Nothing Compares 2 U Lyrics
It's been seven hours and thirteen days
Since you took your love away
I go out every night and sleep all day
Since you took your love away
Since you've been gone I can do whatever I want
I can see whomever I choose
I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant
But nothing, I said nothing can take away these blues
[Chorus]
'Cause nothing compares
No, nothing compares to you
Nothing, nothing
[Verse 2]
It's been so lonely without you here
Like a bird without a song
Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling
Tell me, baby, where did I go wrong?
I could put my arms around every girl I see
But they'd only remind me of you
I went to the doctor and guess what he told me
Guess what he told me
He said, "Boy, you better try to have fun no matter what you do"
But he's a fool
'Cause nothing compares
No, nothing compares to you
Nothing, nothing
[Interlude]
[Bridge]
All the flowers that you planted, mama, in the backyard
All died when you went away
I know that living with me, baby, was some kind of hard
But I'm willing to give it another try
[Chorus]
'Cause nothing compares
No, nothing compares to you
I said nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
About
This previously unreleased version was recorded in 1984, six years before 1990’s classic reimagining by Sinéad O'Connor and before Prince started performing the song live. The track was recorded at the Flying Cloud Drive ‘Warehouse’ in Eden Prairie by Prince’s long-time engineer Susan Rogers, and originally composed, arranged and performed in its entirety by Prince, aside from the backing vocals by Susannah Melvoin and Paul “St. Paul” Peterson. Also featured on the original track is saxophone work by Eric Leeds.
As remembered by Michael Howe, long-time industry A&R executive, Prince expert, and the Prince Estate’s official Vault Archivist
I spotted the 2" multitrack reel in the Vault some weeks back while doing a 1984-era inventory. After retrieving my jaw from the floor, we took the reel upstairs, analyzed it, put it up on the Studer 24 track machine, and digitized it to 24/192. Even our ‘faders up’ rough mix was compelling enough to indicate that this was something very special indeed.No Prince-penned song performed by another artist has enjoyed more chart success (#1 in over a dozen countries) and overall cultural impact than Sinead O'Connor’s 1990 recording, so hearing the song in its original context performed in its entirety by the author makes it particularly noteworthy.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
Susan Rogers, the engineer, said that the song was not romantic, but instead was about Prince’s housekeeper and personal assistant, Sandy Scipioni, who left Prince to be with her family after her father died of a heart attack.
- 1.Sex Shooter
- 2.Jungle Love
- 3.Manic Monday
- 5.Make-Up
- 6.100 MPH
- 8.Holly Rock
- 15.Nothing Compares 2 U
