The absolute chutzpah to stand on live TV and rip up a picture of the Pope is still awe-inspiring all these years later, but Sinead O'Connor is so much more interesting than just that moment. What...
The absolute chutzpah to stand on live TV and rip up a picture of the Pope is still awe-inspiring all these years later, but Sinead O'Connor is so much more interesting than just that moment. What a troubled, inspiring, and interesting person - I recommend reading about her here for some information about her life, and definitely check out some of her albums if you haven't heard anything beyond "Nothing Compares 2U".
I have a very early memory of seeing Nothing Compares on tv and being completely enchanted by her. I thought she was the absolute height of coolness with her shaved head, it opened up a whole new...
I have a very early memory of seeing Nothing Compares on tv and being completely enchanted by her. I thought she was the absolute height of coolness with her shaved head, it opened up a whole new world of femininity for a girl who loved barbies and dolls and pink.
She was so ahead of her time. Now, post #metoo, she’d be lauded for speaking out like she did. Instead people laughed at her. She was an activist at a time when that was something fringe and shameful in the media. For all her troubles, she remains a deeply inspiring woman, reminding everyone, but women especially, to make ourselves be heard. To say what needs to be said and damn the consequences.
a podcast from earlier this year that I really enjoyed: You're Wrong About: Sinéad O'Connor (with Allyson McCabe) the host of YWA, Sarah Marshall, has a particular interest in reporting on the...
a podcast from earlier this year that I really enjoyed:
Why Sinéad O’Connor Matters is a thought-provoking look at one of the most influential artists and activists of our time that ultimately asks, "Why did we abandon her?" In her time of need, when she needed support, when she stood by her values--her audience trusted the industry more than the artist. I hope this book is read by those who don’t know Sinéad’s story, and those that do will gain insight into the pain and punk ethos she still stands for. Allyson McCabe makes us all want to ask Sinéad for forgiveness and, one hopes, ask ourselves how we can do things differently.
from 2017: Sinead O'Connor to give '30 years worth of gorgeous clothing' to Ireland's transgender youth (credit to this tweet where I saw this originally)
Sinead (50) said in a Facebook post: "This is a message for Ireland's transgender youth.
"I have recently relocated from Ireland to America as has my size from ten to somewhere between twelve and thirteen. As has any desire I ever had to be porked, to outer space.
"Therefore I wish to donate my 30 yrs worth of gorgeous and ordinary clothing and (unused) make-up to an Irish organization which provides clothing and make up for those youth (over 16) born 'legally' male who wish to enjoy being female.
"But I know not of such an organization in Ireland. If there is one, could someone post it's contact info here Please?"
(credit to this tweet where I saw this originally)
I shudder to think it might be that but 56 is pretty young. Then again, the world has lost plenty of people unexpectedly and I could see her being a private person if she was fighting something.
I shudder to think it might be that but 56 is pretty young. Then again, the world has lost plenty of people unexpectedly and I could see her being a private person if she was fighting something.
I've definitely seen a lot of the less reputable news sources provide thinly veiled implications of that. Gratefully, the good ones remained objective.
I've definitely seen a lot of the less reputable news sources provide thinly veiled implications of that.
We don't know yet but given her mental health struggles and saying she was suicidal at times coupled with her own son taking his life not long ago I wouldn't be surprised to learn she followed...
We don't know yet but given her mental health struggles and saying she was suicidal at times coupled with her own son taking his life not long ago I wouldn't be surprised to learn she followed suit with her ideations.
She was the first person I ever saw live in concert, Mann Music Center in Philly during the summer of 1990. Still one of my favorites after all these years.
She was the first person I ever saw live in concert, Mann Music Center in Philly during the summer of 1990. Still one of my favorites after all these years.
For a couple of decades, Sinead O'Connor was one of those artists that I had a lot of respect for but didn't quite connect with artistically. This changed with her 2014 album I'm Not Bossy, I'm...
For a couple of decades, Sinead O'Connor was one of those artists that I had a lot of respect for but didn't quite connect with artistically. This changed with her 2014 album I'm Not Bossy, I'm the Boss, which instantly became one of my favourite albums. Something about it just clicks with me so perfectly, and it also functioned as the gateway through which I began to appreciate her whole musical output, basically working backwards chronologically.
Sadly, it ended up being her last release. But if you are looking to explore her career, and the early, more popular albums don't for some reason quite do it for you, I just wanted to suggest giving I'm Not Bossy, I'm the Boss a try.
I really like Your Green Jacket from that album https://inv.makerlab.tech/watch?v=wcaGRrqPYMQ She was an ally of all dispossessed and destitute people.
It's too bad people didn't celebrate her when she was alive. I always respected her for what she did on SNL, but for years had to listen to people crap on her for it. Now everybody is realizing...
It's too bad people didn't celebrate her when she was alive. I always respected her for what she did on SNL, but for years had to listen to people crap on her for it. Now everybody is realizing too late that she was right.
In July 2023, following the tragic death of Sinead O’Connor, an incredibly moving letter was published in The Telegraph by a reader named Philip Woolcock.
Ferdinand Kingsley joined us at 2023's Wilderness Festival in Oxfordshire to read it.
The absolute chutzpah to stand on live TV and rip up a picture of the Pope is still awe-inspiring all these years later, but Sinead O'Connor is so much more interesting than just that moment. What a troubled, inspiring, and interesting person - I recommend reading about her here for some information about her life, and definitely check out some of her albums if you haven't heard anything beyond "Nothing Compares 2U".
I have a very early memory of seeing Nothing Compares on tv and being completely enchanted by her. I thought she was the absolute height of coolness with her shaved head, it opened up a whole new world of femininity for a girl who loved barbies and dolls and pink.
She was so ahead of her time. Now, post #metoo, she’d be lauded for speaking out like she did. Instead people laughed at her. She was an activist at a time when that was something fringe and shameful in the media. For all her troubles, she remains a deeply inspiring woman, reminding everyone, but women especially, to make ourselves be heard. To say what needs to be said and damn the consequences.
a podcast from earlier this year that I really enjoyed:
You're Wrong About: Sinéad O'Connor (with Allyson McCabe)
the host of YWA, Sarah Marshall, has a particular interest in reporting on the stories of women who've been unfairly maligned (see her 2014 article about Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan, for example)
the guest wrote a book called Why Sinéad O’Connor Matters
from 2017: Sinead O'Connor to give '30 years worth of gorgeous clothing' to Ireland's transgender youth
(credit to this tweet where I saw this originally)
Rest in Peace. She was a great musician and a brave dedicated fighter for what she believed in. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/sep/30/nothing-compares-the-film-maker-bringing-sinead-oconnor-to-a-new-generation
Damn, article doesn't say what happened (understandable) but going only a year after her son it could've just been a broken heart.
It could also have been suicide. I read a couple different articles. None say exactly what happened.
I shudder to think it might be that but 56 is pretty young. Then again, the world has lost plenty of people unexpectedly and I could see her being a private person if she was fighting something.
At the end of the day, she was a great person who had strong influence for good in the world and brought joy to people through her music.
I've definitely seen a lot of the less reputable news sources provide thinly veiled implications of that.
Gratefully, the good ones remained objective.
Apparently they are doing an autopsy.
Has been ruled a death by natural causes: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-67926255
@sodliddesu @grumble @good_apollo
We don't know yet but given her mental health struggles and saying she was suicidal at times coupled with her own son taking his life not long ago I wouldn't be surprised to learn she followed suit with her ideations.
She was the first person I ever saw live in concert, Mann Music Center in Philly during the summer of 1990. Still one of my favorites after all these years.
I saw her in the early 2010s. Wasn’t she just magical on stage?! Such a presence
For a couple of decades, Sinead O'Connor was one of those artists that I had a lot of respect for but didn't quite connect with artistically. This changed with her 2014 album I'm Not Bossy, I'm the Boss, which instantly became one of my favourite albums. Something about it just clicks with me so perfectly, and it also functioned as the gateway through which I began to appreciate her whole musical output, basically working backwards chronologically.
Sadly, it ended up being her last release. But if you are looking to explore her career, and the early, more popular albums don't for some reason quite do it for you, I just wanted to suggest giving I'm Not Bossy, I'm the Boss a try.
I really like Your Green Jacket from that album https://inv.makerlab.tech/watch?v=wcaGRrqPYMQ
She was an ally of all dispossessed and destitute people.
It's too bad people didn't celebrate her when she was alive. I always respected her for what she did on SNL, but for years had to listen to people crap on her for it. Now everybody is realizing too late that she was right.
Related video from Letters Live that I found quite touching:
Ferdinand Kingsley reads a father's letter about Sinead O'Connor
That’s beautiful. Thanks for posting