recognition Here s the first such entry of 1990 Since I ve been shouting the praises of Sinead s remarkable interpretation of this Prince penned tune to many of you for over a month it was safe to assume it would eventually end up on this page Absolutely brilliant and if you haven t caught the video do yourself a favor and check it out NOW Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report talking about the song 13 O Connor s version received mostly positive reviews Jodi Cleesattle from American Eagle felt that there is pain in Sinead O Connor s voice and there probably always will be She remarked that loneliness and longing are highlighted on the song adding that O Connor s voice fits the song perfectly Her vocals soar and leap unexpectedly but gracefully making the ballad the loveliest of love songs 14 Bill Coleman from Billboard declared it as a brilliant interpretation of the melancholic lament 15 Ernest Hardy from Cashbox called it a genuine tear jerker 16 Greg Sandow for Entertainment Weekly felt that it is a song about how to carry on after losing love 17 Tom Moon from Knight Ridder said she adapts the breathy approach of a torch singer 18 A reviewer from Los Angeles Times noted that the singer match raw emotion with spare sounds on the quiet desperate lovelorn beauty 19 Melody Maker wrote It should go without saying that her voice is brilliant but this is a pointless and embarrassing over sentimental paw The zillions of strings don t help they don t add poignancy they merely serve to drag the momentum backwards A waste of talent 20 Pan European magazine Music amp Media stated that out of all the recent covers of Prince songs Chaka Khan s I Feel for You Tom Jones Kiss and Simple Minds Sign o the Times this is definitely the most convincing The reviewer noted further that originally recorded by Minneapolis band the Family for their 1985 debut album O Connor s emotionally charged version has immediate appeal and is destined to be her biggest hit to date 21 David Giles from Music Week found that the song is not one of Prince s finest moments and O Connor does little to disguise this fact bar a few token vocal somersaults The string synths also have a dirge like effect dragging the rest of the arrangement along with them 22 The Network Forty s reviewer wrote that when Sinead sang Nothing Compares 2 U seas calmed angels wept and Top 40 radio stood still to listen to this powerful expression of unrequited love 23 James Brown from NME said Pining for a recently departed love Sinead hits the lyrics with an immense range of vocal ability and passion From a gossamer thin whisper to a searing plea she shows just how much catching up Kate Bush has to do 24 Tom Doyle from Smash Hits felt that it doesn t sound at all like any of her other stuff 25 Retrospective edit In 2019 Bill Lamb from About com wrote that O Connor s emotional gutsy performance made it a classic Painful loss meets stunning vocal beauty with a perfectly understated instrumental arrangement 26 In their 2020 retrospective review Matthew Hocter from Albumism described it as a song deeply rooted in emotion and despair which would go on to certify O Connor and that song as one of music history s most unforgettable moments 27 AllMusic editor Steve Huey called the song stunning and noted its remarkable intimacy 28 In 2010 Tom Ewing of Freaky Trigger noted it as a very moving track and added that it captures the stasis anger and devastation of a bad break up with awful accuracy He also complimented the music whose stately sympathetic pulse gives O Connor the canvas she needs to be so devastating 29 In an 2000 review Steven Wells from NME said it remains one of the best boo hoo my bloke s left me pop songs ever recorded and a stark reminder that O Connor is blessed with an amazing and unique voice He concluded with that it remains the outstanding highlight of her career to date She s more than capable of surpassing it in the future Less Sade and more Aretha please 30 In 2009 Mark Richardson from Pitchfork stated that you have to look pretty hard to find a better expression in pop music of the void that exists when a relationship ends 31 In an 2015 retrospective review Pop Rescue wrote that O Connor makes light work of the track and she s having plenty of power to belt out the lyrics at the right points The reviewer added that it is a fantastic exhibit of 90s music 32 In 2004 Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine felt that it perhaps is O Connor s greatest vocal achievement and described it as a classic torch song she quite simply owns 33 Prince versions editIn 1993 Prince released a live version of Nothing Compares 2 U with Rosie Gaines on guest vocals on his compilation album The Hits The B Sides This version reached number seven on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart in 1993 34 and number 66 on the US Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs chart in the Billboard issue dated January 15 1994 35 Following Prince s death in 2016 this version reached number 43 on the US Digital Songs Sales chart 36 and number 31 on the US R amp B Hip Hop Digital Song Sales chart 37 Prince also recorded a solo version for his concert film Rave Un2 the Year 2000 and for his 2002 live album One Nite Alone Live citation needed Prince s 1984 demo albeit in newly mixed form by Tony Maserati 38 was released as a single in 2018 by Warner Bros Records in conjunction with his estate 5 It was accompanied by a music video consisting of edited rehearsal footage shot in mid 1984 39 40 The single reached number 21 on the US Hot R amp B Songs chart 41 and number eight on the US R amp B Digital Song Sales chart in 2018 42 It was included as the final track on Prince s 2019 posthumous compilation Originals Personnel 1984 version edit Credits sourced from Duane Tudahl and Guitarcloud 43 44 Prince lead and backing vocals Yamaha DX7 electric guitar bass guitar drums Eric Leeds saxophone Susannah Melvoin backing vocals Clare Fischer orchestral arrangementLegacy editIn 2003 Q magazine ranked Nothing Compares 2 U at number 242 in their list of the 1001 Best Songs Ever 45 It was included at number 165 by Rolling Stone in its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time 46 In 2007 VH1 ranked O Connor s rendition number 10 of the 100 Greatest Songs of the 90s 47 In September 2010 Pitchfork included the song at number 37 on their Top 200 Tracks of the 90s 48 The song was listed at number 77 on Billboard s Greatest Songs of All Time 49 Time magazine included Nothing Compares 2 U in its 2011 unranked list of All TIME 100 Songs 50 In 2012 Porcys listed the song at number 60 in their ranking of 100 Singles 1990 1999 noting that it s probably one of the noblest most dignified slow songs of the decade 51 In October 2014 Aretha Franklin released her thirty eighth and final studio album Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics in which she covered several songs by other female recording artists including an upbeat jazz version of O Connor s Nothing Compares 2 U The song was simulcast on radio stations throughout the United States to commemorate Prince 15 days after his death The simulcast was timed to reflect the song s opening lyric It s been 7 hours and 15 days since you took your love away 52 Chris Cornell posted a link to his version the day after Prince s death In an accompanying message he wrote Prince s music is the soundtrack to the soulful and beautiful universe he created and we have all been privileged to be part of that amazing world I performed his song Nothing Compares 2 U for the first time a couple months ago It has a timeless relevance for me and practically everyone I know Sadly now his own lyrics in this song could not be more relevant than at this moment and I sing them now in reverence as I pay tribute to this unequaled artist who has given all of our lives so much inspiration and made the world so much more interesting We will miss you Prince 53 On Father s Day 2018 Cornell s daughter Toni released a version of the song she recorded with her dad before his death in 2017 54 In 2020 the song was covered on Chris Cornell s No One Sings Like You Anymore Vol 1 55 In 2019 Stacker placed the song at number 20 in their list of Best 90s pop songs 56 In 2020 The Guardian ranked the song at number 12 in its list of the 100 Greatest UK No 1s 57 Country artist Jon Pardi covered the song on his album Rancho Fiesta Sessions in 2020 In 2024 Annie Lennox accompanied by Wendy amp Lisa sang this song at the 2024 Grammy Awards during the In Memoriam segment as a tribute to O Connor She ended the performance by saying Artists for ceasefire Peace in the world as a response to the 2023 Israel Hamas ceasefire and the Israel Hamas war Cleveland com ranked Nothing Compares 2 U the best Billboard Hot 100 number one song of the 1990s in 2020 calling it one of the greatest love songs ever written 58 It was included at number 184 by Rolling Stone in its 2021 update list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time 59 Track listings edit7 single Nothing Compares 2 U 5 09 Jump in the River 4 13 CD maxi Nothing Compares 2 U 5 09 Jump in the River 4 13 Jump in the River instrumental 4 04Credits and personnel editNothing Compares 2 U Sinead O Connor lead vocals background vocals producer mixing Prince music and lyrics Nellee Hooper producing Chris Birkett engineering mixing Dave Burnham assistant mix engineer Jump in the River Sinead O Connor music and lyrics lead vocals producer mixing Marco Pirroni music and lyrics Chris Birkett engineering mixing Fachtna O Ceallaigh mixingCharts editWeekly charts edit Weekly chart performance for Nothing Compares 2 U Chart 1990 PeakpositionAustralia ARIA 60 1Austria O3 Austria Top 40 61 1Belgium Ultratop 50 Flanders 62 1Canada Top Singles RPM 63 1Canada Adult Contemporary RPM 64 1Denmark IFPI 65 1Europe Eurochart Hot 100 66 1Finland Suomen virallinen lista 67 1France SNEP 68 5Iceland Islenski Listinn 69 1Ireland IRMA 70 1Italy Musica e dischi 65 1Netherlands Dutch Top 40 71 1Netherlands Single Top 100 72 1New Zealand Recorded Music NZ 73 1Norway VG lista 74 1Portugal AFP 75 1Spain AFYVE 76 4Sweden Sverigetopplistan 77 1Switzerland Schweizer Hitparade 78 1UK Singles OCC 79 1US Billboard Hot 100 80 1US Adult Contemporary Billboard 81 2US Alternative Airplay Billboard 82 1West Germany Official German Charts 83 12010 weekly chart performance for Nothing Compares 2 U Chart 2010 PeakpositionPoland Polish Airplay Top 100 84 12011 weekly chart performance for Nothing Compares 2 U Chart 2011 PeakpositionDenmark Tracklisten 85 192023 weekly chart performance for Nothing Compares 2 U Chart 2023 PeakpositionGlobal 200 Billboard 86 118Ireland IRMA 87 7Israel Media Forest 88 3New Zealand Hot Singles RMNZ 89 20Switzerland Schweizer Hitparade 90 47UK Singles OCC 91 30UK Indie OCC 92 5US Hot Rock amp Alternative Songs Billboard 93 10 Year end charts edit Year end chart performance for Nothing Compares 2 U Chart 1990 PositionAustralia ARIA 94 1Austria O3 Austria Top 40 95 2Belgium Ultratop 96 3Canada Top Singles RPM 97 3Canada Adult Contemporary RPM 98 1Europe Eurochart Hot 100 99 1Germany Official German Charts 100 2Netherlands Dutch Top 40 101 1Netherlands Single Top 100 102 1New Zealand Recorded Music NZ 103 11Switzerland Schweizer Hitparade 104 6UK Singles OCC 105 2US Billboard Hot 100 106 3US Adult Contemporary Billboard 107 26Decade end charts edit Decade end chart performance for Nothing Compares 2 U Chart 1990 1999 PositionUS Billboard Hot 100 108 82All time charts edit All time chart performance for Nothing Compares 2 U Chart 1958 2018 PositionUS Billboard Hot 100 109 97 Ireland chart history edit Nothing Compares 2 U entered the Irish singles chart on January 11 1990 reaching number one two weeks later After a six week run at the top Sinead O Connor was replaced by Love Shack by the B 52 s The song left the chart on March 29 after twelve weeks UK chart history edit In the UK Top 100 chart dated January 20 1990 the single entered at number 30 then rocketed to number three then to number one where it stayed for four weeks holding off a twin challenge from dance acts Technotronic and Black Box The single slipped to number two in the chart dated March 3 replaced at the top by Dub Be Good to Me by Beats International Nothing Compares 2 U completed its twelve week run within the UK Top 40 in early April Nothing Compares 2 U was Britain s biggest selling new recording of 1990 ranking number two in the year end chart behind a re release of the Righteous Brothers 1965 hit Unchained Melody US chart history edit The single entered the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 at number 33 in the issue dated March 24 1990 Nothing Compares 2 U rose steadily over the next four weeks no doubt bolstered by the increasing exposure of the song s video on MTV before reaching number one in the issue dated April 21 The single took just six weeks to reach number one tied with Madonna s Vogue and New Kids on the Block s Step by Step as the year s fastest climber to the top It spent four weeks at number one as it did in the UK with Jane Child s Don t Wanna Fall in Love and Calloway s I Wanna Be Rich stuck at number two citation needed Madonna s Vogue replaced Nothing Compares 2 U at number one The single spent ten weeks in the Top Ten one of only four 1990 releases to do so and finished its 15 week run in the US Top 40 in late June Certifications and sales editCertifications and sales for Nothing Compares 2 U Region Certification Certified units salesAustralia ARIA 110 2 Platinum 140 000 Austria IFPI Austria 111 Platinum 50 000 Denmark IFPI Danmark 112 Gold 45 000 Germany BVMI 113 Gold 250 000 Italy FIMI 114 sales since 2009 Gold 35 000 Netherlands 175 000 115 New Zealand RMNZ 116 Platinum 30 000 Sweden GLF 117 Platinum 50 000 United Kingdom BPI 120 1990 sales post 1994 sales Platinum 1 457 384 118 119 United States RIAA 121 1990 sales Platinum 1 000 000 United Statesdigital sales 1 015 608 122 SummariesWorldwide1990 sales 3 500 000 123 Sales figures based on certification alone Shipments figures based on certification alone Sales streaming figures based on certification alone Release history editRelease history for Nothing Compares 2 U Country Release dateUnited Kingdom January 8 1990Various February 4 1990United States February 11 1990See also editList of European number one airplay songs of the 1990sReferences edit BPI Gilbert Sophie April 21 2015 How Nothing Compares 2 U Endured The Atlantic Retrieved August 4 2015 Rolling Stone Staff July 26 2023 Sinead O Connor 10 Essential Songs Rolling Stone Retrieved July 28 2023 her cover was the greatest Gaelic blue eyed soul performance since Van Morrison Search Results Billboard Music Awards Retrieved December 6 2020 a b Listen to Prince s Original Version of Nothing Compares 2 U Pitchfork April 19 2018 Retrieved April 26 2018 Prince Sinead O Connor August 2 2010 Nothing Compares 2 U Musicnotes com Retrieved April 28 2021 a b Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O Connor Songfacts Songfacts com Laurence Rebecca Prince s heartbreaking song about loss Gina Riley Nothing is There From Fast Forward YouTube April 21 2009 Archived from the original on November 17 2021 Retrieved September 1 2016 Best selling albums amp singles of 1990 Melody Maker Vol 67 no 1 January 5 1991 p 2 Official Singles Chart Top 100 28 July 2023 3 August 2023 Official Charts July 28 2023 Retrieved July 28 2023 Official Singles Downloads Chart on 28 7 2023 28 July 2023 3 August 2023 Official Charts July 28 2023 Retrieved July 28 2023 Sholin Dave March 9 1990 Gavin Picks gt Singles PDF Gavin Report No 1797 p 52 Retrieved April 17 2018 Cleesattle Jodi April 2 1990 Pain power essence of O Connor s voice American Eagle p 15 Coleman Bill March 10 1990 Single Reviews PDF Billboard p 91 Retrieved February 15 2020 Hardy Ernest March 31 1990 Pop Reviews Albums PDF Cashbox p 18 Retrieved October 27 2020 Sandow Greg March 16 1990 I Do not Want What I Haven t Got Entertainment Weekly Retrieved February 23 2020 Moon Tom March 23 1990 Sinead O Connor produces a stunning second album Spokane Chronicle Retrieved March 13 2020 Sinead O Connor I Do Not Want What I Haven t Got Los Angeles Times March 18 1990 Retrieved February 26 2020 Push January 6 1990 Singles Melody Maker Retrieved February 24 2023 Previews Singles PDF Music amp Media February 3 1990 p 16 Retrieved February 19 2020 Giles David January 13 1990 Singles PDF Music Week Retrieved October 29 2020 Musical Memories of 1990 PDF The Network Forty December 21 1990 p 6 Retrieved March 21 2020 Brown James January 20 1990 Singles NME Retrieved February 24 2023 Doyle Tom March 7 1990 Review LPs Smash Hits No 294 p 55 Retrieved March 8 2020 Lamb Bill September 7 2019 The Best 100 Songs From the 1990s About com Retrieved March 21 2020 Sinead O Connor s I Do Not Want What I Haven t Got Turns 30 Anniversary Retrospective Albumism March 18 2020 Retrieved March 23 2020 Huey Steve Sinead O Connor I Do Not Want What I Haven t Got AllMusic Retrieved March 21 2020 Ewing Tom October 29 2010 Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U Freaky Trigger Retrieved March 6 2020 Wells Steven Sinead O Connor So Far The Best Of Sinead O Connor NME Archived from the original on August 17 2000 Retrieved December 4 2020 Richardson Mark April 24 2009 Sinead O Connor I Do Not Want What I Haven t Got Limited Edition Pitchfork Retrieved March 7 2020 Review I Do Not Want What I Haven t Got by Sinead O Connor CD 1990 Pop Rescue October 5 2015 Retrieved April 14 2020 Cinquemani Sal I Do Not Want What I Haven t Got Slant Magazine Archived from the original on September 30 2007 Retrieved February 26 2020 Prince Chart History Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Billboard Retrieved October 3 2021 Hot R amp B Singles Billboard Vol 106 no 3 Nielsen Business Media Inc January 15 1994 ISSN 0006 2510 Retrieved October 3 2021 via Google Books Prince Chart History Billboard Digital Songs Sales Billboard Retrieved October 3 2021 via Billboard com Prince Chart History Billboard R amp B Hip Hop Digital Song Sales Billboard Retrieved October 3 2021 via Billboard com Nothing Compares 2 U limited edition 7 single Media notes 2018 Prince Nothing Compares 2 U OFFICIAL VIDEO YouTube April 19 2018 Archived from the original on November 17 2021 Miller Matt April 19 2018 Prince s Only Recording of Nothing Compares 2 U Has Finally Been Released It s Incredible Esquire Retrieved April 26 2018 Prince Chart History Billboard Hot R amp B Songs Billboard Retrieved October 3 2021 via Billboard com Prince Chart History Billboard R amp B Digital Song Sales Billboard Retrieved October 3 2021 via Billboard com Tudahl Duane 2018 Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions 1983 and 1984 Expanded ed Rowman amp Littlefield ISBN 9781538116432 Yamaha DX7 guitarcloud org Retrieved May 8 2023 Q 1001 best songs ever 2003 Muzieklijstjes nl Retrieved April 25 2021 The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time Rolling Stone No 963 December 9 2004 Retrieved March 17 2011 Breaking Dawn Soundtrack Posted December 13 2007 Top 100 Songs of the 90s VH1 Blog Blog vh1 com Archived from the original on February 14 2012 Retrieved November 1 2011 Staff Lists The Top 200 Tracks of the 1990s 50 21 Features Pitchfork September 2 2010 Archived from the original on May 9 2015 Retrieved March 30 2014 1 Archived October 1 2008 at the Wayback Machine Tightrope 100 Greatest Popular Songs TIME List of Best Music TIME com Entertainment time com October 21 2011 Retrieved March 30 2014 100 Singli 1990 1999 Porcys in Polish August 20 2012 Retrieved April 2 2020 Billboard Prince s Nothing Compares 2 U Will Be Simulcast on Radio Stations Nationwide on Wednesday Retrieved April 19 2018 CHRIS CORNELL PRINCE s Music Is The Soundtrack To The Soulful And Beautiful Universe He Created April 22 2016 Chris Cornell and his daughter cover Prince s Nothing Compares 2 U Stream June 17 2018 Chris Cornell s Historic Voice and Great Ear Take Center Stage on the Covers LP No One Sings Like You Anymore rollingstone com December 11 2020 Osborn Jacob April 30 2019 Best 90s pop songs Stacker Retrieved April 22 2020 The 100 greatest UK No 1s No 12 Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U The Guardian May 21 2020 Retrieved April 25 2021 Smith Tony L October 21 2020 Every No 1 song of the 1990s ranked from worst to best Cleveland com Retrieved February 5 2021 500 Best Songs of All Time Rolling Stone September 15 2021 Retrieved February 19 2022 Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U ARIA Top 50 Singles Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U in German O3 Austria Top 40 Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U in Dutch Ultratop 50 Top RPM Singles Issue 9051 RPM Library and Archives Canada Retrieved April 9 2019 Top RPM Adult Contemporary Issue 9135 RPM Library and Archives Canada Retrieved April 9 2019 a b Top 3 Singles in Europe PDF Music amp Media Vol 7 no 12 March 24 1990 p 11 Retrieved March 22 2018 Eurochart Hot 100 Singles PDF Music amp Media Vol 7 no 9 March 3 1990 p 13 Retrieved November 22 2019 Nyman Jake 2005 Suomi soi 4 Suuri suomalainen listakirja in Finnish 1st ed Helsinki Tammi ISBN 951 31 2503 3 Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U in French Les classement single Islenski Listinn 1990 in Icelandic Dagbladid Visir Archived from the original PDF on February 11 2021 Retrieved February 6 2018 The Irish Charts Search Results Nothing Compares 2 U Irish Singles Chart Retrieved April 9 2019 Nederlandse Top 40 week 7 1990 in Dutch Dutch Top 40 Retrieved April 9 2019 Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U in Dutch Single Top 100 Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U Top 40 Singles Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U VG lista Top 3 Singles in Europe PDF Music amp Media Vol 7 no 32 August 11 1990 p 10 Retrieved November 22 2019 Salaverri Fernando September 2005 Solo exitos ano a ano 1959 2002 1st ed Spain Fundacion Autor SGAE ISBN 84 8048 639 2 Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U Singles Top 100 Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U Swiss Singles Chart Official Singles Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Sinead O Connor Chart History Hot 100 Billboard Sinead O Connor Chart History Adult Contemporary Billboard Sinead O Connor Chart History Alternative Airplay Billboard Offiziellecharts de Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U in German GfK Entertainment charts Retrieved April 9 2019 Listy bestsellerow wyroznienia Zwiazek Producentow Audio Video Polish Airplay Top 100 Retrieved August 3 2012 Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U Tracklisten Sinead O Connor Chart History Global 200 Billboard Retrieved August 3 2023 Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50 Official Charts Company Retrieved August 5 2023 Media Forest charts Media Forest Archived from the original on July 31 2023 Retrieved August 1 2023 NZ Hot Singles Chart Recorded Music NZ August 7 2023 Retrieved August 5 2023 Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U Swiss Singles Chart Retrieved August 3 2023 Official Singles Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50 Official Charts Company Retrieved August 3 2023 Sinead O Connor Chart History Hot Rock amp Alternative Songs Billboard Retrieved August 3 2023 ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1990 ARIA Retrieved February 10 2021 Jahreshitparade Singles 1990 in German Retrieved June 29 2019 Jaaroverzichten 1990 in Dutch Ultratop Retrieved June 29 2019 RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990 RPM Library and Archives Canada Retrieved June 29 2019 RPM Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1990 RPM Library and Archives Canada Retrieved June 29 2019 Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1990 PDF Music amp Media Vol 7 no 51 December 22 1990 p 36 Retrieved February 10 2021 Top 100 Single Jahreschart 1990 in German GfK Entertainment Retrieved June 1 2018 Single top 100 over 1990 PDF in Dutch Top40 Retrieved April 12 2010 Jaaroverzichten Single 1990 in Dutch MegaCharts Retrieved June 29 2019 End of Year Charts 1990 Recorded Music NZ Retrieved December 3 2017 Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1990 in German Retrieved June 29 2019 1990 Top 100 Singles Music Week London England Spotlight Publications March 2 1991 p 41 Billboard Top 100 1990 Billboardtop100of com Retrieved June 29 2019 Adult Contemporary Songs Year End 1990 Billboard Retrieved March 10 2021 Mayfield Geoff December 25 1999 1999 The Year in Music Totally 90s Diary of a Decade The listing of Top Pop Albums of the 90s amp Hot 100 Singles of the 90s Billboard Retrieved October 15 2010 Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart Billboard Retrieved December 10 2018 ARIA Charts Accreditations 1990 Singles PDF Australian Recording Industry Association Retrieved July 17 2021 Austrian single certifications Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U in German IFPI Austria Retrieved October 10 2019 Danish single certifications Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U IFPI Danmark Retrieved December 8 2020 Gold Platin Datenbank Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U in German Bundesverband Musikindustrie Retrieved October 10 2019 Italian single certifications Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U in Italian Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana Retrieved May 17 2021 Select 2021 in the Anno drop down menu Select Nothing Compares 2 U in the Filtra field Select Singoli under Sezione Willemm Hoos January 12 1991 Nothing Compares To Sinead Collins On Dutch Charts In 90 PDF Billboard p 65 Retrieved September 9 2021 via World Radio History New Zealand single certifications Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U Recorded Music NZ Retrieved August 5 2023 Guld och Platinacertifikat Ar 1987 1998 PDF in Swedish IFPI Sweden Archived from the original PDF on May 17 2011 Retrieved October 10 2019 Rob Copsey May 14 2021 Official Top 30 best selling songs of 1990 Official Charts Retrieved January 22 2022 Paine Andre July 31 2023 Sinead O Connor s Nothing Compares 2 U could go Top 20 for first time in 33 years Music Week Retrieved September 12 2023 British single certifications Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U British Phonographic Industry American single certifications Sinead O Connor Nothing Compares 2 U Recording Industry Association of America Retrieved October 10 2019 Nielsen SoundScan charts Digital Songs Week Ending 09 14 2017 PDF Nielsen SoundScan Archived from the original PDF on September 19 2017 Retrieved June 16 2021 Sinead PDF Music amp Media September 22 1990 Retrieved October 10 2019 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nothing Compares 2 U amp oldid 1218028700, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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