American singer-songwriter Prince is regarded as one of the most powerful names in pop music. He was a pioneer who pushed the boundaries of music by experimenting with different groups and sounds. He is known for changing his name, playing with genre and gender, and blurring previously clear lines. Throughout his prolific career, he released enough hit songs to satisfy listeners. Tracks like “Purple Rain,” “When Doves Cry,” “Kiss,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” and “Raspberry Beret” are among the songs frequently associated with his fans. However, there is another major success that Prince is responsible for; this song made just as much of an impact as his other hits but with one significant difference: Prince isn’t the one singing it.

In 1984, Prince wrote a new song and recorded a demo. At the time, he felt that this track didn’t fit his style and gave it to The Family, a short-lived funk group he formed as part of his own record label, Paisley Park Records. The group included this song on their self-titled debut and only album in 1985. However, the album performed poorly enough to be pulled from the market within a few years. The Family disbanded, and the album faded into obscurity. Prince moved on to more successful projects. It wouldn’t have surprised anyone if this song had been lost to time; however, on the other side of the world, this song would be given a second chance. In 1989, Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor was recording a new album, and her manager suggested doing a cover of a song that had failed a few years earlier. Thus, Sinéad O’Connor famously recorded “Nothing Compares 2 U.”

“Nothing Compares 2 U” appeared on O’Connor’s second studio album, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got. O’Connor added an emotional depth to this song that was absent in The Family’s original version. Her extraordinary vocal performance and willingness to showcase her vulnerability transformed the song into something entirely new. The world loved what they heard. The song unexpectedly garnered international attention and became O’Connor’s most popular track. Many believed that O’Connor’s instant connection with the song’s sorrowful lyrics was related to a breakup she experienced during the recording process; this breakup was the end of her romantic relationship with the manager who introduced her to “Nothing Compares 2 U.” The song became the perfect launching pad for O’Connor.