Nothing Compares 2 U

"Nothing Compares 2 U" is a 1990 song by Irish singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor from her second studio album, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got (1990). Written by American musician Prince and co-produced by O'Connor and Nellee Hooper, "Nothing Compares 2 U" is a pop song with lyrics expressing an abandoned lover's feelings of longing.

Prince originally conceived "Nothing Compares 2 U" for his band the Family, and the first version was recorded in 1984 for their self-titled debut album (1985). O' Connor's rendition was released as a single in early 1990 by Chrysalis Records and became a worldwide hit. Its accompanying music video, directed by John Maybury, received heavy rotation on MTV. In December 1990, Billboard magazine named "Nothing Compares 2 U" the "#1 World Single" of 1990 at its first Billboard Music Awards. It was the second-best-selling single of 1990 in the UK and the third-best-selling song for 1990 in the US.

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

"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.

Recording

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.