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Showtime‘s Sinéad O’Connor documentary Nothing Compares has been denied the use of her cover of Prince’s song “Nothing Compares 2 U” by the late singer’s estate.
In a statement to Billboard, Prince’s half-sister and co-heir Sharon Nelson wrote, “I didn’t feel she deserved to use the song.”
Prince had written “Nothing Compares 2 U” for his side project, The Family, and the song appeared on their self-titled 1985 debut album. O’Connor’s 1990 cover of the track launched her career trajectory forward, making her an international sensation with three Grammy nominations, including Record of the Year. Hence why the film’s director Kathryn Ferguson chose that name for her documentary.
“Initially we had intended to use the song, but we received a refusal (which as the rights holders, was their prerogative),” said Ferguson to Billboard. “In the end we were very happy with that section of the film. It meant the focus remained on Sinéad’s words, and on her own songwriting.”
Nelson gave two reasons for the refusal, one financial and one personal. “Nothing compares to Prince’s live version with Rosie Gaines that is featured on the Hits 1 album and we are re-releasing that album on vinyl on November 4th,” she said, adding, “I didn’t feel [O’Connor] deserved to use the song my brother wrote in her documentary so we declined. His version is the best.”
While she didn’t elaborate any further on O’Connor’s merits, the refusal may very well be retaliation for an interview the singer gave to the New York Times last year where she recounted her first meeting with Prince.
O’Connor claimed that Prince “terrorized” her, took issue with her swearing in interviews, and suggested a pillow fight only to whack her with something hard inside his pillowcase. She alleged that when she tried to escape, he chased her in his car.
Nothing Compares will air on Showtime this Sunday, October 2nd, and Showtime subscribers have been able to stream it on-demand beginning yesterday, September 30th.
