I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
Sinead O'Connor
1990
Album Summary
I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got is the second album by Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor, released in March 1990 on Ensign/Chrysalis Records. It contains O'Connor's version of the Prince song "Nothing Compares 2 U", which was released as a single and reached number one in multiple countries. The album was nominated for four Grammy Awards in 1991, including Record of the Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and Best Music Video, Short Form for "Nothing Compares 2 U", winning the award for Best Alternative Music Performance. However, O'Connor refused to accept the nominations and award.
WikipediaBang pints of Guinness together for Sinead!! This is not only my favorite record of her amazing catalog, but one of the most personally satisfying of the 80s, 90s, and beyond. O'Connor's hauntingly emotional voice is a delicate and powerful instrument, and one I fell hard in love with as a teenager. The Emperor's New Clothes and her cover of Prince's Nothing Compares 2 U were the first singles that dropped on our local college radio station, THE BUS. I believe it was that very next week that I counted my bills and headed over to Chicago Records in Kankakee to grab this on cassette. An example of Sinead's vocal diversity is the moody transition from Feel So Different to I Am Stretched On Your Grave to Three Babies. Without sounding too crazy, I really don't know what more I could ask for in a record, both vocally, lyrically, and instrumentally. It is folk, it is rock, it is alternative, it is Irish...and its beauty and spiritual ascent spans a vast spectrum, from stories to meditations. And just when you think you've had enough Jameson and know what's next, Sinead surprises you with an unexpected shift (i.e. Black Boys to Nothing Compares to Jump In The River) that many times has left me in tears. The last 3 songs on the album tell all. Truly, thank you for sharing your gift and touching me deeply. I Do Not W*ant What I Haven't Got, unless I don't got Sinead. xo ** I would put this is in my top 10 flashback records that I spin on a regular basis
A beautiful album, O’Connor’s voice is sublime and her song choices are intriguing, managing to cross a range of genres and styles without feeling disjointed. Nothing Compares 2 U is the obvious highlight and loses none of its emotional heft (despite its ubiquity at the time of its release). Black Boys on Mopeds is a quietly seething protest song and The Emperor’s New Clothes gives us a glimpse of what O’Connor’s career as a power pop star might have looked like. A fantastic listen.
3.8 + So many thoughts and feelings surrounding Sinéad O'Connor. When she first busted onto my radar in 1989, I was utterly fascinated by her beautiful baby face and her rebellious spirit. It seems banal to comment on her bald head but at the time there were absolutely ZERO other female entertainers who had the balls to sport that look. Her baldness made her the butt of countless cheap jokes on American television. Regardless, her two hit videos were on heavy rotation on MTV. \"Nothing Compares...\" is a lush, gorgeous, expansive arrangement that gives Sinéad's voice the backdrop to flutter and soar. The single tear she sheds in the video, with the tight camera shot on her angelic face - for ten year old me, it felt sublime. \"Emperor's New Clothes\" still reads as her mission statement that in retrospect serves as a general narrative to her life as an artists and public figure: \"Whatever it may bring, I will live by own policies, I will sleep with a clear conscience, I will sleep in peace.\" That uncompromising stance has come up again and again - the tearing of the pope's picture on SNL, her born-again Christian phase, coming out as gay, converting to Islam... - she's made choices that have cast her negatively in the limelight but she's stood by what she believes often risking her own image and mental health. Sometimes I wish she were better able to play nice. But surely she'd end up another throwaway whatever-happened-to artist - more so than she is currently. Now, putting aside her status as pop music's Contrarian, we're left with her music. Unfortunately, for me, the quality and luster in these tracks remains inconsistent and sometimes lacking. Setting aside \"Nothing Compares...\", which she made her own heartbreak song for the ages, we're left with songs that might be generously described as \"quirky\" and \"unique.\" Frankly, the arrangements on some of these songs is confusing (\"I Am Stretched On Your Grave\") and the lyrics are sometimes cringe-y in their directness (\"Black Boys on Mopeds\" and \"Three Babies\"). To be sure, there are some solid moments (\"You Cause as Much Sorrow\", \"Jump in the River\"). I've tried over the years to LOVE this album, which is probably her best, because I've often loved Sinead O'Connor's brave, authentic, rebellious persona. But try as I might, I still only like it.
Somehow manages to be angry and dull. Nothing Compares is a banger though obvs
This album is surprisingly varied, stylistically. I'm a sucker for Irish-sound, so those tracks were easy. The rest of it had sounds that generally jived with me; it's all in my 90's wheelhouse. I'm giving this one 5 stars, but it's not as strong a 5 as Aretha's.
Oh my god. This album. I loved it the first time I heard it and I love it just as much now. I listened to it endlessly in 1990. I used it to test out the first real set of speakers I got. I needed some base. I still have those JBLs. I didn't listen to much of her stuff after this, but this and Lion and the Cobra were everything.
Haunting, melodic, political, spare, heart-rending & heartfelt. Sinead brings it all and more with this album. Both the vocals are the production are stunning in their simplicity. The anger, desperation and plaintiveness of the lyricsm bring an emotional wallop to every track, especially when paired with her yearning vocals. This album is sublime.
I love black cherry iice cream but it’s pretty easy to hate Sinéad if you're a fan of the Pope / Catholic church or were watching SNL in 1992. There are also some difficult-to-unsee dancing in her MTV videos that also may give you pause. But if you were lucky enough to listen to her before the aforementioned, you’ll probably agree 'I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got' is the best album of 1990. In an age of maximalism, this album shows that maximum impact is achievable with basic tools and simple beats. There are no gimmicky production tricks, flimsy bass or wild synth-y sounds to date this album by. It holds up well, unlike ice cream on the beach or Prince’s Sign of the Times. From an a capella title track to the steady power chords of Jump in the River, the beauty in the album is its simplicity. Wikipedia says that this album was almost entirely devoted to the family of Colin Roach and presumably he is the subject of Black Boys on Mopeds. That song itself resonates stronger today than it did when it was released. This fact catapults it into the another realm. Nothing Compares 2 the use of James Brown's Funky Drummer backup on Stretched Out On Your Grave, or the gentle strum and steady build of Last Day of Our Acquaintance. I love how the tenor of that song creates liberation from a stifled existence. The entire album is great, but The Emperor's New Clothes keeps me coming back to listen to the rest. Emotionally, this album rides the line of somber relaxation and unrealized power on the brink of erruption. Without being too heavy, I could listen to this on my way to a protest rally or any Sunday morning. This is a Five for sure, but to put the five into context, I’ll offer this. If I was stranded on a desert island forever and had one album to take, this might be it, this and an everlasting supply of black cherry ice cream with a cooler.
Álbum de pura calma. Canções lentas que, em alguns momentos, lembram mantras e sons de meditação. Cantora irlandesa. Sofreu abusos durante a infância. Acabou de perder seu filho para a depressão. Uma voz doce, mas também rebelde, firme.
I love this melodramatic record, a lot of soulfullness surprisingly, and even though it is a little cheesy, I was surprised that it did feel quite authentic.
Great music. And really deep meanings. I would definitely listen again.
Feel So Different praticamente só vocal, muito bom. Nothing Comparing 2 U é um clássico!!
This album gets all the love because of Nothing Compares to you. But to be honest, there are so many other amazing tracks on this album that I'd choose 100% of the time instead. Some of my favourite Sinead O'Connor songs are here, Three Babies, Emperor's New Clothes, Black Boys on Mopeds and Last Day Of Our Aquaintance, which hits me in the feels every time with it's power and angst. Such a great album and was wonderful to revisit.
I feel this woman and her music resonates so me with me on another level,I feel the music she makes deep inside
I don't plan on handing out too many 5 stars. But Sinead hits on every level. She sings, composes, writes and produces her own music which I might add is damned good. Her haunting voice with simple melodies. She had to balls to stand up to the Catholic church way before it became a trend and almost lost her career for it. If iIcould give her a 10 I would.
I fell in love with this album when it was released and listened to it a lot through the 90s. But somewhere in the last thirty years I sort of lost touch and hadn’t listened to this in a very long time. Listening to it tonight is like reuniting with an old friend. I feel completely at home here. Loved. Warm. Wonderful. I’d call out favorite tracks but I’d end up listing them all. It’s an album that’s great from beginning to end. It couldn’t reappear in my life at a better time.
This is a great album. Songs are distinct, both musically and thematically, and O'Connor's adept vocals still haunt even thirty years later. Lots of good songs that add up to a satisfying, unified whole.
I didn't have much appreciation for Sinead back when this album was released and never had I ever listened to it. This was a real treat!
Sinéad's voice is quite amazing. It can go from etherial and angelic to deeply powerful and sharp as a razor. I think that range was really what made "Nothing Compares 2 U" so notable. This album had all of it. It sometimes felt religious in that O'Connor sings with such emotion and fervor. This is quite a work!
Wow! What an album. I've been familiar with Sinead's version of "Nothing Compares 2 U" for most of my life, but this was my first time hearing any of her other music, and I was blown away. Her unique and powerful vocals punctuate every word of her emotional lyrics. The instrumentation on these songs is varied, but each song is gorgeous and beautifully arranged. I figured this would be a good album, but I did not count on it being incredible. I will definitely be listening to this again some day soon.
Sinnead is one of the greats. Personally liked her better on the slower, more heartfelt songs. Feel So Different is an awesome opener
Treads the line between profound and trite, mostly on the right side. Some very passionate and beautiful moments, not least of which being Nothing Compares.
This album hasn’t aged well, but her voice is absolutely something to behold when it’s used correctly. Her version of Nothing Compares 2 U is one of the best vocal performances of all time in any genre.
I've never listened to one of her records, front to back. Really liked it!
I really like this. Sinead has a great voice, and I like the somewhat sparse arrangements of the tracks. Most of these have a very 80s sound, but with a transitionary feel. Nothing Compares is obviously the star of this album, and it still holds up, but I really liked I am Stretched On Your Grave, Black Boys on Mopeds, and I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got. Really surprised by my enjoyment of this.
Me regalaron este vinilo mis amigos en el instituto. Era el único disco que conocían pero al mismo tiempo les parecía bastante raro como para gustarme. Dudaron entre este y el Solitude Standing de Suzanne Vega (lo volveré a oír en breve). La cuestión es que este disco fue un bombazo y siempre me recordaban: —Esta es la calva esa de la que te regalamos el disco. Aparte de las batallitas es un disco interesante que va desde el hip-hop/folk de "I am stretched on your grave", chamber pop en "Feels so different" o "Three Babies", pasando por el rock de "The emperor's new clothes" y por supuesto el clásico "Nothing compares 2 U".
As a raccoon dines on crayfish, I ate this up. Great voice and like the slow tempo of the whole album
An album to keep coming to dig in and enjoy every now and then. Nothing Compares 2 U of course, but also Emperor's New Clothes, Jump in the River, Feels So Different... Pop at its best
It was less boring than I expected. I liked many of the songs. She has a great voice and the lyrics are good.
Fantastic album with a Van Morrison reference in 'Black Boys on mopeds'. O'connor has often spoke about how the man is her favourite artist and they have appeared on Letterman together in the mid 90's (Van was drunk).
Sehr schön, finde prince Version von 'nothing compares 2 u' allerdings schöner
Heartfelt, sad, poignant, and beautifully composed. Perhaps not as earwormy as some pop-artists but a wonderful collection of emotional songs
I really liked it. It started off with a few slow songs, which werent really for me, but as the album went on further, I liked it more and more. Highlights: Nothing compares 2 you, last day of our acquaintance. Beautiful voice, mostly good/great songs. I said i didnt like the slow songs at the beginning, however, nothing compares to you is my favorite song off the record. Its heartbreaking and so pretty at the same time.
The first half is really great. It drags a bit after that, but picks back up in the last two tracks. Sinead O'Connor's vocal delivery never fails to impress. She is recognizably Irish and infuses her music with little inflections, both musically and vocally, to that point. However, she is not mired in traditionalism and makes music that must have certainly sounded new and fresh when it debuted.
Some really good songs but each one was too long? So it kind of dragged. But I liked it.
Quite an impressive album. Though it has some pretty sparse, whispering type tracks... the meat of it: from emperor's new clothes all the way to last day of our acquaitance is quite enjoyable. The songs have meaning and passion.
When I think of Sinead O'Connor, I think of "Nothing Compares 2 U." So the tracks on this album that are faster-paced rockers were surprising. There was a nice mix of the slower, more haunting songs with faster songs that wouldn't be out of place coming from the Cranberries. I was actually surprised (pleasantly) how much similarity I heard between the two. "I Am Stretched on Your Grave" fit that more haunting mold, and I loved when the Irish violin/fiddle kicked in. "Black Boys on Mopeds" was a highlight, getting political in calling out the hypocrisy of the British government and society and previewing the stand O'Connor took two years later when she called out the Pope on SNL.
Really enjoyed this - it was great to hear what an amazing voice she had and hear it on tracks I hadn't heard before - album would have been a revelation back then, so much so my least favourite track was Nothing Compares 2 You (as heard so often)
Surprisingly eclectic and dynamic. String quartet to hip-hop drums to guitar laden folksy ballad, just in the first three tracks. And the distinctive Irish quality is always present in her voice and some fiddle work. The album starts really strong, but does get boring in the second half. Maybe it’s too arty or contemplative for me.
I don't want to like this as much as I do. She has the occasional weird howler song, but most of the others have a nice late-80s/early-90s feel.
Some interesting stuff....... Like her alot tho. Give it 4 cos its her
I didn't like it at first, but it grew on me during album listening. Not my cup of coffee completely, but good album overall. Nothing compares 2 U is good, obviously, but I've also liked Last Day of Our Acquaintance.
What a cool record! O’Connor has a great voice used to great effect. This was when she had the world prepped for her to be a big star and told everyone to fuck-off. Nothing Compares 2 U, Feels So Different, Black Boys on Moped. Chill yet full of passion.
Fantastic. Took me right back to listening over and over in my student accommodation.
Favorites: Nothing Compares 2 U Feels So Different Last Day of Our Acquaintance
The rest of the album does in fact compare (and quite favourably) to the hit single. Liked this.
female vocals, good quality production, stunning music videos a prayer at the beggining, I haven't listened into the lyrics much, it's all about romantic love anyway =)
I must have grown up 🤣 I truly did not appreciate this when it was released and now I enjoyed it very much!
Ovo jebeno počne ali suludo sekvenciranje i par lošijih stvari baš naruše dojam
Sinéad's voice comes across as delicate, but stands up to quite a range of (unfortunately often dated) styles. That range is weird enough and the gossamer compelling enough to hear this as a unique record in a now-satured genre. The recording is hardly naturalistic: I often felt alone with her voice in a cavernous room. It was the perfect place to hear it.
Great stuff, a really diverse and emotional record with top notch songwriting
Occasionally patchy but decent overall. I was surprised at its more electronica elements.
I've always loved her voice, and she's an incredible performer. I remember when this album was around, but I don't think I ever owned it. Very good tracks on this one. And, Yes, I watched the infamous photo incident on SNL the night it happened, and I remember being so moved by it. Even then, having been raised Catholic, I knew she was right, and of course not so many years after that, the truth was exposed around the world. I remember, too, knowing that night she would be on the receiving end of some awful responses, and unsurprisingly the backlash was fierce. Even though it was inevitable, it broke my heart. It still does. I could write for days on all this, but back to the album: I love it. She's so talented and her vocal abilities are versatile, strong, and very much her own.
An album rife with complexities and contradictions. A perfect portrait of Sinead as an artist, it encapsulates her uniquely polarizing persona and multifaceted talents so precisely. She’s soft, vulnerable, ethereal. Intense, scathing, and irascible. She broke the damn mold beyond any possible repair when she released this album out into the wild. Sinead is the kickass, boldly authentic powerhouse we needed at this time.
The last song was particularly moving, deep and passionate. As a whole the album is a laid back listen, a beautiful crooning voice (honestly reminds me of Alanis a bit maybe?)
I have owned this album on cassette and on CD...but honestly haven't listened to it in years. I always loved Lion and the Cobra and this follow up got overplayed (understandably) to her Prince cover Nothing Compares 2 U (before text speak, Prince was streets ahead) but listening to it again after all this time, that voice is a powerhouse, and looking back she was right to tear up that picture of the pope.
Brilliant. Forgot how much I loved her voice. And of course the brilliant Prince cover tops it off.
I admit I liked more than I thought. Nothing more than a 90s singer from Ireland singing on a cheap synth.
sooo beautiful. I loved the mix of styles throughout this and the production all the way through. Pleasantly surprised and will probably revisit many of the tracks!
So many different styles of song in one album. Beautifully sung & underrated. A reminder to listen to more Sinead.
Precursor to the cranberries and other angular female voices. I had forgotten how much I liked this one. Black boys on mopeds and three babies
Really rocking with this one. I know Sinead for three things: (1) cool name, (2) being bald, and (3) that papal protest thing she did on SNL. Leaving allll of that aside, this is a great album. She's got such a warm, distinct voice. Musically, nothing is too out of the ordinary for a singer-songwriter project, but it all fits together quite nicely. "Nothing Compares 2 U" is her big hit, and it's here, and it's fantastic. I'm not sure what more I can say here, she just ticked all the right boxes for me. Shout out Sinead. Favorite tracks: Nothing Compares 2 U, The Emperor's New Clothes, Black Boys on Mopeds, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got. Album art: Really like this one. Font is cool, homemade, and the shadowy portrait is effective. Definitely in the top end as far as artist portraits go for me. 4/5
I like the diversity of the songs; they don't sound alike! Favorite songs: The Emperor's New Clothes, I Am Stretched on Your Grave, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got.
Mesmerizing voice that transport you through the whole album. Some very good instrument use to accompany the vocals as well. There is a consistency across the album that is very appreciable. To listen if you want a cloudy trip. 4.5/5