Jump to content

Nothing Compares 2 U

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Nothing Compares to You)

"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]
Studio
GenrePop[3]
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
Audio sample

"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.

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]

Pre-production for the song was done at Hooper's house. Hooper enlisted Gota Yashiki, with whom he'd previously worked on Soul II Soul's debut studio album, to do arranging and programming of instrument and drum tracks for the song. Yashiki utilized an Atari ST computer running C-Lab Notator sequencing software and an Akai S1100 sampler. After recording sessions moved to Britannia Row Studios, live drum parts were overdubbed and the cello part, provided by the Akai sampler, was finalized.[2]

O'Connor's vocals were recorded in a single take, then double-tracked with another subsequent take, using an AKG C414B-ULS large-diaphragm condenser microphone. Per the singer's demands, absolutely no compression was to be utilized on her vocals.[2]

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]

Reception

[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 a 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 a 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 released other live versions of the song on his concert film Rave Un2 the Year 2000, and on 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 38th 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 "Nothing Compares 2 U".
  • On May 4th 2016, 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 father 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]
  • In 2020, 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]
  • Country artist Jon Pardi covered the song on his album Rancho Fiesta Sessions in 2020.
  • It was included at number 184 by Rolling Stone in its 2021 update list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".[59]
  • 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. During the performance she had a tear painted on her cheek in homage to a similar scene in the song's music video.[60] 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. The statement was also seen as a tribute to O'Connor's political outspokenness.[61]

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)[112] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[113] Platinum 50,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[114] Gold 45,000
Germany (BVMI)[115] Gold 250,000^
Italy (FIMI)[116]
sales since 2009
Gold 35,000
Netherlands 175,000[117]
New Zealand (RMNZ)[118] Platinum 30,000
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[119] Platinum 60,000
Sweden (GLF)[120] Platinum 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[123]
1990 sales + post 1994 sales
Platinum 1,457,384[121][122]
United States (RIAA)[124]
1990 sales
Platinum 1,000,000^
United States
digital sales
1,015,608[125]
Summaries
Worldwide
1990 sales
3,500,000[126]

* 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]
  1. ^ "BPI".
  2. ^ a b c Buskin, Richard (February 2012). "Classic Tracks: Sinéad O'Connor 'Nothing Compares 2 U'". Sound On Sound. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  3. ^ Gilbert, Sophie (April 21, 2015). "How 'Nothing Compares 2 U' Endured". The Atlantic. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  4. ^ "Search Results". Billboard Music Awards. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Listen to Prince's Original Version of "Nothing Compares 2 U"". Pitchfork. April 19, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  6. ^ Prince; Sinead, O'Connor (August 2, 2010). "Nothing Compares 2 U". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinéad O'Connor Songfacts". Songfacts.com.
  8. ^ Laurence, Rebecca. "Prince's heartbreaking song about loss".
  9. ^ "Gina Riley - Nothing is There!!! From Fast Forward". YouTube. April 21, 2009. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  10. ^ "Best selling albums & singles of 1990". Melody Maker. Vol. 67, no. 1. January 5, 1991. p. 2.
  11. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 28 July 2023 - 3 August 2023". Official Charts. July 28, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  12. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart on 28/7/2023 28 July 2023 - 3 August 2023". Official Charts. July 28, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  13. ^ Sholin, Dave (March 9, 1990). "Gavin Picks > Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. No. 1797. p. 52. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  14. ^ Cleesattle, Jodi (April 2, 1990). "Pain, power essence of O'Connor's voice". American Eagle. p. 15.
  15. ^ Coleman, Bill (March 10, 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 91. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  16. ^ Hardy, Ernest (March 31, 1990). "Pop Reviews: Albums" (PDF). Cashbox. p. 18. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  17. ^ Sandow, Greg (March 16, 1990). "I Do not Want What I Haven't Got". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  18. ^ Moon, Tom (March 23, 1990). "Sinead O'Connor produces a stunning second album". Spokane Chronicle. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  19. ^ "Sinead O'Connor "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got"". Los Angeles Times. March 18, 1990. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  20. ^ Push (January 6, 1990). "Singles". Melody Maker. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  21. ^ "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. February 3, 1990. p. 16. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  22. ^ Giles, David (January 13, 1990). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  23. ^ "Musical Memories of 1990" (PDF). The Network Forty. December 21, 1990. p. 6. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  24. ^ Brown, James (January 20, 1990). "Singles". NME. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  25. ^ Doyle, Tom (March 7, 1990). "Review: LPs". Smash Hits. No. 294. p. 55. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  26. ^ Lamb, Bill (September 7, 2019). "The Best 100 Songs From the 1990s". About.com. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  27. ^ "Sinéad O'Connor's 'I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got' Turns 30: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  28. ^ Huey, Steve. "Sinéad O'Connor - I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got". AllMusic. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  29. ^ Ewing, Tom (October 29, 2010). "Sinead O'Connor – "Nothing Compares 2 U"". Freaky Trigger. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ Richardson, Mark (April 24, 2009). "Sinéad O'Connor: I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got (Limited Edition)". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  32. ^ "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.
  33. ^ 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.
  34. ^ "Prince Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  35. ^ "Hot R&B Singles". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 3. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. January 15, 1994. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved October 3, 2021 – via Google Books.
  36. ^ "Prince Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2021 – via Billboard.com.
  37. ^ "Prince Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2021 – via Billboard.com.
  38. ^ Nothing Compares 2 U (limited edition 7" single) (Media notes). 2018.
  39. ^ "Prince - Nothing Compares 2 U [OFFICIAL VIDEO]". YouTube. April 19, 2018. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021.
  40. ^ 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.
  41. ^ "Prince Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2021 – via Billboard.com.
  42. ^ "Prince Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2021 – via Billboard.com.
  43. ^ Tudahl, Duane (2018). Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions: 1983 and 1984 (Expanded ed.). Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781538116432.
  44. ^ "Yamaha DX7". guitarcloud.org. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  45. ^ "Q - 1001 best songs ever (2003)". Muzieklijstjes.nl. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  46. ^ "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. No. 963. December 9, 2004. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
  47. ^ 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.
  48. ^ "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.
  49. ^ "The Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs (80-71)".
  50. ^ "'Tightrope' | 100 Greatest Popular Songs: TIME List of Best Music". Time. October 21, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  51. ^ "100 Singli 1990-1999". Porcys (in Polish). August 20, 2012. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  52. ^ Trust, Gary (May 3, 2016). "Billboard". Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  53. ^ "CHRIS CORNELL: 'PRINCE's Music Is The Soundtrack To The Soulful And Beautiful Universe He Created'". Blabbermouth. April 22, 2016.
  54. ^ "Chris Cornell and his daughter cover Prince's 'Nothing Compares 2 U': Stream". Consequence. June 17, 2018.
  55. ^ Grow, Kory (December 11, 2020). "Chris Cornell's Historic Voice and Great Ear Take Center Stage on the Covers LP, 'No One Sings Like You Anymore'". rollingstone.com.
  56. ^ Osborn, Jacob (April 30, 2019). "Best 90s pop songs". Stacker. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  57. ^ Aroesti, Rachel (May 21, 2020). "The 100 greatest UK No 1s: No 12, Sinéad O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U". The Guardian. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  58. ^ Smith, Tony L. (October 21, 2020). "Every No. 1 song of the 1990s ranked from worst to best". Cleveland.com. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  59. ^ "500 Best Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. September 15, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  60. ^ Madarang, Charisma; Grow, Kory (February 5, 2024). "Tony Bennett, Sinead O'Connor, Tina Turner Honored During In Memoriam at 2024 Grammys". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  61. ^ Nichols, John (February 6, 2024). "And the Winner Is… Annie Lennox and Artists for Cease-Fire". The National. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  62. ^ "Sinéad O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  63. ^ "Sinéad O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  64. ^ "Sinéad O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  65. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9051." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  66. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9135." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  67. ^ a b "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 12. March 24, 1990. p. 11. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  68. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 9. March 3, 1990. p. 13. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  69. ^ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
  70. ^ "Sinéad O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U" (in French). Les classement single.
  71. ^ "Íslenski Listinn (1990)" (in Icelandic). Dagblaðið Vísir. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 11, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  72. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Nothing Compares 2 U". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  73. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 7, 1990" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  74. ^ "Sinéad O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  75. ^ "Sinéad O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U". Top 40 Singles.
  76. ^ "Sinéad O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U". VG-lista.
  77. ^ "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 32. August 11, 1990. p. 10. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  78. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  79. ^ "Sinéad O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U". Singles Top 100.
  80. ^ "Sinéad O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U". Swiss Singles Chart.
  81. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  82. ^ "Sinead O'Connor Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  83. ^ "Sinead O'Connor Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  84. ^ "Sinead O'Connor Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
  85. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Sinéad O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  86. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  87. ^ "Sinéad O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U". Tracklisten.
  88. ^ "Sinead O'Connor Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  89. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  90. ^ "Media Forest charts". Media Forest. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  91. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  92. ^ "Sinéad O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  93. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  94. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  95. ^ "Sinead O'Connor Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  96. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1990". ARIA. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  97. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1990" (in German). Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  98. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1990" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  99. ^ "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  100. ^ "RPM Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1990". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  101. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1990" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 51. December 22, 1990. p. 36. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  102. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahreschart 1990" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  103. ^ "Single top 100 over 1990" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
  104. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1990" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  105. ^ "End of Year Charts 1990". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  106. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1990" (in German). Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  107. ^ "1990 Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England: Spotlight Publications. March 2, 1991. p. 41.
  108. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1990". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  109. ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  110. ^ 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 & Hot 100 Singles of the '90s". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  111. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  112. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1990 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  113. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Sinead O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  114. ^ "Danish single certifications – Sinead O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  115. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Sinéad O'Connor; 'Nothing Compares 2 U')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  116. ^ "Italian single certifications – Sinéad O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved May 17, 2021. Select "2021" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Nothing Compares 2 U" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  117. ^ 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.
  118. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Sinéad O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  119. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Sinéad O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  120. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  121. ^ Rob Copsey (May 14, 2021). "Official Top 30 best-selling songs of 1990". Official Charts. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  122. ^ Paine, Andre (July 31, 2023). "Sinéad O'Connor's Nothing Compares 2 U could go Top 20 for first time in 33 years". Music Week. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  123. ^ "British single certifications – Sinéad O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U". British Phonographic Industry.
  124. ^ "American single certifications – Sinéad O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  125. ^ "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.
  126. ^ "Sinead" (PDF). Music & Media. September 22, 1990. Retrieved October 10, 2019.