Since then, while maintaining her singing career, she has occasionally encountered controversy, partly due to her statements and gestures—such as her ordination as a priest despite being a woman with a Roman Catholic background—and her strongly expressed views on organised religion, women's rights, war, and child abuse.
In addition to her ten solo albums her work includes many singles, songs for films, collaborations with many other artists and appearances at charity fundraising concerts.
Since converting to Islam in 2018 she has changed her name to Shuhada Sadaqat.
In December 2019 she gave her first UK concert in five years at the Shepherd's Bush Empire, London.
On 26 July 2023, O'Connor's family issued a statement that she had died at the age of 56, without indicating the date or cause.
In the statement, the singer’s family said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
The acclaimed Dublin performer released 10 studio albums, while her song “Nothing Compares 2 U” was named the number one world single in 1990 by the Billboard Music Awards. Her version of the ballad, written by musician Prince, topped the charts around the globe and earned her three Grammy nominations.
The Emperor's New Clothes
Sinéad O'Connor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While I wrecked the bedroom
You said it was dangerous after Sunday
And I knew you loved me
He thinks I just became famous
And that's what messed me up
But he's wrong
How could I possibly know what I want
There's millions of people
To offer advice and say how I should be
But they're twisted
And they will never be any influence on me
But you will always be
You will always be
If I treated you mean
I really didn't mean to
But you know how it is
And how a pregnancy can change you
I see plenty of clothes that I like
But I won't go anywhere nice for a while
All I want to do is just sit here
And write it all down and rest for a while
I can't bear to be in another city
One where you are not
I would return to nothing without you
If I'm your girlfriend or not
Maybe I was mean
But I really don't think so
You asked if I'm scared
And I said so
Everyone can see what's going on
They laugh 'cause they know they're untouchable
Not because what I said was wrong
Whatever it may bring
I will live by my own policies
I will sleep with a clear conscience
I will sleep in peace
Maybe it sounds mean
But I really don't think so
You asked for the truth and I told you
Through their own words
They will be exposed
They got a severe case of
The emperor's new clothes
The emperor's new clothes
The emperor's new clothes
The emperor's new clothes
The Emperor's New Clothes by Sinéad O'Connor is a song that expresses the mixed emotions that come with fame and success. The opening lines imply that the singer feels guilty for neglecting her partner and child while pursuing her career ambition. She acknowledges the impact that fame has had on her personal life and confesses to feeling lost and unsure of her true desires. She expresses her frustration towards people who impose their opinions on her and claims that she will always be true to herself.
Throughout the song, she references the fable of The Emperor's New Clothes, where the emperor is conned into wearing invisible clothes by two weavers who convince him that only the wise can see them. Everyone pretends to see the clothes out of fear of being portrayed as foolish, except a child who points out the truth. O'Connor uses this analogy to critique the music industry's conformity and superficiality, where artists are pressured to conform to certain standards and expectations to remain relevant. She suggests that the industry elites are the weavers who convince artists to follow their trends, while the masses pretend to like their music out of fear of being left out. O'Connor claims to be the child who sees through the charade and will stay true to her identity, no matter the cost.
In conclusion, The Emperor's New Clothes is a powerful song that explores the bittersweet nature of fame and success, the pressure to conform, and the importance of staying true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
It seems like years since you held the baby
It feels like a long time since you showed affection towards me.
While I wrecked the bedroom
While I was in a destructive state and caused damage to our shared space.
You said it was dangerous after Sunday
You warned me that my behavior was risky and potentially harmful after a particular event.
And I knew you loved me
Despite my actions, I was aware of your love for me.
He thinks I just became famous
Someone believes that my recent rise to fame is the cause of my problems.
And that's what messed me up
This assumption had a negative impact on me.
But he's wrong
The assumption is false.
How could I possibly know what I want
At my young age, it's impossible for me to know what I want in life.
When I was only twenty-one?
Especially because I was only twenty-one years old at the time.
And there's millions of people
With so many people in the world,
To offer advice and say how I should be
There are countless opinions on how I should live my life.
But they're twisted and they will never be
However, these viewpoints are distorted and can never become
Any influence on me
An influence on my actions or beliefs.
But you will always be
You will always have an impact on me.
You will always be
You will always remain important to me.
If I treated you mean
If I acted rudely towards you,
I really didn't mean to
It wasn't my intention.
But you know how it is
You understand the situation well.
And how a pregnancy can change you
Pregnancy can have a significant impact on a person's behavior and emotions.
I see plenty of clothes that I like
There are many clothing items that catch my eye.
But I won't go anywhere nice for a while
However, I don't feel like going to fancy places anytime soon.
All I want to do is just sit here
All I desire to do is sit still and be calm.
And write it all down and rest for a while
I need to write down my thoughts and take some time for myself.
I can't bear to be in another city
I cannot handle being in a city where you are not.
One where you are not
A place where you are not present.
I would return to nothing without you
Without you in my life, everything would feel meaningless.
If I'm your girlfriend or not
Regardless of our relationship status.
Maybe I was mean
Perhaps I acted harshly.
But I really don't think so
However, I don't believe that is the case.
You asked if I'm scared
You wanted to know if I am feeling fearful.
And I said so
And I told you that I am scared.
Everyone can see what's going on
The situation is clear for anyone to observe.
They laugh 'cause they know they're untouchable
Others mock and criticize because they feel invulnerable and superior.
Not because what I said was wrong
It's not because what I said is incorrect or invalid.
Whatever it may bring
Regardless of what might happen.
I will live by my own policies
I will adhere to my own beliefs and principles.
I will sleep with a clear conscience
I will be able to rest because I am true to myself.
I will sleep in peace
I will be able to sleep soundly due to my moral clarity.
Maybe it sounds mean
My words may appear harsh.
But I really don't think so
But I don't think they are.
You asked for the truth and I told you
You wanted me to be honest and I was.
Through their own words
Through their own dialogue and behaviors.
They will be exposed
Their true selves will be revealed.
They've got a severe case of
They suffer from a significant issue characterized as
The emperor's new clothes
The condition of insincerity and delusion in which one is trapped.
The emperor's new clothes
The emperor's new clothes.
The emperor's new clothes
The emperor's new clothes.
The emperor's new clothes
The emperor's new clothes.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Sinead O'connor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aranci-nick6302
“They laugh cos they know they’re untouchable, not because what I said was wrong” ahead of her time. RIP Sinead ❤
@coolbreeze5683
She will sleep with a clear conscience, she will sleep in peace
@GiantAsteroid-2024
@@coolbreeze5683I don't normally find myself affected by the passing of celebrities but this one feels different... maybe because she wasn't a celebrity but an artist.
Sinead will sleep with a clear conscience. Sinead will sleep in peace,
@akvox6155
right? criminally good. Unreal.
@coolbreeze5683
@@GiantAsteroid-2024 I feel the same way! She spoke what was true in her eyes, despite people being dismissive of her. Art is truth! Celebrity is just recycling to please the masses. She was definitely ahead of her time.
@EricaConger
These lyrics are ingenious. I agree. This loss hits different. It hits real deep. ❤
@frootijen
This is hands down one of my favorite songs by her. Breaks my heart that she is now gone. Rest easy Sinead! You deserved so much better from this world. 🖤
@tthreepointo8267
I love this song
@chrisrj9871
Sinéad O'Connor should have at least been equally remembered for this song, as well as the first one.
@ashleymayfield4777
This one always makes me feel like I can be who I deserve to be. It’s just beautiful, and so was she.