Two weeks after tearing up a picture of the Pope during her appearance on Saturday Night Live, Sinead O’Connor again found herself at the centre of controversy.
Early life and career
Controversy on Saturday Night Live
Retirement form music
Sinead O’Cconnor videos
Singers main page
She was booed off the stage at a concert to mark Bob Dylan’s 30th anniversary as a recording artist. She shouted a rendition of the song, War, and cut it short at the point where she mentioned child abuse to emphasise her point.
The audience continued to boo until she had left the stage and she had to be comforted by Kris Kristofferson.
In 1993, O’Connor released an open letter through the Irish Times, appealing for people to “stop hurting her”.
That year she contributed to the song, You Make me the Thief of your Heart, for the soundtrack to the film, In the Name of the Father.
Universal Mother bringing up her children
O’Connor’s fourth album, Universal Mother, was released in 1994. It was a more conventional album but many fans still hadn’t forgiven her and it didn’t enjoy as much success as her previous albums.
She didn’t release another album for six years as she spent time with her children.
Her fifth album was released in 2000 and featured collaborations with stars such as Wyclef Jean and Dave Stewart.
It was followed two years later by Sean-Nós Nua. It was an album of traditional Irish songs that in her own words, she had “sexed up”.
Compilation album
In 2003, O’Connor contributed to albums from Massive Attack and Dolly Parton. She also released her own compilation album which featured demos and live performances called, She Who Dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High Shall Abide Under the Shadow of the Almighty.
She announced her retirement from music in 2003, following the release of her compilation album.
Making a comeback with reggae music
However, in 2005 she said that she had only intended to retire from making mainstream music and returned with a reggae album, Throw Down Your Arms.
She released her second Rastafari inspired album, Theology, two years later. It featured a mixture of original songs and covers. She also featured on The World is Yours, an album by Stone Roses’ front man, Ian Brown.
In 2010, O’Connor performed a duet of This Is To Mother You, with Mary J Blige. The proceeds of the song went to GEMS (Girls Educational and Mentoring Services).
Early life and career
Controversy on Saturday Night Live
Different syles of music
Retirement form music and O’Connor’s fourth marriage ends after 16 days
Sinead O’Cconnor videos
Singers main page
