<P> "Nothing Compares 2 U" is a song written and composed by Prince for one of his side projects, The Family, for the eponymous album The Family . It was later made famous by Irish recording artist Sinéad O'Connor, whose arrangement was released as the second single from her second studio album, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got . This version, which O'Connor co-produced with Nellee Hooper, became a worldwide hit in 1990 . Its music video received heavy rotation on MTV . Its lyrics explore feelings of longing from the point of view of an abandoned lover . </P> <P> In 1985, The Family, a funk band created as an outlet to release more of Prince's music, released their first and only album, the self - titled The Family . "Nothing Compares 2 U" appeared on the album but it was not released as a single, and received little recognition . </P> <P> Prince performed the song as a live duet with Rosie Gaines, subsequently released on his 1993 compilations The Hits / The B - Sides and The Hits 1, and the 2006 Ultimate Prince compilation . Prince also recorded a solo version of the song for his concert film, Rave Un2 the Year 2000, as well as for his 2002 live album, One Nite Alone...Live! </P> <P> Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report wrote about the song: "A few times each year a song comes along that deserves extra-special recognition . Here's the first such entry of 1990 . Since I've been shouting the praises of Sinead's remarkable interpretation of this Prince - penned tune to many of you for over a month, it was safe to assume it would eventually end up on this page . Absolutely brilliant--and if you haven't caught the video, do yourself a favor and check it out NOW!" </P>

Who sang nothing compares to you with prince