My second favorite album of 1990 is Sinead O’Connor’s sophomore release, the worldwide smash I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got. This was O’Connor’s second album, following the fierce The Lion and the Cobra, but the first impression many of us had of this remarkable talent.
Who can forget that impossibly beautiful porcelain face and bald head singing ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ against a black background on MTV?
My high school girlfriend introduced me to this album and I took to it immediately. O’Connor turned out to not just have a striking face and beautiful voice but a confidence and fearlessness that shone through in her songwriting.
The album is heavy on ballads, many whispered over hushed acoustic guitars, but rocks out on one memorable tune, ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes.’ O’Connor sings about tragedies both personal and political, giving a glimpse early in her career of what a controversial figure she would become.
Today’s song, written about O’Connor’s troubled relationship with her mother, is a standout.
Like I never was before
It’s too late for prevention
But I don’t think it’s too late for cure
So you call in your minions
See what you can find
Night time or morning
These hands are sticky but I don’t mind
Why must you always be around?
Why can’t you just leave it be?
It’s done nothing so far but destroy my life
You cause as much sorrow dead
As you did when you were alive
I never said I was tough
That was everyone else
So you’re a fool to attack me
For the image that you built yourself
It just sounds more vicious
Than I actually mean
I really am soft + tender + sweet
Why must you always be around?
Why can’t you just leave it be?
It’s done nothing so far but destroy my life
You cause as much sorrow dead
As you did when you were alive
Why must you always be around?
Why can’t you just leave it be?
It’s done nothing so far but destroy my life
You cause as much sorrow dead
As you did when you were alive
Meet Me In Montauk 
Such a strong, confident album.