There was a moment of silence, broken only by the sound of whirring ventilation fans, as she paused. And when the song ended, there was an explosion of applause.
Sinéad O’Connor’s artistic life was filled with extraordinary moments like this. Witnessing her give her all in concert was a cherished privilege, especially now that we will never see her grace a stage again.
Undoubtedly, this Dubliner was one of the greatest artists to emerge from our country and a legendary figure in the world of music. While many are aware of her challenging childhood and the hurdles that fame brought, she leaves behind a rich, diverse, and enduring musical legacy that will stand the test of time as long as recorded music exists.
Her songs were as uncompromising as her character, and her voice remained incredible from beginning to end.
Sinéad was present in our lives throughout her entire musical career. Her stunning and raw debut album, The Lion and the Cobra, was released when she was only 20 years old in 1987. It was an audaciously confident album for someone so young, but she had a profound understanding of her exceptional talent, even though her inherent humility prevented her from boasting about it. However, she had every reason to, especially in an industry where lesser talents often self-promote relentlessly.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Sinéad O’Connor rarely missed a beat in the studio. Every time she collaborated with long-term partners like John Reynolds, she delivered gold – songs that not only stood the test of time but also gained depth with the passing years. Mandinka, Troy, Black Boys on Mopeds… all classic, original compositions that unmistakably embodied Sinéad.
With I Am Stretched On Your Grave, she took a 17th-century Irish poem and made it relevant to the modern world while preserving its strange, primal energy. It was a delicate balancing act that few could have achieved, but she did so effortlessly and with her unique touch.
She became a global superstar with her rendition of Prince’s song Nothing Compares 2 U in 1990, which reached the top of charts worldwide. Always aware of the importance of her performance, she shed real tears for John Maybury’s captivating music video, a piece that received constant airtime on MTV during the network’s heyday. Many predicted that the beautiful figure with the shaved head would become one of the biggest stars of the 1990s.
Sinead O’Connor in profile
However, O’Connor had little interest in following the conventional path to global success or playing the expected game of appeasing higher authorities.
She shocked many by tearing up a photo of Pope John Paul II during a televised performance of Bob Marley’s War. While her actions offended some in her home country, the outrage she faced in America was even more intense. Rebuilding her career there became a challenge, as many prominent figures in the music industry refused to defend her. Some, like Frank Sinatra, responded with aggressive hostility, outraged that she would not allow the US national anthem to be played before a show in New Jersey.
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