Fun fact, find the answer at the bottom of this email.

This song was written, and originally recorded in 1985, by which Mega Superstar?

It’s been so lonely without you here, like a bird without a song

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Read time: 5 minutes

Lyrics

It's been seven hours and fifteen days
Since u took your love away
I go out every night and sleep all day
Since you took your love away
Since you been gone I can do whatever I want
I can see whomever I choose
I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant
But nothing
I said nothing can take away these blues

'Cause nothing compares
Nothing compares to you

This song is about loss; love, grief, death, what was missing in a relationship, the end of a relationship, all of it.

Psychology Today shares ways to cope with loss.

1. Take care of yourself:

Prioritize physical well-being by exercising regularly, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep. 

2. Acknowledge and accept your emotions:

Understand that grief involves intense and sometimes painful emotions, and accept these feelings without judgment. This includes allowing yourself to feel sadness, anger, guilt, or even relief. 

3. Seek social support:

Talk about the death with trusted friends and family. Consider joining a grief support group or utilizing resources like GriefShare.

4. Be patient and compassionate with yourself:

Healing takes time, and there's no set timeline for grief. Avoid making major life changes immediately and allow yourself to move through the process at your own pace. 

5. Find ways to honor the loss or the person lost:

This could involve creating art, journaling, planting a tree, or finding meaning in everyday occurrences or through faith. 

6. Consider professional support:

If you are struggling to cope, a therapist or healthcare provider can offer guidance and support, and may recommend specific interventions or resources. 

7. Embrace movement:

Physical activity, such as walking or yoga, can help alleviate symptoms of depression and grief by boosting energy and mood. 

Lyrics

It's been so lonely without you here
Like a bird without a song
Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling
Tell me baby where did I go wrong
I could put my arms around every boy I see
But they'd only remind me of you

In terms of it’s US chart performance on the Hot 100 it ranked number three for the year 1990.

O'Connor's version received mostly positive reviews. Jodi Cleesattle from American Eagle felt that "there is pain in Sinéad O'Connor's voice, and there probably always will be". She remarked that "loneliness and longing" are highlighted on the song, adding that O'Connor's voice "fits the song perfectly. Her vocals soar and leap unexpectedly but gracefully, making, the ballad, the loveliest of love songs

Stereogum states the song has emotional depth and vulnerability.

The song's core strength lies in its raw emotional expression of longing and loss, particularly in O'Connor's delivery. She masterfully conveys different stages of devastation, from defiant anger to gut-wrenching agony, making the song deeply relatable and impactful. 

Lyrics

All the flowers that you planted,
In the back yard
All died when you went away
I know that living with you baby was sometimes hard
But I'm willing to give it another try

Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you

Think about this…

Have you experienced an irreplaceable loss?

How did you cope and process the experience?

Key Take Aways

• Find ways to process the loss that feel productive and meaningful.

• Loss teaches us a lot about relationships and about ourselves.

Fun Fact Trivia:

This song was written, and orginally recorded in 1985, by which Mega Superstar?

Answer: According to Wikipedia, "Nothing Compares 2 U" was written by the American musician Prince, who recorded a demo in 1984. In 1985, Prince's funk band The Family released their sole studio album, The Family including "Nothing Compares 2 U". It was not released as a single and received little recognition.

Story goes that Prince was not fond of Sinead’s version of the song, and that, in time, Sinead’s personal stamp on the song was so deeply ingrained into our culture that she eventually viewed the song as her own.

Love is the greatest adventure!

~LaDena

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Love Song Sanctuary, YouTube Edition