So the other night I went to a little karaoke shindig for a good friend’s birthday. And as I’m sure you can imagine, it was like an acid trip for me. Constantly on stage with the mic firmly planted in my competitive grip, and my ’90s dramatic ballad ready to spill out of my body like boiling lava over a sleepy, unknowing village.
It was the grandest of times! Even though I lost my voice and sprouted a new lip wrinkle. But something unexpected happened that night which has left me perplexed and bewildered in a way I never thought possible.
See, I sang Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” and while I’ve utterly obsessed over that song since the early ’90s, I’m now suddenly confused by a lyric. And I need your help. I won’t be able to do anything else with my life until I know the answer.
“All the flowers that you planted, mama, in the back yard, all died when you went away.”
HI, WHO IS MAMA? Why all of a sudden is Sinead so concerned about the flowers that died when her mom left? I mean it’s like pining away for your deep love and then mid-lyric, “I should really start writing Christmas cards to get ahead this yeaaaar.”
WAIT. Unless her boyfriend’s NAME was Mama? But then that would be her problem for dating someone named Mama, I mean am I right.
Clearly this is of utmost importance and I need clarity in order to understand my place in this world.
BTW, I made a seriously insane Jalapeno Popper Chicken Chili that you should peep.
I mean I’ve heard of Bubba, but Mama? That’s just creepy, Sinead.
Maybe I should be talking to Prince instead since he wrote the dang tune.
Yeah, that is kinda weird now I think about it. You should definitely ask Prince (or whatever he’s known as these days). We deserve the truth.
I’ve listened to that songs like 1,000 times and somehow never noticed that! We need answers! But I’d start with a bowl of this chili – dang this looks good!
LOL (literally)…u crack me up. Apparently the lyrics to Nothing Compares 2 U have undergone many transitions. Check this out:
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/p/prince/nothing+compares+2+u_20111279.html
My guess is that Sinead, being the loca that she is, just changed it up to suit herself.
Whoa, yum! It’s weird how you always inadvertently sing lyrics, but don’t even know what it’s actually saying, right?!
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!
I would give anything to hear you sing karoake! How fun!
What a fun chili recipe!
That chili would probably make my face melt off! At least you KNOW the lyrics!! I’m always belting out something I swear is the right phrase and my husband is like um, no…that’s not even the words.
I have little bits of that song playing in my head, but I don’t know who Mama is, never heard of Mama.
This is a great chili recipe. I love me a jalapeno popper, so Jalapeno Popper Chili makes me drool.
I haven’t gone to karaoke in forever! And this chili – AMAZING! I could really use a bowl right now!
it’s so nice when i follow a blog that teachs and inpires me so much!
It’s always a pleasure to visit your blog.
Thank you!
Omg that cream cheese puts this over the top. I want.
That is one tasty looking bowl of chili! Great idea!
I love that song! I never noticed the indiscretion in the lyrics before. Oh what a good song to sing karaoke too though! I came by from An Edible Mosaic and I’m following along. You have great style!
Hi Bev! Here’s my theory on the lyrics:
The “flowers you planted momma” was a metaphor for the ideas, values and such that parents try to impart on their children. She doesn’t want to listen to her doctor’s advice (the previous stanza) and she knows her mother would likely tell her the same…but mom’s not around either.
Note: I always thought the lyric was “died and withered away” instead of “died when you went away,” but I think the sentiment is still the same.
And this chicken dish looks divine!