Nothing Compares 2U - Music Video Analysis

Nothing Compare 2U by Sinéad O'Connor is a prime example of how to utilise one of the main attractions of a music video, the artist, without taking away from the track itself or treating the artist in a voyeuristic way (as described in Goodwin's Laws). Originally, the song was written and composed by the artist Prince, as one of his side projects - the band The Family. However, it did not become a worldwide hit until Sinéad O'Connor covered the song and released it as her second single in her second studio album, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got -though this was not the version that made the song so popular. Sinéad O'Connor later recorded and produced the song alongside the artist Nellee Hooper, and this is the version that caused the success of the track. The music video created for this song (above) is now an iconic music video and was popular on channels such as MTV at the time.

The black costume and background manage to
remove voyeuristic treatment of the artist
and place the focus on her and what she is doing

The music video itself focuses massively on the artist herself - Sinéad O'Connor. This is done by using close up shots of Sinéad O'Connor that cause you to relate to the artist and emphasize with her emotions - and this is important in this music video, as you see her emotions progress drastically through the music video. Normally, when a female artist is focused upon it is in a voyeuristic way that exploits narcissism (the notion of looking). However, in this music video, this does not occur. The completely back background that appears whenever there shot of Sinéad O'Connor singing (which is most of the time) removes any part of the mise-en-scene which would be voyeuristic. Her costume is also completely black and means that the only visible part of her body is her head. This black costume blends into the black background and you are left with what can look like a floating head! The costume is normally the main source of voyeurism, and the way it is implemented here causes you to be completely focused on her face, her expressions, her emotion and her singing.

These factors progress as you watch the music video. At the beginning, she is composed and cold-looking, but as you watch the music video she becomes more emotional, to the point where you can visibly see tears rolling down her face at the end. These emotions emphasize the lyrics as well - this song describes the loss of a lover that she cannot bear to be without, as nothing compares to him. An example of this is when she sings about her doctor telling her to get out and have fun, she sings with anger in her voice and on her face.

You visibly see the emotions of
the artist progress through
the music video

At certain points of the song, the music video moves away from this type of shots and uses fading effects to create striking images of old statues and constructions. You occasionally see the artist herself walking through these angelic statues while looking like a black angel herself in her long, dark robe. The black costume makes her stand out and signifies her loss of a loved one - walking through a graveyard by herself emphasizes the feeling of isolation. These images are memorable and well-timed - they ensure that you do not get bored of the long close up shots of Sinéad O'Connor.

Cross fades are used well to
create an effective montage

Furthermore, these shots are used more at one point of the video than any other - around the middle point of the song, a montage is created using close up shots of Sinéad O'Connor's face and shots of the graveyard. This montage is vital in adding some variety to the music video and is subtle enough to fit into the music video without ruining the slow, reflective tone. This is done by using the symbolic statues and some different angle close up shots of the artist. The primary video transition used is a cross fade, and this creates a dynamic transition while keeping to aforementioned tone of the song - if a large, invasive transition was used it would ruin the pacing of the music video completely.

In addition, the genre of this song is alternative pop - it is slower and more meaningful, perhaps, than most pop songs. The more respectful nature of the song also sets it apart from the mainstream nature of traditional pop. The track still retains some aspects of the genre, though, such as a focus on the artist. In the pop genre, the artist is one of the main aspects of the track, the music video and how it is marketed.