- The iconic Irish songstress Sinéad O’Connor passed away this week at the age of 56.
- In the groundbreaking 2022 documentary “Nothing Compares,” O’Connor revealed that she turned to music as a form of therapy.
- Throughout her illustrious career, she consistently rejected societal expectations of femininity and the conventional image of a pop star.
Sinéad O’Connor, the incomparable artist, passed away this week at the age of 56.
Renowned for her timeless hit “Nothing Compares 2 U,” O’Connor was not only a musical prodigy but also an early advocate for gender equality and women’s rights. As her influence grew, she fearlessly used her platform to address vital issues such as reproductive freedom, white supremacy, and the pressing problem of child abuse.
Undoubtedly, O’Connor’s illustrious career was marred by controversy and backlash, notably after she tore a photo of Pope John Paul II during a live performance on “SNL” in 1992 as a protest against the systemic abuses within the Catholic Church.
Having grown up in a strict and conservative Catholic environment in Ireland, O’Connor had a deeply personal connection to her protest.
In the captivating 2022 documentary “Nothing Compares,” O’Connor bravely shared the harrowing experiences of physical, verbal, and emotional abuse she endured at the hands of her mother. According to her, the violence was a direct result of the church’s influence and the adverse social conditions her mother had experienced.
In a poignant voiceover, O’Connor expressed, “My mother was a beast, and I was able to soothe her with my voice. I could use my voice to lull the devil to sleep.”
O’Connor further revealed that her abuse was compounded by a culture of silence, preventing her from addressing and healing from her trauma. This ultimately propelled her towards a career in music.
She explained, “There was no therapy available during my upbringing. So, I turned to music as my form of therapy. It was a shock for me to then become a pop star. That was never my intention. I just wanted to scream.”
O’Connor’s defiant and rebellious nature became the guiding force in her career. When she was writing and recording her debut album, “The Lion and the Cobra” in 1987, her record label intended to mold her into a generic female pop star. In response, she boldly shaved her head.
Recalling the experience, she stated, “They wanted me to grow my hair long, wear short skirts and high heels, and conform to societal expectations. They wanted me to write songs that wouldn’t challenge anything. However, I come from a country where riots erupted over plays. That’s what true art is for.”
She added, “I simply knew that I didn’t want any man dictating who I could be, what I could become, or how I should sound.”
The original cover of “The Lion and the Cobra” captures O’Connor mid-scream. However, when the album was released in the US, the cover photo was changed to a more subdued image of her with eyes half-open, mouth closed, and hands crossed over her chest.
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