Prince’s estate has released the star’s original 1984 recording of Nothing Compares 2 U, ahead of the second anniversary of his death.
One of Prince’s loneliest songs, it was initially given to his side project, The Family, before Sinead O’Connor made it a hit in 1990.
Prince later reclaimed it in concert, and released a live version of the ballad on his 1993 Hits album.
The song also featured in his last ever show, in Atlanta, on 14 April 2016
Prince’s recording is more ornate than Sinead O’Connor’s stripped-down version, and features a heavy guitar riff and a saxophone solo by frequent collaborator Eric Leeds.
But the backing vocals, recorded by the star’s on-off girlfriend Susannah Melvoin, are a revelation, providing a harmonic counterpoint to the desolate lyrics.
Melvoin later recorded the first released version of the song with The Family, a band Prince put together in 1984 as a showcase for singer Paul Peterson.
“I’m so blessed and honoured to have been singing background vocals on this,” tweeted the singer after Prince’s demo was given its first official release on Thursday. “So much love for him.”
Read the full article at the BBC
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