Sinéad O’Connor famously performed Bob Marley’s “War”rather than the Prince-penned song she made a hit on her 1992 SNL turn
Miley Cyrus, Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard, and the Roots teamed up for an excellent tribute to the late Sinéad O’Connor during SNL50: The Anniversary Special on Sunday. Aubrey Plaza, who made her first public appearance following the death of her husband Jeff Baena, introduced the performance.
Backed by the Roots, Cyrus and Howard duetted a soulful, gritty rendition of the Prince-penned “Nothing Compares 2 U,” which became a big hit for O’Connor. (Prince also served as musical guest four times). Their rousing rendition was a fitting tribute to the late singer, who only appeared once on SNL. The song appeared on O’Connor’s 1990 sophomore album, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got, and the single became a worldwide hit, spending four weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100.
While fans may have wanted O’Connor to perform the megahit during her musical guest appearance in 1992, she instead staged a protest against the Catholic Church, performing Bob Marley’s 1976 track “War” a cappella. She then held up a photograph of Pope John Paul II and proceeded to tear it into pieces. “Fight the real enemy,” she declared as she whipped the pieces to the stage floor.
‘SNL50’ is set to feature an all-star cast of alumni, favorite hosts, and musical guests, including Bad Bunny and Paul McCartney. Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon opened the show with a tender performance of “Homeward Bound” and Steve Martin’s monologue featured Martin Short and John Mulaney.
