Sinead O’Connor’s 'Nothing Compares 2 U' streamed 1.2 million times after her death on Wednesday

Sinead O’Connor, the gifted Irish singer-songwriter who became a superstar in her mid-20s but was known as much for her private struggles and provocative actions as for her fierce and expressive music, has died at 56. Photo: AP

Irish singer-songwriter Sinead O’Connor’s best-known hit, Nothing Compares 2 U, has been streamed more than 1.2 million times on Spotify since her death on Wednesday.

The 1990 song, written by Prince, also entered the streaming platform’s global chart for the first time, according to Spotify.

A huge hit in 1990, it topped the charts around the world, including O’Connor’s native Ireland, and sold 3.5 million copies worldwide.

O’Connor, who was 56, was found unresponsive at an address in London and pronounced dead at the scene on Wednesday, according to London’s Metropolitan Police.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious,” it added.

In an exclusive interview with entertainment magazine People in 2021, she said she had told her kids that, in the event of her death, they should call her accountant before they call the authorities.

“When the artistes are dead, they’re much more valuable than when they’re alive. Tupac has released way more albums since he died than he did alive, so it’s kind of gross what record companies do,” she said at the time.

O’Connor, who was married four times, had four children, including her 17-year-old son Shane, who died of suicide in 2022.

In the People interview, she said she had stressed to her children the importance of protecting her art and finances.

“That’s why I’ve always instructed my children since they were very small, ‘If your mother drops dead tomorrow, before you call 911, call my accountant and make sure the record companies don’t start releasing my records and not tell you where the money is’.”

As tributes poured in from fellow musicians, political leaders, celebrities and fans, one tweet which was carried by several media outlets left readers confused.

A fan account belonging to Irish poet Seamus Heaney, who died 10 years ago, tweeted: “A great Irish poet and singer left us today. She was beautiful, courageous and wore her heart on her sleeve. She was before her time. Nothing will ever compare to Sinead O’Connor.”

British news outlets The Guardian and Sky News were among those which reported that the tribute came from Heaney.

Netizens were left baffled, with one commenting: “Poets really are immortal.” – The Straits Times/Asia News Network