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Sinead O’Connor has died

irishtimes.com

201–210 of 308 posts

Re: Sinead O’Connor has died

#201
post #39

The first time I heard the song -- and saw the video -- to "Nothing Compares 2 U" and the screen is nothing but her face and at one point there are tears, and she blares that unreal voice, I think I stopped breathing. She will be missed.

Nothing Compares 2 U reliably induces frisson/goosebumps in me. Rare that a cover can match a Prince original: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nothing_Compares_2_U

Not so rare.

https://www.shortlist.com/news/the-14-best-covers-of-prince-...

Re: Sinead O’Connor has died

#204

> She refused the playing of US national anthem before her concerts, drawing further public scorn. Was this a thing?! A good episode of "You're Wrong About..." covers the controversy of her: https://open.spotify.com/episode/265qKOV5C7XBqlyXMjp7VF https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/sin%C3%A9ad-oconnor-wi...

I used to refuse to stand for the pledge of allegiance in high school and get threatened with being beat up, I guess it was a thing at the time.

> I used to refuse to stand for the pledge of allegiance in high school

I almost never participate in saying the Pledge of Allegiance. I took the constitutionally-prescribed oath* in the Navy (I'm a third-generation veteran) and also as a lawyer, and I pigheadedly feel that society doesn't get to keep demanding more and more proof of my patriotism and fidelity, thank you very much — that way lies trouble, as we've seen happen elsewhere.

* To support and defend the Constitution of the United States

Re: Sinead O’Connor has died

#208
I have known about her since Nothing Compares 2 U, but not known that much else about her career since then. I thought she was kind of a one hit wonder, as talented as she were she never got another hit close to as successful as that one. Do you think this is an unfair description?

Re: Sinead O’Connor has died

#209

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow! The thing that surprised me most about this was it’s a Bob Dylan tribute concert? I’m shocked religion still had such a hold on the kind of people attending that type of concert at that point in time. The volume is insane. Incredible strength to be able to stand and take such abuse and continue to perform.

I think it speaks less to people's religious feelings and more towards the rather apolitical and apathetic alternative music culture at the time. If I recall the atmosphere at the time it was less "how dare she say that about the Pope?!" and more "how dare she co-opt the public stage for controversial/'political' speech?!" I also don't recall the outrage at her SNL performance even being particularly or especially by…

I hope none of that audience ever goes to see Anne Clark then.

Re: Sinead O’Connor has died

#210

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> "how dare she co-opt the public stage for controversial/'political' speech?!" i don't know if the religious or the apolitical/centrists are worse.

It's also important to remember how different that era of broadcast TV is from today though. It was far more centralized. Pre-streaming services, obviously, but also less penetration of cable and satellite TV, and so when something made it onto live broadcast television, there was a large audience, and they didn't have as many choices about what to watch, instead. So to get yourself onto live television in a popular…

They were directing their anger at the wrong person.
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