In 1990, “Nothing Compares 2 U” became one of the greatest songs of the year. A world hit by the then very young Irish singer Sinead O'Connor, just 23 years old, which was the main song on her second album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got and won numerous awards. The ballad – and the video clip with a constant close-up of the artist's face – is a '90s icon that can still be heard around the world and, although originally recorded by Prince, has always been remembered by the late O'Connor remind . in July 2023 at just 56 years old. Now his heirs want to preserve the spirit of the song and have raised their voices because former President Donald Trump, who is already running as the Republican candidate in 2024, is using the song at his rallies. And they have publicly denounced him and urged him to quit, joining a large group that includes the Rolling Stones, Adele, Rihanna and Prince, among others.
At two recent Trump campaign rallies, in both North Carolina and Maryland, O'Connor's song was played. And that's why his heirs, such as the record company Chrysalis Records, have demanded that the Republican team stop playing the song immediately. “It is well known that throughout her life, Sinéad O'Connor lived by a strict moral code characterized by honesty, kindness, justice and decency towards other people,” said the statement from both parties who spoke out in your name.
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“That's why we were outraged when we learned that Donald Trump had been using her iconic rendition of Nothing Compares 2 U at his political rallies,” the note, co-authored by the artist's legal heirs and the record label, continued. “It is no exaggeration to say that Sinéad would have been offended, hurt and insulted to see her work distorted in this way by someone she herself described as a 'biblical demon.'” “Call as guardian of his legacy “We want Donald Trump and his associates to stop using his music immediately.” At this time, there doesn't appear to be any legal action unless Trump continues playing the song.
In addition to being an exceptional voice and the author of ten albums, O'Connor was also a politically active figure, particularly in the 1990s and 2000s. Abused by her mother during her childhood, she was always very critical of child abuse and pedophilia. The moment went around the world when he ripped up a live photo of Pope John Paul II during a broadcast of the American show Saturday Night Live in October 1992, denouncing advertising within the Catholic Church. A few weeks later he affirmed: “God is the truth.” He also demanded that Benedict XVI. speaks clearly about the abuses in 2009: “The church had no problem expressing its opinion when we wanted contraceptives or a divorce.” There is no harm in criticizing the Da Vinci Code. Neither did Naomi Campbell, because she wore a jeweled cross. However, when it comes to the evils committed by pedophiles disguised as priests, the Church remains silent. It's grotesque, unbelievable and strange. “They don’t want to say anything, but they’re evil.”
Sinead O'Connor on “Saturday Night Live” in October 1992 when she tore up a photo of John Paul II on television.
In 2018, O'Connor converted to Islam and changed her name. The exact identity of those responsible for her rights as a singer and author is unknown. The performer, who died of natural causes last year, had four children from four different relationships: Jake Reynolds, 36; Roisin, 26; Shane O'Connor, who was found dead aged just 17 in January 2022, a week after his disappearance was announced; and the little one, Yeshua Bonadio, who will grow up this year.
The Irish artist's heirs aren't the only ones using their music to raise their voices against Trump at rallies. That same January, Johnny Marr of The Smiths complained on social media after “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want” was played at a rally in South Dakota: “I never would have thought that in a million years. “That could happen. “Think about stopping right now.” But this thing is coming from far away. In 2018, Pharrell even threatened to sue the then-candidate over the use of his popular song “Happy” during a rally in Illinois in October of that year. An act that also occurred hours after a shooting in a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “Pharrell has not and will not grant you permission to publicly perform or broadcast his music,” the letter from the artist’s lawyers said. “On the day of the mass murder of 11 people by a crazed nationalist, you played the song Happy to a crowd at a political event in Indiana,” it continued. “There was nothing 'happy' about the tragedy inflicted on our country on Saturday, and no permission was granted for the use of this song for that purpose.” Months earlier, in August, Aerosmith leader Steven Tyler also called for that he no longer uses Livin' On The Edge: “Mr. Trump is creating the false impression that our customer has consented to the use of his music and that he even supports his presidency.”
The Rolling Stones complained about the use of You Can't Always Get What You Want, which was played at the 2016 Republican National Convention: “The Rolling Stones do not support Donald Trump. “The song was used without the band’s permission,” they wrote on Twitter. Tom Petty's estate also demanded that he stop using “I Won't Back Down” at his rallies in 2020; that of Prince, in 2019, Purple Rain; and George Harrison's Here Comes The Sun. Rihanna, Guns N' Roses, Adele, Linkin Park, Village People, Neil Young, Queen, Ozzy Osbourne, Nickelback and Panic! at the Disco, among others, have also raised objections to Trump's use of their music.
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