10 Sinéad O'Connor Songs We Love The Most

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Our top 10 Sinead O’Connor Songs we love the most looks back at the late Sinead O’Connor’s music loved most by fans. Sinead O’Connor kept a high profile since her rise to fame back in the late 80s. Digging deep into her emergence in the music world, Sinead O’Connor realized her super talent in the oppressive times of patriarchy, unemployment, and the church. Known for her expressive nature, the Irish singer had become since her debut one of the most talked-about artists. From ripping up the Pope’s photo on a live show to a face-off with Miley Cyrus, Sinead O’Connor might have seemed quite ridiculous to some. However, those who seek to understand why she did certain things will appreciate her spoken mind. The same clarity and vigor in speaking her mind is channeled through her expressive music. Here are the top 10 songs from Sinead O’Connor that her fans would have you take a listen to.

# 10 – Three Babies

Coming in at number 10 is a song inspired by Sinead O’Connor’s personal life. Quite painful it might have been for Sinead O’Connor to include Three Babies in her second studio album I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got. Sinead O’Connor admitted in an interview that she had a series of miscarriages at a point in life, something that most women will barely talk about in public. While the song might feel quite dull and slow, it’s a ballad that reminds us of struggles that women go through but barely talk about due to the shame that society has placed on the matter.

# 9 – You Made Me a Thief of Your Heart

Nothing feels better than putting together a great vocalist in the studio to do what she or he does best on lyrics written by a music prodigy. The song You Made Me a Thief of Your Heart was written by Bono, Gavin Friday, and Maurice Seezer specifically for a soundtrack to In the Name of the Father, a 1993 film. Included in Sinead O’Connor’s compilation album So Far… The Best Of, the song trended among the top 5 songs in Poland’s and Ireland’s music charts. The song was also significant in the UK and Finland, having its peak at number 42 and 19, respectively. Its moody melody and Irish influence add a touch of excellence to the music production, making it one of the best songs by Sinead O’Connor.

# 8 – Thank You for Hearing Me

Sinead O’Connor is a queen of expression that can be expressed no better to her than in music. Through her Thank You for Hearing Me hit song, Sinead O’Connor sprays the gratitude vibe to the aura for all. Probably the best way to have you thankful for whatever blessings you have in your life is by adding this song to your playlist and listening to it more often. The song appreciates the positive and negative things in our lives that we can perceive to be blessings in disguise.

# 7 – Troy

Making it in the list of Sinead O’Connor’s top ten songs is Troy, a ballad from her 1987 debut studio album The Lion and the Cobra. Still expressive about Sinead O’Connor, the song addresses her hometown, Dublin, as well as her mother, who met her death in a car accident back in 1985 when she was just 17. In the song, Sinead O’Connor claims to have been abused by her mother physically, mentally, and even sexually. However, her claims had been disputed by other members of her family who didn’t think that the mother would be so cruel to the daughter she sired. Troy is used metaphorically for the betrayal of Sinead by her mother.

# 6 – My Special Child

Hidden beneath the soft voice and slow tempo instrumental is My Special Child, another song by Sinead O’Connor expressing her journey of life. The song was inspired by an abortion that Sinead O’Connor had, having it come after she had three miscarriages. While she felt guilty and admitted that she wouldn’t be against or for abortion, Sinead O’Connor stated in an interview that she would love to see women have control over their bodies and choices. In this case, she chose the father of the child would not be available, something that would have hurt the child.

# 5 – The Emperor’s New Clothes

The Emperor’s New Clothes was a song remixed for featuring in the I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got. In this song, Sinead O’Connor works out the frustrations that are entangled with being an unmarried young mom in an Irish Catholic family. While the song deviates from most of her songs, Sinead O’Connor seemed to be seeking some success in the alternative rock sonic landscape of the times, that is, the early nineties.

# 4 – I Want Your (Hand on Me)

A song from Sinead O’Connor’s 1988 Lion and the Cobra album, I Want Your (Hand on Me), is one of Sinead O’Connor’s exceptional songs. The song’s outstanding bridge is something that you will love. Thanks to the blending of early 90s hip-hop and alternative rock, the song is quite a banger! The song appeared in the Miami Vice episode Borrasca, gaining traction as one of Sinead O’Connor’s best songs.

# 3 – No Man’s Woman

Recorded as the lead single in her 2000 fifth studio album Faith and Courage, the song’s lyrics are powerful and probably what pushed it to be great. Sinead O’Connor expresses her views on how she is fed up with being pushed around by men. She decrees herself to be an independent lady with a solid connection to her faith. The song has been used as a gay anthem since Sinead O’Connor came out as one. While her relationship life has been like a ride on a rollercoaster, the song’s impact is imprinted in the hearts of many to date. The song’s bridge utilizes remarkable Beatles-like chord changes and melody lines.

# 2 – Mandinka

“Mandinka” is a catchy tune by the talented Irish singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor, and it’s the second single off her first album, “The Lion and the Cobra,” which came out back in 1987. This song really made waves, hitting number 17 on the UK Singles Chart and even reaching the top ten in Ireland. Sinéad’s performance on “Late Night with David Letterman” marked her very first TV gig in the States, which was pretty exciting!

Digging a bit into the story behind the song, Sinéad shared in a chat with The Tech in April 1988 that “Mandinka” is inspired by the Mandinka people, an African tribe featured in Alex Haley’s novel “Roots.” She mentioned that to really get the song, diving into the book is a must.

As for how “Mandinka” did out there in the music world, it totally rocked the dance charts and became a beloved pop hit in various places. It made its mark in the UK and Ireland and danced its way into the hearts of folks in the Netherlands, Belgium, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. And following Sinéad’s passing in July 2023, “Mandinka” found its way back onto the charts, landing at number 32 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart Top 100, reminding everyone of its timeless appeal.

# 1- Nothing Compares 2 U

“Nothing Compares 2 U” is a heart-touching song that Prince originally penned for his band, the Family. It first graced our ears on their only album back in 1985, capturing the deep yearning of someone who’s lost their love.

The amazing Sinéad O’Connor gave this song a new life with her cover for her second album, “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got,” in 1990. Co-produced with the talented Nellee Hooper, her version quickly soared to the top of the charts worldwide, becoming an unforgettable hit. The music video, directed by John Maybury, was everywhere on MTV, capturing everyone’s hearts.

In a true testament to its global love, the song topped the charts in Ireland, Australia, Canada, the UK, the US, and many other countries. It went platinum in Austria and the UK, and gold in Germany and Sweden. Over in the States, it reigned at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks, and it was also a hit on the Billboard Alternative Songs and Adult Contemporary charts.

In 1990, Billboard honored it as the “#1 World Single” at their very first Billboard Music Awards. It was such a significant track that in 2019, it was ranked at number 97 in the Hot 100 60th-anniversary Top 600 list, celebrating hits from 1958 to 2018.

Following Sinéad’s passing in July 2023, the song beautifully resurfaced on the UK charts, reminding everyone of its timeless emotional resonance and Sinéad’s incredible talent. It’s a song that truly speaks to the soul, and its legacy continues to shine.