Sinead O’Connor Dies

Propelled in part by a haunting video that played in heavy MTV rotation, O’Connor’s version of “Nothing Compares 2 U” became a worldwide hit and was nominated for Record of the Year at the Grammys.

Sinead Marie Bernadette O’Connor was born in the Cascia House Nursing Home at 13 Pembroke Road, Dublin, on 8 December 1966. She was named Sinéad after Sinéad de Valera, the mother of the doctor presiding over the delivery, Éamon de Valera, Jnr., and Bernadette in honor of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes. She was the third of five children.

At age 15, her shoplifting and truancy led to her being placed for eighteen months in a Magdalene asylum called the Grianán Training Centre run by order of Our Lady of Charity. O’Connor’s mother Marie died in a car accident on 10 February 1985 aged 45 as she lost control of her car on an icy road and crashed into a bus when O’Connor was eighteen.

Despite this, she showed an early interest in music and began performing in local bands in Dublin. She moved to London in 1985 and in 1987, she released her debut album “The Lion and the Cobra,” which received critical acclaim and introduced her as a powerful new voice in music. The album’s lead single “Mandinka” garnered significant attention and helped establish her as a rising star.

Her second album, “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got,” was released in 1990 and became a massive success. The album’s single “Nothing Compares 2 U,” a Prince cover, topped charts worldwide and won her multiple awards. The emotional music video for the song became an iconic symbol of the 1990s music era.

O’Connor’s music evolved throughout her career, experimenting with various genres such as rock, folk, and reggae. She continued to release albums that reflected her personal growth and evolving musical tastes, including “Am I Not Your Girl?” (1992), “Universal Mother” (1994), and “Faith and Courage” (2000).

Religion and spirituality marked her life. On the back of her hand was tattooed “the lion of Judah shall break every chain” and on her chest was a large Jesus tattoo. On her neck was “all things must pass”, another biblical quote.

In addition to her music, Sinead O’Connor is known for her outspoken views on social and political issues. She has advocated for various causes, including women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the fight against child abuse. However, her strong opinions and actions have sometimes led to controversy and media attention. Struggles with mental health issues and family challenges have marked O’Connor’s personal life.

She has been open about her experiences with bipolar disorder and has discussed the impact of her traumatic childhood on her adult life. In the years following her peak fame, O’Connor continued to release albums and collaborate with other artists.

Here are a few of her songs
  • “Nothing Compares 2 U” (Writer: Prince, Year: 1990)
    • Note: While Prince originally wrote this song, Sinead O’Connor’s rendition became the most well-known and successful version.
  • “Mandinka” (Writer: Sinead O’Connor, Marco Pirroni, Terry Adams, Year: 1987)
  • “Troy” (Writer: Sinead O’Connor, Year: 1987)
  • “I Want Your (Hands on Me)” (Writer: Sinead O’Connor, Kevin Mooney, Year: 1988)
  • “The Emperor’s New Clothes” (Writer: Sinead O’Connor, Year: 1990)
  • “Black Boys on Mopeds” (Writer: Sinead O’Connor, Year: 1990)
  • “The Last Day of Our Acquaintance” (Writer: Sinead O’Connor, Year: 1990)
  • “Fire on Babylon” (Writer: Sinead O’Connor, Year: 1994)
  • “This Is to Mother You” (Writer: Sinead O’Connor, Year: 1997)
  • “No Man’s Woman” (Writer: Sinead O’Connor, Anne Preven, Scott Cutler, Year: 2000)
  • “Jealous” (Writer: Sinead O’Connor, Year: 2012)
  • “Molly Malone” (Writer: Traditional Irish Folk Song, Year: 1987)
  • “Jump in the River” (Writer: Sinead O’Connor, Marco Pirroni, Year: 1987)
  • “I Am Stretched on Your Grave” (Writer: Philip King, Frank O’Connor, Year: 1990)
  • “Three Babies” (Writer: Sinead O’Connor, Year: 1990)
  • “Red Football” (Writer: Sinead O’Connor, Year: 1994)
  • “Thank You for Hearing Me” (Writer: Sinead O’Connor, Year: 1994)
  • “Healing Room” (Writer: Sinead O’Connor, Year: 1997)
  • “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” (Writer: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice, Year: 2000)
  • “The Wolf Is Getting Married” (Writer: Sinead O’Connor, Year: 2012)

After abjuring conventional stardom for most of her career – some never forgave her for ripping up a picture of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live in 1992 – the Dubliner had enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent years.

Some of her later works include “Sean-Nós Nua” (2002), “Throw Down Your Arms” (2005), and “I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss” (2014). O’Connor has undergone significant religious changes during her life. She was ordained as a priest in the Irish Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church in 1999, later identifying as a Muslim in 2018, and then as a Christian in 2019.

In 2021 she published a memoir, Rememberings, detailing childhood abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother – who died in a car accident in 1985 – as well as her troubled school years, kleptomania, pop stardom, breakups, and mental ill health.

It wasn’t just that she was unique looking – her willingness to speak what she believed to be the truth forged a new path for women in the music industry to be as close to their true selves as they could possibly be.

Fachtna Ó Ceallaigh, who managed O’Connor from 1986 to 1990

In 2021, she announced her retirement from music and touring, writing that she’d “gotten older” and was “tired.” Days later, though, she reversed course, saying, “I love my job. Making music that is. I don’t like the consequences of being a talented (and outspoken woman) being that I have to wade through walls of prejudice every day to make a living.”

Throughout her career, O’Connor has been praised for her powerful vocal range and her willingness to tackle sensitive and controversial topics through her music. Sinead O’Connor died at the age of 56, Irish media quoted her family as saying on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare. Condolences to her family, her friends and all who loved her music.

The taoiseach[1], Leo Varadkar (the head of government, or prime minister, of Ireland)
Footnotes
  1. A Taoiseach is the head of government in the Republic of Ireland, similar to the role of a Prime Minister in other parliamentary systems. The term “Taoiseach” comes from the Irish language and translates to “chief” or “leader.” The Taoiseach is appointed by the President of Ireland and is usually the leader of the political party or coalition that holds the majority in the lower house of the Irish parliament, known as Dáil Éireann. The Taoiseach’s main responsibilities include leading the executive branch of the government, setting policies, representing the country internationally, and overseeing the implementation of laws. They work closely with the other members of the government and are accountable to the Irish parliament. The Taoiseach’s role is crucial in shaping Ireland’s domestic and foreign policies and ensuring the effective functioning of the government. [Back]
Further Reading
Sources

Author: Doyle

I was born in Atlanta, moved to Alpharetta at 4, lived there for 53 years and moved to Decatur in 2016. I've worked at such places as Richway, North Fulton Medical Center, Management Science America (Computer Tech/Project Manager) and Stacy's Compounding Pharmacy (Pharmacy Tech).

Leave a Reply

%d bloggers like this: