I just read Sinéad O'Connor's new memoir ("Rememberings"). For those of you too young to know, Sinéad was an Irish singer-songwriter who sky-rocketed to fame in the late 1980s. She had a worldwide hit song in 1990, "Nothing Compares 2 U." The song was accompanied by an arresting music-video featuring Sinéad singing with a shaved head. Back then, baldness was a radical, almost unknown choice for women.
Sinéad is still alive (54 years old). Three years ago she converted to Islam and changed her name to Shuhada' Sadaqat.
Sinéad had a horrible childhood, full of abuse and neglect. She was sent to an asylum at age 15 and forced to live with tortured mentally ill patients ("I have never — and probably will never — experience such panic and terror and agony over anything").
Music was a salvation for her, but fame was a curse. Like Amy Winehouse and Britney Spears, Sinéad was simultaneously celebrated and tormented by a global public. People seemed as interested in destroying Sinéad as feting her.
In 1990, Sinéad was criticised for saying she would not perform if the U.S. national anthem was played before her concerts. In response, Frank Sinatra threatened to "kick her in the ass."
Sinéad's most famous act occurred in 1992; it's so well-known it was later parodied by Madonna (who considered Sinéad a competitor). Appearing as the musical guest on "Saturday Night Live," Sinéad sang Bob Marley's song "War" as a protest against the sexual abuse of children in the Catholic Church. She then presented a photograph of Pope John Paul II while singing the word "evil" and tore the photo into pieces, urging us to "fight the real enemy." This happened nine years before the Pope publicly acknowledged widespread sexual abuse in the Church.
In response, the world ripped Sinéad to shreds, declaring her unfit to be an entertainer. The damage to her career was immense and irrevocable. On SNL the following week, host Joe Pesci held up the photo and said he had taped it back together which got huge applause. Pesci also said that if he had been on the show when it happened, "I would have gave her such a smack." Back then, threatening to beat women for voicing unpopular opinions was culturally acceptable.
The best part of the new book is getting Sinéad's take on this. She believes the controversy had the opposite effect of what's commonly assumed: ""I feel that having a No. 1 record derailed my career and my tearing the photo put me on the right track." "Everyone wants a pop star, see? But I am a protest singer. I just had stuff to get off my chest. I had no desire for fame."
Sinéad is due for a cultural re-appraisal. Our society has evolved in the past 30 years and ought to take a new look at her history and music.
What an interesting story and sad childhood...
ReplyDeletehave a great week,
S
Thanks. You, too.
DeleteI heard her talking on the radio the other day. I never really knew anything about her when I was growing up as I hated most pop music as a child and it was only in my later teens that a few bands like Take That and Indy bands such as Blur made me like more types of music so most things passed me by. I had no idea about all the controversy so thsnks for educating me!
ReplyDeleteIt was A BIG DEAL back then. The amount of hatred thrown at her was troubling.
DeleteSinead has been through so much in her life. It is good she is telling her side of the story as writing things down can be therapeutic. I think I read a review of this book somewhere else as well. Fame is definitely a dangerous thing. I think people with mental problems are especially vulnerable to pressures of fame. Moreover, I think many managers in the music/entertainment business take advantage of singers and prefer not to get them the help they need. The whole entertainment industry is filled with abuse scandals and issues. This industry often prays on troubled individuals to entertain the masses. Unfortunately, this means that those with means to seek mental health rarely do because they are controlled by their managers and or the pressures of the public/fame. Anyhow, she seems to have gotten some help finally. She still doesn't seem well. With her condition, continual mental support is crucial. I hope she gets all help she needs.
ReplyDeleteYes to everything you say.
DeleteI have only marginally followed Sinéad after her initial success, but her version of Nothing Compares 2 U, and the accompanying video still chills me to the bone. Perhaps this is aided by the bittersweet memories I'm having of that time in my life. Nevertheless, should her memoirs cross my path in the charity shops one day, I'll be sure to pick it up! xxx
ReplyDeleteThe book is actually funny in parts. She tells sad stories but with a surprising sense of humor.
DeleteSo many artists lead tortured lives, either from past trauma or mental illness. It's amazing that Sinead was able to pull herself out of a horrific past and rise to an artistic peak, but such a shame that the world lagged so far behind her in terms of exposing corruption. Not to mention the culturally-acceptable thinking that it's okay to threaten to "smack" women. Oh my gawd.
ReplyDeleteLove her music - we have a few of her albums. She's a great singer.
Yes, and her voice is still good. She has a new album coming out.
DeleteI definitely remember her for her shaved head, though I was too young for most of her spotlight-pop singer time.
ReplyDeleteSometimes people who have a rough start use their life to make big statements. It takes serious guts.
I remember all of this—the shaved head, the tortured voice, the ripping of the pope, Joe Pesci. I didn’t understand the full impact of it now but it makes me sad she was so misunderstood back then.
ReplyDelete“Nothing Compares to You” was actually written by Prince and I recently heard the Chris Cornell version too which is so deeply moving but different entirely.
*i mean I didn’t understand it then
DeleteI remember all of this and look who was right all along.
ReplyDeleteIt's not always easy being first to say the things no one wants to hear. I'll have to check out her biography.
Karen @For What It's Worth
Insightly said, my friend. I concur and very much hope that cultural reappraisal is able to happen in her lifetime.
ReplyDeleteAutumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life
Not all artists manage to get that recognition.
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