Today we are traveling to Dublin, Ireland to visit with singer-songwriter (and all-around badass musician, performer, and woman) SINEAD O'CONNOR.
Sinead O'Connor rose to fame in my college years (the eighties) with her debut album, The Lion and the Cobra. Songs like "Mandinka," "I Want Your (Hands On Me)," and "Troy" were popular on college radio, and she won a Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. O'Connor's second album, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got, included the massive international hit "Nothing Compares 2U," a song written by Prince that was perfect for her emotive, scorching voice. O'Connor went on to record seven more albums, including this year's How About I Be Me (and You Be You)? Twenty-five years later, as you can see from the performance we're viewing today, Sinead O'Connor still trumpets her signature sound, attitude, and energy.
Sinead O'Connor has lived at the center of significant controversy throughout her career, publicly denouncing the Catholic Church, speaking out against child abuse and war, and championing women's rights. She continues to address social issues in Ireland, and speaks openly about her own mental health diagnoses and in support of others struggling similarly. Her music and performance, however, rises above it all. Sinead O'Connor is a musical treasure in my view, and she is aging beautifully and with admirable ferocity.
Our song for today is "The Wolf Is Getting Married," from her latest album, and this is a wonderful live performance from the Graham Norton Show earlier this year. Please enjoy this incredible vocal performance from Sinead O'Connor and let her inspire you!
Your smile makes me
smile,
your laugh makes me laugh,
your joy gives me joy,
and your hope
gives me hope.
Even when something terrible is happening,
you laugh
and that's the thing I love
about you most of all.
(Editor's note: I love her. Can you tell? LOVE.)
Wow, Marian, this prompt is made for me, for sure! The title of the song, the topic, and fantastic human being Sinead - awesome. I will respond to this prompt, just not sure how and when, as am leaving town in the morning, home sunday night. But thanks for this prompt - it so toadally rocks!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy morning. Thanks for the amazing music! She has odd and interesting beliefs. I wrote her into a pantoun, combining your challenge with a form challenge at dVerse. I hope I hope I hope I "got" her and it.
ReplyDeleteMarian, this was a lovely tribute to Sinead. Not everyone's cup of tea (remember the outrage when she tore the picture of the Pope up onstage on TV?), but I love her ignoring the risk factor and speaking out. Did you know she wrote (and sang the original female part on) Peter Gabriel's most touching song, "Don't Give Up"? It's been in several movies, but that version is with the equally lovely and ethereal and quirky Kate Bush. Thanks so much! Amy
ReplyDeleteJust last Sunday, for the mini challenge, I had decided on using her song "Empire" to go with my form poem, but the form poem never turned out, so I didn't.
ReplyDeleteI love Sinead. I'm surprised, though, that she still has her hair shaved short. Her trademark, I suppose.
I have to work today, but will write something for this tonight!
Such a beautiful song for inspiration. Sinead's voice is as wonderful as ever.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this artist - her beauty is more than skin deep. I'm behind on challenges this week but will certainly be coming back for this one.
ReplyDeleteGreat song... I've always been a big fan of Sinead O'Connor.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marian....I really love her music! Great idea~
ReplyDeleteThis really got me inspired! Now I'm running late for my appointment!
ReplyDeletei love you, Toads! i'm on the run myself, first day of my vacation (or Sinead would say, first day of our acquaintance). so i haven't even written to my own prompt yet but i will, eventually. love the responses so far! and i managed to tempt Aimee to come over too (goddess in the machine) so be sure to check her out. yippee!
ReplyDeleteOh Marian! LOVE LOVE LOVE the video. The lyrics are exceptional. I am moved.
ReplyDeleteyou all should get the new album, it's every bit as fierce and wonderful as any of her older ones. i've listened to it for months and have now officially watched this performance like a hundred times, but i can't stop watching. she's incredible!
ReplyDeleteshay, i read something she said about her hair... you can find photos of her with it a bit longer, but she just stays with it shaved because it's hers. she said someone mistook her for enya so she shaved it again :)
amy? how could anyone forget that SNL? i was trying to stay away from the specifics and focus on her music, though i personally deeply admire her stance on that, then and now. and that she doesn't shy away. it's also worth looking up her grammy performance of "Mandinka" which i remember happening as though it was yesterday... this young. slight woman from Ireland, the same age as me, walks out on the stage by herself live at the televised grammies and just tears it down. i was (and still am) awestruck watching that. it's easy to find on youtube.
The Wolf is getting married is really good. She has a fabulous voice and vocal range. I am still a huge fan of her 'Nothing Compares' though.
ReplyDeleteGreat prompt Marian
I enjoyed writing in response to some of Sinead's words, Marian. Unlike most who wrote in response to the prompt, a wolf was nowhere to be found in my poem.
ReplyDeleteI hope to post something Monday... I have busy weekend with company visiting.
ReplyDeleteOh, this was just what I needed tonight!! Thank you, Marian, I have been in youtube land just soaking up Sinead...LOVE her also!! I have and love to listen to "Faith and Courage."
ReplyDeleteMy poem kinda turned out random...not about wolves at all but suddenly goats came to mind and...well you'll see! ;)
Please DJ yourselves a favour and buy her first three albums they're perfect...amazing wisdom in her but people don't appreciate her fully yet, she is a prophet.
ReplyDeleteRosemary
golly but the poems you all are writing are so interesting and varied! and also? it is challenging to write to challenges on vacation. i'm still working on my own! i'll keep checking back for more, keep em coming! love love love.
ReplyDeleteI will be back on Sunday to comment on everyone's entries. I have quite a bit of back reading to do! Just got back from vacation and having company this weekend. Thanks for the prompt, Marian. I never would write half of what I do if it wasn't for this Imaginary Garden of Toads! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm like Margaret, today (Sunday) will be my first chance to make the rounds. I'm really looking forward to it! Marian, this challenge is my favorite of all of yours so far. And what you said about the new music intrigues me. I'm all over it! There are several of the older singers still recording killer stuff, but they don't get air play.
ReplyDeletePS--YOU rock for saving our linkys!
ReplyDeletei'm assuming everyone figured out where to find our Toad Link? pretty obvious but let me know if anyone needs help.
ReplyDeleteglad you all liked Sinead! GO GET THE NEW ALBUM. this advice is my gift to you :)