Nothing Compares 2 U
Updated: 5/24/2026, 7:10:52 PM Wikipedia source
"Nothing Compares 2 U" is a 1990 song by PRINCE, covered by Irish singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor from her second studio album, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got (1990). Written by American musician Prince and co-produced by O'Connor and Nellee Hooper, "Nothing Compares 2 U" is a pop song with lyrics expressing an abandoned lover's feelings of longing. Prince originally conceived "Nothing Compares 2 U" for his band the Family, and the first version was recorded in 1984 for their self-titled debut album (1985). O'Connor's rendition was released as a single in early 1990 by Chrysalis Records and became a worldwide hit. Its accompanying music video, directed by John Maybury, received heavy rotation on MTV. In December 1990, Billboard magazine named "Nothing Compares 2 U" the " World Single" of 1990 at its first Billboard Music Awards. It was the second-best-selling single of 1990 in the UK and the third-best-selling song for 1990 in the US. In 1993, Prince released a live version of "Nothing Compares 2 U", with Rosie Gaines on guest vocals, on his compilation album The Hits/The B-Sides. His 1984 demo was released as a single in 2018 and included on the 2019 compilation Originals.
Infobox
B-side
"Jump in the River"
Released
8 January 1990
Studio
S (Dublin, Ireland) Britannia Row (London, UK) Westside (London)
Genre
Pop
Length
5:10
Label
Chrysalis
Songwriter
Prince
Producers
Sinéad O'Connor Nellee Hooper Chris Birkett
Tables
Weekly chart performance for "Nothing Compares 2 U" · Charts › Weekly charts
Australia (ARIA)
Australia (ARIA)
Chart (1990)
Australia (ARIA)
Peak
position
1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)
Chart (1990)
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)
Peak
position
1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)
Chart (1990)
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)
Peak
position
1
Canada Top Singles (RPM)
Canada Top Singles (RPM)
Chart (1990)
Canada Top Singles (RPM)
Peak
position
1
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)
Chart (1990)
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)
Peak
position
1
Denmark (IFPI)
Denmark (IFPI)
Chart (1990)
Denmark (IFPI)
Peak
position
1
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)
Chart (1990)
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)
Peak
position
1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)
Chart (1990)
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)
Peak
position
1
France (SNEP)
France (SNEP)
Chart (1990)
France (SNEP)
Peak
position
5
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn)
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn)
Chart (1990)
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn)
Peak
position
1
Ireland (IRMA)
Ireland (IRMA)
Chart (1990)
Ireland (IRMA)
Peak
position
1
Italy (Musica e dischi)
Italy (Musica e dischi)
Chart (1990)
Italy (Musica e dischi)
Peak
position
1
Italy Airplay (Music & Media)
Italy Airplay (Music & Media)
Chart (1990)
Italy Airplay (Music & Media)
Peak
position
1
Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)
Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)
Chart (1990)
Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)
Peak
position
1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)
Chart (1990)
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)
Peak
position
1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
Chart (1990)
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
Peak
position
1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)
Chart (1990)
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)
Peak
position
1
Norway (VG-lista)
Norway (VG-lista)
Chart (1990)
Norway (VG-lista)
Peak
position
1
Portugal (AFP)
Portugal (AFP)
Chart (1990)
Portugal (AFP)
Peak
position
1
Quebec (ADISQ)
Quebec (ADISQ)
Chart (1990)
Quebec (ADISQ)
Peak
position
1
Spain (AFYVE)
Spain (AFYVE)
Chart (1990)
Spain (AFYVE)
Peak
position
4
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)
Chart (1990)
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)
Peak
position
1
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
Chart (1990)
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
Peak
position
1
UK Singles (OCC)
UK Singles (OCC)
Chart (1990)
UK Singles (OCC)
Peak
position
1
US Billboard Hot 100
US Billboard Hot 100
Chart (1990)
US Billboard Hot 100
Peak
position
1
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)
Chart (1990)
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)
Peak
position
2
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)
Chart (1990)
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)
Peak
position
1
US Cash Box Top 100
US Cash Box Top 100
Chart (1990)
US Cash Box Top 100
Peak
position
1
West Germany (GfK)
West Germany (GfK)
Chart (1990)
West Germany (GfK)
Peak
position
1
| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
| Australia (ARIA) | 1 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 1 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 1 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 1 |
| Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM) | 1 |
| Denmark (IFPI) | 1 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | 1 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) | 1 |
| France (SNEP) | 5 |
| Iceland (Íslenski Listinn) | 1 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 1 |
| Italy (Musica e dischi) | 1 |
| Italy Airplay (Music & Media) | 1 |
| Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg) | 1 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 1 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 1 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 1 |
| Norway (VG-lista) | 1 |
| Portugal (AFP) | 1 |
| Quebec (ADISQ) | 1 |
| Spain (AFYVE) | 4 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 1 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 1 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 1 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 2 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard) | 1 |
| US Cash Box Top 100 | 1 |
| West Germany (GfK) | 1 |
2010 weekly chart performance for "Nothing Compares 2 U" · Charts › Weekly charts
Poland Airplay (ZPAV)
Poland Airplay (ZPAV)
Chart (2010)
Poland Airplay (ZPAV)
Peak
position
1
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
| Poland Airplay (ZPAV) | 1 |
2011 weekly chart performance for "Nothing Compares 2 U" · Charts › Weekly charts
Denmark (Tracklisten)
Denmark (Tracklisten)
Chart (2011)
Denmark (Tracklisten)
Peak
position
19
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
| Denmark (Tracklisten) | 19 |
2023 weekly chart performance for "Nothing Compares 2 U" · Charts › Weekly charts
Global 200 (Billboard)
Global 200 (Billboard)
Chart (2023)
Global 200 (Billboard)
Peak
position
118
Ireland (IRMA)
Ireland (IRMA)
Chart (2023)
Ireland (IRMA)
Peak
position
7
Israel (Media Forest)
Israel (Media Forest)
Chart (2023)
Israel (Media Forest)
Peak
position
3
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)
Chart (2023)
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)
Peak
position
20
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
Chart (2023)
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
Peak
position
47
UK Singles (OCC)
UK Singles (OCC)
Chart (2023)
UK Singles (OCC)
Peak
position
30
UK Indie (OCC)
UK Indie (OCC)
Chart (2023)
UK Indie (OCC)
Peak
position
5
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)
Chart (2023)
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)
Peak
position
10
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
| Global 200 (Billboard) | 118 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 7 |
| Israel (Media Forest) | 3 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) | 20 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 47 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 30 |
| UK Indie (OCC) | 5 |
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard) | 10 |
Year-end chart performance for "Nothing Compares 2 U" · Charts › Year-end charts
Australia (ARIA)
Australia (ARIA)
Chart (1990)
Australia (ARIA)
Position
1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)
Chart (1990)
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)
Position
2
Belgium (Ultratop)
Belgium (Ultratop)
Chart (1990)
Belgium (Ultratop)
Position
3
Canada Top Singles (RPM)
Canada Top Singles (RPM)
Chart (1990)
Canada Top Singles (RPM)
Position
3
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)
Chart (1990)
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)
Position
1
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)
Chart (1990)
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)
Position
1
Germany (Media Control)
Germany (Media Control)
Chart (1990)
Germany (Media Control)
Position
2
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)
Chart (1990)
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)
Position
1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
Chart (1990)
Netherlands (Single Top 100)
Position
1
New Zealand (RIANZ)
New Zealand (RIANZ)
Chart (1990)
New Zealand (RIANZ)
Position
11
Sweden (Topplistan)
Sweden (Topplistan)
Chart (1990)
Sweden (Topplistan)
Position
3
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
Chart (1990)
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
Position
6
UK Singles (OCC)
UK Singles (OCC)
Chart (1990)
UK Singles (OCC)
Position
2
US Billboard Hot 100
US Billboard Hot 100
Chart (1990)
US Billboard Hot 100
Position
3
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)
Chart (1990)
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)
Position
26
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)
Chart (1990)
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)
Position
6
US Cash Box Top 100
US Cash Box Top 100
Chart (1990)
US Cash Box Top 100
Position
4
| Chart (1990) | Position |
| Australia (ARIA) | 1 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 2 |
| Belgium (Ultratop) | 3 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM) | 3 |
| Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM) | 1 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | 1 |
| Germany (Media Control) | 2 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 1 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 1 |
| New Zealand (RIANZ) | 11 |
| Sweden (Topplistan) | 3 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 6 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 2 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 3 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 26 |
| US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard) | 6 |
| US Cash Box Top 100 | 4 |
References
- "BPI"https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/4645-3468-1
- Sound On Soundhttps://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/classic-tracks-sinead-oconnor-nothing-compares-2-u
- The Atlantichttps://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/04/how-nothing-compares-2-u-endured/391122/
- "Search Results"https://www.billboardmusicawards.com/winners-database/?winnerKeyword=&winnerYear=&winnerCategory=1-world-single
- Music Week
- Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1990
- Pitchforkhttps://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-princes-original-version-of-nothing-compares-2-u
- Musicnoteshttps://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0082563
- Songfactshttp://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=642
- "Prince's heartbreaking song about loss"https://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20160422-princes-heartbreaking-song-about-loss
- YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J95UEfYxW8I&t=23s&ab_channel=MarkPakula
- "Gina Riley - Nothing is There!!! From Fast Forward"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jYPrZ2PA88
- Gavin Reporthttps://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Gavin-Report/90/90/Gavin-1990-03-09.pdf
- American Eagle
- Billboardhttps://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1990/BB-1990-03-10.pdf
- Cashboxhttps://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1990/CB-1990-03-31.pdf
- Entertainment Weeklyhttps://ew.com/article/1990/03/16/i-do-not-want-what-i-havent-got/
- Spokane Chroniclehttps://books.google.com/books?id=Z-4iAAAAIBAJ
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-03-18-ca-757-story.html
- Melody Makerhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52014187340/