RIP Sinéad O’Connor (December 8, 1966-July 26, 2023) Photo courtesy of Man Alive, via Flickr
Sadly, influential Irish singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor died on July 26, 2023, at the age of 56. During her career, she established herself as a controversial and uncompromising figure. An example of this is when she performed a cappella reworking of Bob Marley’s “War” during an October 3, 1992 episode of Saturday Night Live. Not only did she alter the lyrics to specifically reference child abuse, but she concluded by courageously tearing up a photo of Pope John Paul II to draw attention to the role the Roman Catholic Church played in covering up reports of child abuse. In her 2021 memoir Rememberings, she said of the incident: “I am a protest singer. I just had stuff to get off my chest. I had no desire for fame.” In honor of Sinéad the protest singer, here is a sampling of fifteen of her socially conscious tunes presented in chronological order.
Drink Before The War (1987)
One of the highlights of her stunning debut The Lion and the Cobra, the tune resonates in light of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, indicting those who “refuse to see” and “refuse to feel”.
Mandinka (1987)
Another standout from her debut, in an April 12, 1988 interview with Tech 12, she stated: “Mandinkas are an African tribe. They’re mentioned in a book called Roots by Alex Haley, which is what the song is about. In order to understand it you must read the book.”
The lyric “I have refused to take part” is also an apt description of O’Connor, who often refused to take part or support oppressive aspects of society.
Black Boys On Mopeds (1990)
This potent protest tune is off her exceptional sophomore album I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got. The song is based on the tragic incident of a young black man named Nicholas Bramble who was killed while the police were pursuing him because they mistakenly suspected him of stealing the moped he was riding. The lyrics are also a scathing critique of the hypocrisy of then British Prime Minister Margret Thatcher.
Irish Ways & Irish Laws (1991)
This is a cover of a protest tune by Irish Celtic rock band Moving Heart, appearing on the band’s 1981 self-titled debut. Sinéad’s haunting live a cappella rendition was released as part of the 1991 video album Year of The Horse (later rereleased as Live: The Year of the Horse/The Value of Ignorance) and as a B-side to the 1991 non-album Christmas single “Silent Night”.
War (1992)
As previously mentioned she performed a capella version of the Bob Marley tune during the infamous Saturday Night Live performance.
A couple of weeks later she also performed an impromptu a capella version of the tune during the Bob Dylan 30th Aniversary Concert. She was slated to perform “I Believe in You” off Dylan’s 1979 gospel album Slow Train Coming, but the crowd’s hostile reaction caused her to change course and defiantly shout down the crowd to try to get her message across. She also later recorded a full-band version of the tune for her 2005 reggae album Throw Down Your Arms. This version doesn’t include the revamped lyrics and doesn’t pack the same potency.
Famine (1994)
This track off her 4th studio album Universal Mother, is one of her most politically explicit. The song details the long-lasting impact of the Great Famine on Ireland.
Fire On Babylon (1994)
This tune off Universal Mother was written in response to the child abuse she experienced at the hands of her mother. But the lyrics also resonate in light of her protest against the Catholic church. She also had a deep respect for Rastafarianism which views corrupt governmental institutions as Babylon.
Empire – Bomb The Bass (featuring Sinéad O’Connor & Benjamin Zephaniah) (1995)
Throughout her career, O’Connor has had many notable collaborations, such as this one which appeared on the third studio album Clear, by British electronic act Bomb The Bass. The lyrics which Sinéad helped penned, strongly denounce British colonialism.
The Foggy Dew – The Chieftains (featuring Sinéad O’Connor) (1995)
Another notable collaboration, this traditional protest tune appeared on the traditional Irish folk group’s album The Long Black Veil. The song addresses the political climate in Ireland in the wake of the Easter Rising and World War I.
This Is a Rebel Song (1997)
This gorgeous track is off the Gospel Oak EP. The lyrics use a relationship with an abusive Englishman as an allegory of the conflict in Northern Ireland. The song’s title is also in response to Bono who would say when introducing the U2 tune “Sunday Bloody Sunday” (also about the Troubles in Northern Ireland) “This is not a rebel song.”
Paddy’s Lament (2002)
This song appears on her sixth full-length album Sean-Nós Nua, a collection of traditional Irish tunes. The lyrics relate the story of an Irishman who emigrated to the United States and was conscripted into the Union army during the Civil War. The song’s protagonist loses his leg in battle and becomes embittered with America. O’Connor described the song as the “best anti-war song ever made”.
A Prayer For England – Massive Attack (featuring Sinéad O’Connor) (2003)
This tune is the most political of the three songs she co-wrote and contributed vocals to, from the UK Trip-Hop group 4th album 100th Window. The lyrics attack those who abduct and murder children in the name of religion.
Take Off Your Shoes (2012)
Throughout her career, O’Connor continued to speak out against organized religion’s hypocrisy and shine a spotlight on the Catholic church’s role in covering up child abuse. This tune off her 9th full-length album How About I Be Me (and You Be You)? is her response to the findings of the Murphy Report which exposed the role of the Dublin archdiocese in the child sex abuse scandal. She has stated that she imagined the song as how “The Holy Spirit would address the Vatican”.
Take Me To Church (2014)
This track is off her tenth and final album before her death, I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss. Not necessarily a direct protest, but the song does contain an anthemic message of redemption and resilience. The lyric “take me to church, but not the ones that hurt” also resonates with her previous protests against the Catholic Church and Organized Religion in general.
Trouble of The World (2020)
Her timely cover of Mahalia Jackson’s gospel tune resonated during the pandemic and worldwide protest against police brutality. All of the proceeds of the single supported Black Lives Matter organizations.