we all know it "nothing compares two u", but she's written so many extraordinary songs over the years. she wrote the song after breaking up with peter gabriel, and it is a deep, hypnotic song, a really meditative song on almost surprising yourself by the depth that sorrow can go to, it's almost a prayer in a way, and the song she wrote with bono for the film in the name of the father or, a moody melody with an irish lilt to it, these songs touch

you in an emotional way, she could deliver the simplest of messages in a heartbreaking way. she deliver the simplest of messages in a heartbreaking way.— deliver the simplest of messages in a heartbreaking way. she named bob - ian, a heartbreaking way. she named bob dylan. david — a heartbreaking way. she named bob dylan, david bowie, _ a heartbreaking way. she named bob dylan, david bowie, and _ a heartbreaking way. she named bob dylan, david bowie, and bob- a heartbreaking way. she named bob dylan, david bowie, and bob marley| dylan, david bowie, and bob marley who really influenced her especially in those early years. find who really influenced her especially in those early years.— in those early years. and they are all --eole in those early years. and they are all peeple who. — in those early years. and they are all people who, like _ in those early years. and they are all people who, like her, - in those early years. and they are all people who, like her, could i all people who, like her, could interpret a song in a way that nobody else could, they were all people who poured their own spirit and life into the lyrics, even when they were covering somebody else's song, with "nothing compares two u", they are artists through and through who speak through their lyrics and speak truth to their lyrics. that's what she wanted to do as a protest singer but also as a singer of heartbreak and love. if singer but also as a singer of heartbreak and love.- heartbreak and love. if we think about her childhood _ heartbreak and love. if we think about her childhood and - heartbreak and love. if we thinkl about her childhood and troubled youth, her mother died in a car accident in 1985, her mother was

quite young as well, just 45 after losing control of her car. sinead o'connor was 18 at the time but even by that stage, they had many twists and turns in her life, she was sent to the mega asylum training centre dash to lean asylum. she would've said the magdalene asylum had dramatic expenses for her, it was also where musical career began because paul burns saw her singing there and he was the one suggested she get into recording. he got her to co—write one of his hands singles and she got spotted by a record label in the uk and signed, and they were the ones who gave her and they were the ones who gave her a recording contract. so in a way, as with all art, the trauma did feed into the artist she became. bier?

into the artist she became. very much s0- _ into the artist she became. very much s0- i'm — into the artist she became. very much so. i'm looking _ into the artist she became. very much so. i'm looking at - into the artist she became. very much so. i'm looking at a - into the artist she became. very much so. i'm looking at a quote here from her where she said, "i don't do anything in order to cause trouble, itjust so happens that anything in order to cause trouble, it just so happens that what anything in order to cause trouble, itjust so happens that what i do naturally causes trouble. i'm proud to be a troublemaker cycles an earlier recruit nikki talk about the ripping up the picture of the pope in the scandal that that caused and created. ., ., , in the scandal that that caused and created. . ., , ., , in the scandal that that caused and created. . . , ., , ., ., created. that was a big deal, and america that _ created. that was a big deal, and america that led _ created. that was a big deal, and america that led to _ created. that was a big deal, and america that led to people - created. that was a big deal, and i america that led to people in times square getting a steam roller and crushing copies of her album in protest. a couple weeks later she went on stage with bob dylan and she was booed in madison square garden. it's amazing what she did in that moment, if you watch that video on youtube, it's incredible because she takes stock of the audience's reaction, then steps up to the microphone and sings bob marley's "war" which is the song she performed on saturday night live before she tore off that photo, which had hung on her mother's wall as a child, that exact same picture.

she took all that in, i don't know if anyone in their 20s would've had their pulleys and ability to overcome that reaction from an audience, but she did. and i think that speaks to what nikki schiller was saying earlier, that for her it was saying earlier, that for her it was a reset moment. she didn't want to be a pop star, showing to be a singer who made successful political songs to a small audience, and "nothing compares two u" turned her into something else, a product of the music machine. in later years she wrote to miley cyrus warning her of the evils of the music industry. that's who she was, she didn't want to be a product, she wanted to be a real person making real music. in many ways she succeeded at that. she was a singular talent who stood out for what she believed in and was unafraid to say at.—

unafraid to say at. we've been s-ueakin unafraid to say at. we've been speaking about _ unafraid to say at. we've been speaking about this _ unafraid to say at. we've been speaking about this moment l unafraid to say at. we've been i speaking about this moment with unafraid to say at. we've been - speaking about this moment with the pope photograph but there are many other point in her career, even though she was given a helping hand by you to, she slacked them off saying she lost interest in her music because it lost its spirituality and was too bombastic. she caused controversy in ireland by saying she supported the actions of the ajer way —— ira, which is still a controversial thing to say. but she spoke her mind and was prepared to take the consequences of speaking her mind, which a lot of people aren't especially in an industry where what you say dictates the number of records you sell. let’s number of records you sell. let's have another _ number of records you sell. let's have another listen _ number of records you sell. let's have another listen in _ number of records you sell. let's have another listen in to - number of records you sell. let's have another listen in to her - number of records you sell. let's have another listen in to her voice and some of her music.

she sings # precious love... # precious love... # i'll build my world around you

# i'll build my world around you # all blessed the day i found you # all blessed the day i found you # i'll stay beside you and never leave or tell you all those lies i should never # won't dish the dirt with the rest of the girls # that's why the lady is the tramp # that's why the lady is the tramp # she likes the free fresh wind in her hair # life without care # life without care # she's broke, who cares?

# she's broke, who cares? # your hope gives me hope # where it used to only be gray # never try again # never try again... # never try again #nevert aaain... �* �* . ~ ~ ,. sinead # never try again. .. applause sinead o'connor— # never try again... applause sinead o'connor has _ # never try again... applause sinead o'connor has died - # never try again... applause sinead o'connor has died at - # never try again... applausej sinead o'connor has died at the # never try again... applause - sinead o'connor has died at the age of 56. you can see the tweet from the irish leader leo radtke that he's really sorry to hear of the singer's death, saying her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare. condolences to herfamily,

herfriends, and all who compare. condolences to herfamily, her friends, and all who loved her." you can see there that he says in irish, "may her sole goal into god's hands." —— may her soul go. we've also had a statement from the family who say that they are devastated and... we are hearing there from leo over radtke whose past his condolences to all her fans, friends and family and those who loved her music, and that her talent was unmatched. she was an icon democrat irish icon, loved not just in her home country but right across the world? she

just in her home country but right across the world?— just in her home country but right across the world? she sold millions of albums. — across the world? she sold millions of albums, particularly _ across the world? she sold millions of albums, particularly in _ across the world? she sold millions of albums, particularly in the - across the world? she sold millions of albums, particularly in the late l of albums, particularly in the late 80s and early 90s, and she was given a special award just earlier this year by our awards for the best classic irish album, so it's a lifetime achievement award for the album that had "nothing compares two ur. album that had "nothing compares two u" on it, and that night she stood on the stage and dedicated the award to each and every member of arlen�*s refugee community. should she was making those political protest statements up until the end, she was always deeply involved in political causes. but she was known all around the world, and instantly recognised because of that severe buzz cut that framed those delicate features, and the reason for that image she had is when she signed it to a record label

first of all in the 1980s, they pressured her to grow her hair long and dress in short skirts, and her instant reaction to that was to go off and buy a pair of ball for boots and shave her head. and that was the look she maintained for the rest of her life. she was always an individual and i think that's why so many people fell in love with her. absolutely, always doing it her way and not succumbing to the pressures of the industry, the demands on women certainly in the 19805 — 905, the expectations that she should fit the expectations that she should fit the mould, something that she would remain a contrarian and do it her way in the way that she believed should be dealt. find way in the way that she believed should be dealt.— way in the way that she believed should be dealt. and i think that's in her music. _ should be dealt. and i think that's in her music, as _ should be dealt. and i think that's in her music, as well. _ should be dealt. and i think that's in her music, as well. we - should be dealt. and i think that's in her music, as well. we know i should be dealt. and i think that'sl in her music, as well. we know the big hit5 in her music, as well. we know the big hits like" think you for hearing

me" and "nothing compares two u". she had an abrasive edge, 5he me" and "nothing compares two u". she had an abrasive edge, she was an alternative musician, 5he she had an abrasive edge, she was an alternative musician, she was someone who wanted to push the envelope and promote people with her words and music. it's interesting, we will hear a lot more of those subtle songs over the next 24 hours, but it really is worth diving into her back catalogue and digging back some of those harder, more abra5ive track5 some of those harder, more abra5ive tracks to hear what she really thought. tracks to hear what she really thou:ht. ~ , , ., tracks to hear what she really thou:ht. , , . thought. absolutely, and you mentioned — thought. absolutely, and you mentioned earlier _ thought. absolutely, and you mentioned earlier the - thought. absolutely, and you mentioned earlier the classic| thought. absolutely, and you - mentioned earlier the classic irish mentioned earlier the classic iri5h album, the inaugural award 5he mentioned earlier the classic iri5h album, the inaugural award she won, but it was one of many — so many grammy nominations, a5 but it was one of many — so many grammy nominations, as well. yes. grammy nominations, as well. yes, but she famously _ grammy nominations, as well. yes but she famously boycotted the but she famou5ly boycotted the grammy awards, saying it was all about ca5h grammy awards, saying it was all about cash and she wasn't interested in that, which again was sticking to her principles, that was the sinead o'connor modu5 her principles, that was the sinead o'connor modus operandi. and

her principles, that was the sinead o'connor modus operandi.- her principles, that was the sinead o'connor modus operandi. and as you said, her o'connor modus operandi. and as you said. her making _ o'connor modus operandi. and as you said, her making her _ o'connor modus operandi. and as you said, her making her mark _ o'connor modus operandi. and as you said, her making her mark on - said, her making her mark on saturday night live for the performances that she did — wherever she went, 5he performances that she did — wherever she went, she stood her ground and stood firm with her belief5. even 5tood firm with her belief5. even the award you talked about, dedicating it to refugees, each and every member of ireland's refugee community right till the very end, whatever accolade 5he community right till the very end, whatever accolade she got, 5he whatever accolade she got, she wanted to highlight the causes 5he wanted to highlight the causes she believed in. , . , ., , believed in. yes, and i remember as a teenager— believed in. yes, and i remember as a teenager looking _ believed in. yes, and i remember as a teenager looking at _ believed in. yes, and i remember as a teenager looking at imagers - believed in. yes, and i remember as a teenager looking at imagers of - a teenager looking at imagers of her, i think it was an smash hits magazine and she wore a t—shirt that said "wear a condom close go on it 5aid "wear a condom close go on it at the time where there is a lot of 5care5 about aids, 5he at the time where there is a lot of 5care5 about aids, she was out there being bold and making statements, and being human about things. i think she was always afraid of people whose scaremongering, that's why she was reaching out and

embracing the refugee community, that's why in the 805 5he embracing the refugee community, that's why in the 805 she was reaching out and embracing the gay community, 5he reaching out and embracing the gay community, she was a person who, like we said with her family, felt deeply loved and loved it deeply. that wasn't restricted to her kith and kin, 5he that wasn't restricted to her kith and kin, she was someone who really did take on the problems of the world and feel like she had something to offer. that's why she trained as a priest despite all her problems with the catholic church, and i think that's also why she converted to islam later in her life. �* , . converted to islam later in her life. ~ , ., ., . life. and she had four children, we soke a life. and she had four children, we spoke a little _ life. and she had four children, we spoke a little bit _ life. and she had four children, we spoke a little bit about _ life. and she had four children, we spoke a little bit about the - life. and she had four children, we spoke a little bit about the death l spoke a little bit about the death of her son, the impact of that, she leaves behind herfamily, her children and siblings. she leaves behind her family, her children and siblings. she leaves behind three _ children and siblings. she leaves behind three children, _ children and siblings. she leaves behind three children, her - children and siblings. she leaves behind three children, her son i children and siblings. she leaves i behind three children, her son died not like long ago which had a big impact on her and she spoke about him often. in the months in the year after his death, and obviously that

took a great toll on her as it would took a great toll on her as it would to any mother, any parent who lost a child. but she will be remembered by herfamily — in their child. but she will be remembered by her family — in their statement, they've asked for privacy because this is obviously an unexpected and devastating loss.— devastating loss. let's get that statement _ devastating loss. let's get that statement back _ devastating loss. let's get that statement back on _ devastating loss. let's get that statement back on our- devastating loss. let's get that statement back on our screen i devastating loss. let's get that - statement back on our screen again, and in their statement, herfamily 5ay... thinking of these ma55ive thinking of these massive stars that are love to ross democrat acro55 thinking of these massive stars that are love to ross democrat across the world, we forget that they have family that are directly impacted by the loss. �* , .. family that are directly impacted by the loss. �* ., , the loss. i've spoken to people in the loss. i've spoken to people in the ast the loss. i've spoken to people in the past to _ the loss. i've spoken to people in the past to have _ the loss. i've spoken to people in the past to have lost _ the loss. i've spoken to people in the past to have lost someone i the loss. i've spoken to people in i the past to have lost someone very dear who the world loves, and i think it's very difficult to

dissociate people's desire to pay di55ociate people's desire to pay tribute to someone you loved and acknowledge that, and accept it, while the same time going through your own personal grief and trying to process that loss. we don't know the circumstances of her death at the moment but they could be going through all sorts of emotions. it really is a very difficult time for anyone, and i think as fans and journalists, it's ourjob to celebrate what sinead did and to make sure the family know that she was loved without being intrusive. and we'lljust get that was loved without being intrusive. and we'll just get that statement al5o and we'll just get that statement also up from leo varadkar who said he was really sorry to hear the singer's death...

mark, thank you so much for all of your thoughts and analysis, and talking so movingly about sinead o'connor, who has died at the age of 56. let's have a little listen in again to her voice. # i said will you be my lover? when i lay down my head four # nothing would please me better # nothing would please me better # than to find that you're there...

she sings # your precious love # your precious love # i'll build my world around you # i'll build my world around you # i'll build my world around you # i'll bless the day i found you # i'll bless the day i found you # i'll bless the day i found you # i'll stay be5ide # i'll bless the day i found you # i'll stay beside you and # i'll stay beside you and # never leave or tell you all those lie5 # never leave or tell you all those lies i should never believe...

# won't di5h the dirt # won't di5h the dirt # with the rest of the girls # with the rest of the girls # that's why the lady is a tramp # that's why the lady is a # she likes the free fresh wind in her hair # life without care # life without care # she's broke, who cares? # she's broke, who cares? # your hope gives me hope # your hope gives me # son's peeking out of the sky # son's peeking out of the sky # where it used to only be gray # where it used to only be gray # and he never try again

# and he never try again # never try again... applause sinead o'connor, _ # never try again... applause sinead o'connor, whose - # never try again... applause sinead o'connor, whose died i # never try again... applausej sinead o'connor, whose died at # never try again... applause - sinead o'connor, whose died at the age of 56. let's bring in dave fanning, a major mu5ic dj in ireland and has been for years. dave, thanks forjoining u5 mu5ic dj in ireland and has been for years. dave, thanks forjoining us i year5. dave, thanks forjoining us i know it's a difficult time, and you do look incredibly emotional. i imagine you spent time with sinead, and of course this news is always difficult to take in. it and of course this news is always difficult to take in.— difficult to take in. it really is because we _ difficult to take in. it really is because i've only _ difficult to take in. it really is because i've onlyjust - difficult to take in. it really is because i've onlyjust heard, | difficult to take in. it really is - because i've onlyjust heard, and sinead's life was always quite fragile, yet she was one of the most fearle55 people i've ever met in my entire life, and she was uncompromising. she had a

self—deprecating, pragmatic, 5harp ob5erver self—deprecating, pragmatic, 5harp observer of everything and took no pri5oner5 observer of everything and took no prisoners and always had ideas about what she believed in, and always believed in those ideas, realising that, "this is me, if you don't like me you can go somewhere else." 30 years ago she tore up the picture of the pope on the television and it ruined your career. it didn't really do much good for her after that because the last two albums were huge, the next few weren't, and the last two are some of the most welcoming mu5ic last two are some of the most welcoming music we ever had from sinead. some lovely stuff on those albums, but she really didn't want to compromise anything, what she did on the early 905, everything came through ten years later in terms of the church and its terrible stories, etc, and truly was brilliant. she was also very funny, by the way. you sent was also very funny, by the way. you spent some — was also very funny, by the way. you spent some time _ was also very funny, by the way. you spent some time with her, tell us

about the interactions you had with her succulent in the early days in ireland, she was in a band than she had herfirst album. the ireland, she was in a band than she had her first album. the first interview she did, she came into the studio, she ignored the record company to the point where she said" i'm producing the album, you not." they said if you do, i'll eat my hat. he actually ate his hat because it was a huge success, and that was sinead from the beginning. the last thing she did when her son shane died, the last thing she did in public, i had to give her an award, the equivalent of the mercury music prize in england, it's called the choice award, and the award was for a classic album. when she came out on stage, honestly the whole crowd just wanted to throw their arms around her, they were so happy to see her, and she was so happy to see them, she was smiling and in a great

mood, talking beforehand about the other people who had been on. and she was great, she really was brilliant. �* , ., ., .. brilliant. and she had that sort of im act on brilliant. and she had that sort of impact on irish _ brilliant. and she had that sort of impact on irish society, _ brilliant. and she had that sort of impact on irish society, on - brilliant. and she had that sort of impact on irish society, on an - impact on irish society, on an entire generation, but also the younger generation who were in many ways ahead of her time, regarding how controversial those moves were, including the tearing up of the picture of the pope. ten years ahead of those conversations actually being had. of those conversations actually being had-— of those conversations actually bein: had. stir . being had. 100% correct, in even since then _ being had. 10096 correct, in even since then she _ being had. 10096 correct, in even since then she hasn't _ being had. 10096 correct, in even since then she hasn't got - being had. 10096 correct, in even since then she hasn't got a - being had. 10096 correct, in even since then she hasn't got a lot i being had. 10096 correct, in even since then she hasn't got a lot of| since then she hasn't got a lot of the recognition she deserves, but certainly from over 45—year—olds. under five—year—olds, certainly from over 45—year—olds. underfive—year—olds, 25—20 certainly from over 45—year—olds. under five—year—olds, 25—20 then, were hundred percent behind sinead, who realised this was not a person who realised this was not a person who wouldn't be heard... deere

who realised this was not a person who wouldn't be heard. . ._ who wouldn't be heard... dave we will have to _ who wouldn't be heard... dave we will have to hold _ who wouldn't be heard... dave we will have to hold you _ who wouldn't be heard... dave we will have to hold you there - who wouldn't be heard. .. dave we will have to hold you there for- who wouldn't be heard... dave we j will have to hold you there for one moment, sinead o'connor has died at the age of 56. # all the flowers that you planted, mother, in the back yard # all died when you withered away # i know that living with you baby was sometimes hard # but i'm willing to give it another try... # nothing compares # nothing compares # nothing compares to # nothing compares to you... # nothing compares to you...

# nothing compares to you... hello. wednesday did bring us a bit of blue sky and sunshine, particularly for many northern and eastern parts of the uk. but really, july 2023 is turning out to be a pretty soggy month for much of the uk. and there's more rain overnight tonight, moving from west to east. quite a humid feel to the weather tonight certainly

compared to recent nights. here is that area of rain through this evening, then across scotland, central and eastern parts of england, slowly moving northwards and eastward. so something a little bit clearer for northern ireland, perhaps during the early hours of thursday, pushing in across western parts of britain, too. but a lot of low cloud, humid air with us, so temperatures staying in the mid—teens for most of us. a little bit cooler for the north of scotland, down into single figures up towards the northern isles. but we start thursday then under the influence of this area of low pressure. it sits well to the northwest, but these trailing weather fronts will be slow—moving across parts of scotland, initially close to southern england, as well. so i think rain easing away from the south, but perhaps persisting for the channel islands. the northeast of scotland will keep patchy rain all day. elsewhere, murky, low cloud, drizzle around through the morning, but brightening up gradually, so some sunny spells for the afternoon and a few showers around, too. some sunshine perhaps for northern ireland into parts of northern england and wales. temperatures 16—24 for most of us, again, a little cooler for the northern isles, but it is, of course,

the first day of the fifth and final test in the men's ashes at the oval — lots of cloud around there in general. could be a passing afternoon sharp shower, i think, but not persistent rains, so there should be plenty of play, as there should be as we head into friday, as well. now, overnight, then, into friday, most of the showers fade away, mostly dry, just some rain lingering up towards the northern isles. but again, it's a humid night, so temperatures for most of us sitting in the mid—teens. that's how we start friday morning, some sunshine from the word go. it will be the better day, i think, of thursday and friday. so, yes, it's still a few showers, but more sunshine around, and the showers will move through fairly quickly. top temperatures, a little bit warmer than recent days, 18—24 celsius. still a bit colder than that, though, for lerwick, sitting there atjust 15. into the weekend, low pressure drifts eastwards across the northern half of the uk, plenty of showers wrapped around the area of low pressure. we've got another one actually waiting out in the wings, as well. so an unsettled picture, fairly blustery weekend, showers around, a bit drier in the south perhaps on sunday. nothing really drier and warmer, though, till

the second week of august. bye— bye.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news.

# i can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant... sinead o'connor has died at the age of 56. whether you're a cashier, right through to being the boss of natwest, who cannot breach confidentiality. welcome to the programme, we are going to speak about sinead o' connor. kevin spacey acquitted in a london court today, but is he rehabilitated. the actor cried in the dock as the

not guilty verdicts were read out.