In 1984, Prince recorded a song called “Nothing Compares 2 U,” which, rather than release it himself, he sent to Paul “St. Paul” Peterson of The Family. The band, which Prince had assembled, recorded the track for Prince’s label, Paisley Park Records, and it appeared on their debut album. But the song remained a largely unheard B-side until Sinead O’Connor covered it in 1990—a version that remains the best known recording of the song.
The studio version that he originally recorded has never been heard—until Thursday when Prince’s estate, along with Warner Bros. Records, released the original version of “Nothing Compares 2 U” written, arranged, performed, and produced by Prince.
Prince didn’t want to release the track under his own name, because it was about a domestic life that he’d never had.
Chris Edwards Author, Mentor/Executive Coach & Political Consultant 