The Irish are masters at storytelling. Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, James Joyce, W.B. Yeats… and don’t count out the musicians. Bono and Sinéad O’Connor are just a couple of examples. Both born in Dublin, Ireland, Bono and O’Connor were steadfast Irish citizens and participated in the broader tradition of being an Irish wordsmith. It’s also worth noting that Bono often celebrated O’Connor’s music and politically idealistic actions.
Videos by American Songwriter
Given that O’Connor did not become popular until the ’90s, her guide to fame, in a way, was Bono and U2. Bono and the band saw her coming from a mile away. They watched her as she climbed the ranks of the music industry with her politically inciting lyrics and inspirational themes. Consequently, Bono spoke highly about his fellow Irish compatriot on several different occasions.
How Sinéad O’Connor Stole Bono’s Heart
In 2020, Bono wrote an open letter to Sinéad O’Connor on his 60th birthday. Luckily, the Irish Post was able to get their hands on a copy and share the contents with the public. Bono wrote in his letter to O’Connor: “I heard your voice first as a teenager. Maybe you were 15 or 16. It was a demo of a song called [“Take My Hand”] from Steve Wickham’s newly formed band in Tua Nua and I felt I had stumbled upon a new land with its own unique voice.”
“I was as impressed as everyone else with all the great singing and songs along the way,” Bono’s letter continued. “The next time I was moved like this was at a solo show here in Dublin where you sang [“You Made Me The Thief Of Your Heart”] and you stole my heart all over again.”
Regarding Bono’s last statement, the song he mentions was actually written by him. Though, he gifted it to O’Connor, who then sang it in the Irish film, In The Name Of The Father. As a matter of fact, this collaboration earned Sinéad O’Connor a Golden Globe nomination.
When Sinéad O’Connor tragically passed away in 2023, Bono performed a cover of “Nothing Compares 2 U” at her funeral. “Nothing Compares 2 U” is the Prince cover that made her a household name in the US and gave her the platform she so often used for the greater good. Funnily enough, O’Connor actually once made a joke about Bono performing at her funeral. That is a story for another time.
Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.