Celebrating Shuhada Sadaqat aka Sinéad O'Connor, 8th December 1966 to 26th July 2023.
So much has been written about her in the hours since her passing, that I feel that there's nothing meaningful that I can add, other than she was an inspiration, fierce and defiant and passionate in the face of criticism, abuse and attack. I was heartbroken as she endured so many tragedies and low points and I hope she is now at rest, in peace, in power.
Although she changed her name several times, most recently in 2019, she continued to perform as Sinéad O'Connor. I only have a smattering of songs across her long and varied career, which is represented by the possibly more obscure choices on this selection. Twelve songs, half and half solo and collaborations, just over an hour and ending with an epic 13-minute remix of Fire On Babylon.
I have the album version of Nothing Compares 2 U (and a pretty dire Art Of Compilation remix from 1991), but I've included a 2019 performance on Irish TV which is the 'newest' song on this selection. The oldest - Heroine with The Edge from U2 - predates her debut album and appeared on the soundtrack to 1986 film Captive.
Shuhada Sadaqat has departed, but Sinéad O'Connor will live on through her music and the comfort, power and joy it's brought to so many.
1) What Your Soul Sings (Album Version): Massive Attack ft. Sinéad O'Connor (2003)
2) I Am Stretched On Your Grave (Apple Brightness Mix By Super DJ Dmitry & Jungle DJ Towa Towa) (Cover of 17th century Irish poem): Sinéad O'Connor (1990)
3) The Value Of Ignorance: Sinéad O'Connor (1990)
4) I Would Die 4 U (Cover of Prince & The Revolution): Radio Riddler ft. Sinéad O'Connor (2014)
5) Dense Water, Deeper Down: Sinéad O'Connor (2014)
6) Empire: Bomb The Bass ft. Sinéad O'Connor & Benjamin Zephaniah (1995)
7) Heroine (Theme From 'Captive'): The Edge & Michael Brook ft. Sinéad O'Connor (1986)
8) I Want Your (Hands On Me) (Street Mix By Audio Two): Sinéad O'Connor ft. MC Lyte (1988)
9) Very Far From Home: Sinéad O'Connor (2012)
10) Nothing Compares 2 U (Live @ The Late Late Show, RTÉ One) (Cover of The Family): Sinéad O'Connor (2019)
11) Kindgom Of Rain: The The ft. Sinéad O'Connor (1989)
12) Fire On Babylon (Remix By John Reynolds): Sinéad O'Connor ft. Abdel Ali Slimani (1994)
1986: Captive OST: 7
1988: I Want Your (Hands On Me) EP: 8
1989: Mind Bomb: 11
1990: The Emperor's New Clothes EP: 2
1990: Three Babies EP: 3
1994: Thank You For Hearing Me EP: 12
1995: Clear: 6
2003: 100th Window: 1
2012: How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?: 9
2014: I'm Not Bossy, I'm The Boss: 5
2014: Purple Reggae: 4
2019: Live On The Late Late Show: 10
