Who Wrote Nothing Compares 2 U
Prince wrote the song Nothing Compares 2 U in 1985 as a solo composition for The Family, a side project from his band The Revolution. The track first appeared on The Family's self-titled album, released by Warner Bros. Records. Prince is credited as the sole songwriter on the original release, and the lyrics and melody were his creation, not a collaboration. The composition later became globally famous through Sinéad O'Connor's 1990 cover version, but Prince remains the original writer. You can find the original songwriter credit on the album liner notes and on music databases linked by the Recording Academy.
The song is structured around a simple chord progression and a direct emotional lyric about loss and absence. Prince wrote it on guitar, and the original recording features a sparse arrangement that highlights the vocal and lyrics. The composition is registered with performing rights organizations, and the writer is listed as Prince Rogers Nelson. The melody and lyric have been sampled and covered many times, but the underlying writing credit stays with Prince. The original version is available on streaming platforms and physical media distributed by Warner Music Group.
Original Recording and Release
The Family's album came out in 1985, and Nothing Compares 2 U was one of the standout tracks. The record was produced under Prince's Paisley Park imprint and distributed by Warner Bros. Records. The song was not released as a single at the time, but it gained attention among fans and musicians. The original recording sessions took place at Prince's home studio, and the track showcases his songwriting and vocal style. The album is cataloged by the Library of Congress and referenced in music history sources.
After Prince's death in 2016, his catalog and songwriting royalties passed to his estate. The estate manages licensing, sync deals, and royalty collection for songs including Nothing Compares 2 U. The original master recordings are controlled by the rights holders within Prince's estate and Warner Music Group. The song continues to generate royalties from streaming, radio play, and sync usage in film and television. The estate has also overseen the release of previously unreleased material and reissues that include this track.
Sinéad O'Connor's Cover and Global Success
Sinéad O'Connor's 1990 version of Nothing Compares 2 U became a worldwide hit and reached number one in multiple countries. Her cover was produced by Nellee Hooper and released on Ensign and Chrysalis Records. The single spent weeks at the top of charts including the UK Singles Chart and the Billboard Hot 100. O'Connor's interpretation brought the song to a new audience, but the writing credit remained with Prince. The cover is one of the best-selling singles of the 1990s and is listed in Billboard's historical chart archives.
The song's enduring popularity is driven by streaming platforms, where both the original and cover versions continue to be played. Modern listeners discover the track through playlists, sync placements, and social media. The songwriting royalties are collected globally by the estate and performance rights organizations. The composition is studied in music courses and cited in articles about influential pop and R&B writing. The legacy of Nothing Compares 2 U is documented by industry sources and music education platforms.