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From: BrilliantPSB
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  • Prince didn't record the song cause it was too emotional for him at the time. Which is part of his genius, his songs are direct from the heart. According to a Rolling Stone Interview.

  • I still have the original cassette of this first and only recording from the family as well as the other artist of the '80's MPLS era. This original was great, Sinead better;but neither can hold a candle to the version sung by Prince & Rosie Gaines. Unfortunately, many people were late getting to the party and what was coming out of MPLS, by the time Sinead came along

  • This group reformed under the name fDeluxe and released their album "Gaslight" last Sept. It's on Amazon and their on facebook.

  • How did you get this?! I had the full Album, and I can't find it anywhere! I played the hell out of this Album

  • Prince actually singing this song, makes Sinead sound like a sick malnutritioned cat!!!

  • no pasa nada parece de ultratumba...la remejoro o connor

  • Despite who's better. Always respect the original...

  • Guys, we all agree that Sinead O' Connor made this song popular and make her cover of this song classic and a pop standard, but can Prince at LEAST get credit for writing the composition?

  • Respect to Prince, this is his song, always will be, no matter who covers it, it's so good my Dog could do a half decent cover version, great songwriting by a genius in the middle of a prolific period of greatness.

  • 'Can't find the original Controversy album recording. This one isn't it.

  • I loved this version. My dad was a huge fan of Prince and had this album. The actual vinyl album and cassette.

    I can't find this ANYWHERE. Come to find out it's been out of print since the 80s.

    I really want this album back in my life. :-(

  • @EDT3270 I went to Amazon.com to try and buy the cd remaster but that reissue costs $30?!! I wish Warner Bros would make this CD widely available and affordable.

  • We must always thank "PRINCE" for writing and signing this beautiful ballad.  We also must thank "SINEAD O'CONNER" for bringing it to mainstream.

  • Hands down Northern Kings Version sung by the Great Tony Kakko is eaisly the best version of this great song, no disrespect to O'Connor!

  • i remember when sinead's version took over the earth like a plague, a wonderful plague mind you - i knew prince wrote it but assumed then(1990) that he wrote it for sinead. had never heard of the family until later - and i loved most of prince's music from 1982-1990 -- this version is good too, i like his & her vocals, it's the background chorus that sounds odd(oh oh oh oh oh) compared to sinead's version; the better version

  • Why are you all looking at this from the wrong angle?? You can prefer any version you like, that's fine BUT you have to concede that without the original there would be no Sinead O'Connor version....

  • This version is by far hands down the BEST version in its original pure form. Plus O'Conner didn't really change anything. Without that cover song you would have never heard of her. So his song, melody and verse put her on the radar, and you haven't anything worthwhile since. LOL too funny, you can't even give the man props for a great song. I love the Family!

  • @chanserful...I was sooo miserable at one stage and I was playing the hell out of this song and enjoying my depressed state...a day or two later, I was walking into the student center and Sinead's vers. comes over the sound system. I recognized the tune and I was like...Who the fnck is fnckin' up this song...I admit it was nice, but I wasn't ready for the intrusion, naaah mean. How much for the session, doc'?

  • YEEEESSS LET EVERYONE KNOW JUST WHO ORIGINATED THIS SONG. THE FAMILY'S VERSION IS A WHOLE LOT BETTER THAN O'CONNER'S ANYWAY. THE ORIGINAL USUALLY IS.

  • This is not the original. The original is Prince's demo whiile he was writing it!

  • The ONLY reason people remember Sinead and not this one is because, to my knowledge, this was not released as a single. Nothing on this album did very well, unfortunately.

  • You stupid ass young ass dunbasses The Family made this first as written by Prince, some of you were not even thought of yet as most of you young asses! Music repeats itself....

  • absolutely the best version was sung by Prince. Although, since this was the original and I remember listening to this song on loop back in the day, it still still holds a special place in my heart.

  • Boooo!! I knew this song way b4 Sin-head sang it.....I like St. Paul Peterson's voice and The Family's way better! I played this song when me and my girl broke up!!! lol!

  • lol

    nothing compares to gay bullshit

    and all that france 85/6 yoopi yol

    wusup

  • nothing compares to Sinead's version... lol

  • @marcopiras84 eh? listen to the artist and rosie gains.....the original composer is always the best....oh the live version...

  • I love this version with all chords played that are "unsolved" right until the end of the song.

  • I read about this, didn't know it was a cover. But then I clicked in, and I can see why this was not a hit. Whoever spotted it for Sinead, did a damn good job. And whoever produced it with her too.

  • Prince wrote the hell out of the song and Sinead sang the hell out of the song.

  • My Favorite Version too! Screams Of Passion is another great song. They harmonize so well.

  • I'll be the dog here... I think sinead didn't do it near the justice and her version is WAY overproduced. Between the musicians and the singer the synergy just flat spanks her ass. but that's just me.

  • I remember when Sinead hit it big with this song, and I was like, WTF? The Family, dammit! The Family did this first! Sinead's version was fine, but personally, I love this version. Too bad Prince is such an a jerk and won't allow a re-release of the album by The Family. They are now performing under the name fDeluxe.

  • Guys, you can talk about originals all you want and whatever, but we ALL know Sinead made this song what it is

  • @FamousMovieScenes09 absolutely. Sometimes a cover make the original version forgettable or an anecdote. Take GO WEST for instance, which was originally recorded by Village People but launched to Classic Mode b the Pet Shop Boys.

  • @BrilliantPSB @FamousMovieScenes09 Like Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah.

  • @FamousMovieScenes09 That has to be one of the most moronic comments ever made on youtube...and I've seen a lot of them. Not even Prince does it as good as St. Paul and it's Prince's song!

  • @FamousMovieScenes09

    I almost snuffed out my lie behind this song back in '86...life sucked then this song really added to my meloncholy state of mind:(

  • @FamousMovieScenes09 respect the music craft from the orginal dude! thats whats wrong with music today guys like u makes it watered down and will not last.

  • @FamousMovieScenes09 in the context of being popular, maybe. (without kissing his ass) Remember just how big Prince is. However, in just about every other context, you're either wrong or have terrible taste (I hope it's the former). Sinead is one of those singers who, while they can sing, choose to verbally shave a cat with a rusty razorblade. With that said, both Prince and Sinead are both Batshit crazy, but at least Prince has talent.

  • @FamousMovieScenes09 I disagree - Sinead O made it a hit by simplifying it harmonically and using very standard production. This is a better version. It has a lot more passion.

  • But, Excuse Me.... Prince wrote it for them!!!!! Git Yer Facts Straight America....

  • Amazing song...

  • I like this version!!

    It's better, as usual, the original is the better one :D

  • i really don't care what anyone says...... this version, the original kills sinead's version!

  • Aiden Grimshaw's version was cool too!!!

  • Listen to the whole album , The Family he was talented and if he wasn't such an arrogant fool we would have heard this version and others but no. Remember Screams of Passion? Any Prince fan loved it...I liked it all Prince also wrote I feel for You and later Chakachan did it and made it famous! Timing and talent once again!

  • From this version you could tell it was sung terribly with some cheap electro pipe organ beat, but, you can also see that it's a well written song with potential.

  • Lol I'm guessing going against the majority and jumping on a bandwagon is still cool....This song is no way near as good as sineads.....That's why no-one remembers this version.

  • @bigmac329190 I like Sinnead's version the most, but I published this video because most of the had NO IDEA of its existance.

  • @BrilliantPSB Well FYI PRINCE wrote it!

  • @BrilliantPSB ...I feel you guys about Sinead making the song what it was, and it was good, she killed it actually...but BIG thanks to you BrilliantPSB, because the original was what it was...In my opinion simple, yet brilliant. Pretty dark and sullen. The sax represented his misery. Anyway, Thanks, again, New Birth killed "Wild Flower", but Skylark's versions was still good, too.

  • @BrilliantPSB That includes me. And I remembe very clearly when O'Connor's version came out. I knew that Prince wrote it, though. Only finding this now after reading about it on Wikipedia. You gotta give Sinead O'Connor big credit for seeing anything in this song. I mean, the two versions are nothing alike. Makes you wonder how she saw such potential. I think the same about the song Without You by Harry Nilsson. How did he see the beauty in the Badfinger original version.

  • @ShelterDogs absolutly. Sinead has the credit for making this song a world hit, Prince for writting it and The Family for bringing it to life. I think Sinead didn't change much of the original vocals intonation, yet added tons of sadness to it.

  • @BrilliantPSB We knew, we just didn't know how to publish. Thank you so much. Prince Fan Forever

    Lebra

  • @bigmac329190 I certainly do remeber this version and prefer it! I went looking for the families version I don't ever have to hear Sineads version again in life.

  • @bigmac329190 Well I for one remember this version, and dislike Sineads version...this was so much better, but hey, when there is trouble in the camp, the winner will always be His Purple Heiness!

  • @bigmac329190 not many remeber this version BECAUSE THE INDUSTRY MONEY MACHINE WAS NOT BEHIND PROMOTING IT AND PLAYING THE HELL OUT OF IT IN ROTATION EVERY FREAKIN HOUR....but to think that Sineads' version is better....complete nonsense. She ruined this song for me...

  • This is still the best version of this song. Peace.

  • I like Sinead's version better, this one is very good , and I respect it for being original. However, I think Sinead performs it with more pain, and I believe the Lyrics that Prince wrote are personal, and she related to them obviously if you watch her video.Although, I am a man, not used to seeing woman talk about loss, it moved me. Respect to Prince.

  • I like all the versions of this song! It's like the song "I heard it through the Grapevine"  Three different interpretations (CCR, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight) but all good!!

  • It's really odd - Sinead's version had what sounded like a very simple, very cheaply made X Factor style backing track, but it was incredibly powerful. Whereas this one has all kinds of mad synths going on in the background, which ruin it slightly. You can't tell where the tune's going at all in this one. Can't blame the singers at all though - and of course the lyrics are still timelessly brilliant

  • If you can actually APPRECIATE music... you'll see the greatness in each version. This song is just amazing.

  • I grew up on the North Side, and it's cool to know this was written in the hood, originally recorded there, and has become this powerful song throughout the world.Just as we knew it was in Mpls. in the 80's. What a great time to have witnessed the music coming out of the city then!!

  • I love both versions. Prince is NOT the singer; it's St. Paul. Of course, Prince wrote and produced it. The girl on the cover is Susannah, Wendy's twin sister. Been a fan since 1980. Still have the original "The Family" album on vinyl.

  • Νομίζω πως η Sinead το απογείωσε το κομμάτι!!!!

  • those synths really ruins the feeling of the song.

  • i honestly like sinead's version better, but this is also very emotional, and this guy's voice is amazing.

  • Paul Peterson has the voice of an angel. Beautiful music.

  • Paul Peteron has the voice of an angel. Beautiful music.

  • when u need lady back up singers it means u cant reach...

  • Esta versión es una grandísima mierda.

  • I remember hearing this version on an old Certron tape that someone recorded and it blew me away many years before Sinead got ahold of it. I love it!

  • The guy you keep saying that sounds like crap is Prince. I think he did pretty good for himself and he is the original author for this song, it was stolen and remade by Sinead with no credit given to him. For a long time he got screwed.

  • I don't know what Prince was thinking when he wrote this song for The Family and produced this album in his Paisley Park studio, but ummm... yeah.

  • Sinead must a genius if she can turn this horrid song, into one of the most amazing songs ever.

  • Either Sinead is an extremely tallented lady or alternatively, this guy is totally crap... I mean like, totally CRAP...

  • @eohanrahan I have the slightest feeling you don't like him. lol

  • @eohanrahan Well...taste is specific to the hearer..but "THIS GUY" is Prince, and among his accomplishments are writing this song! Another example in the music business of a singer/writer seeing his work made famous by another vocalist. I don't like this version as well as Prince's live version or Sinead's, but the song is awesome and it stands by itself.

  • @eohanrahan Sinead EXTREMELY TALENTED & also the Original version song by Prince is also Excellent. I have to say though that I like Sineads cover of the Prince song much better even then Prince's Original recording of it. This how ever is not so good at all & I am being nice in saying that.

  • @eohanrahan....... Seriously, you don't need ears, they're a complete waste on you. The original and best version. Simple.

  • @eohanrahan It's Prince, I wouldn't call hom crap only his version of the song. Also it's still Prince that wrote the song...

  • @eohanrahan He wrote the song lol Sinead just performed it.

  • OMG!!!!!!! I have not heard this song in decades!!!!!!!!!! This is the best version of the song... omg.. This brings an ole man back...

  • Man, I bought this album as a young kid didn't like it much.  Was surprised when SInead had a huge hit out of this song years later. Prince should have just kept this song for himself.

  • Here's another song from a group that prince help write for and produce music.

  • i actually own this record

  • Sinead's version is not bad but i just love this one, i'm here for The Family, all their songs are great. so many memories...

  • I love Sineads version, but she took it without Prince's permission, then abused him, the guy who gave her her career, I only care about the quality of the music really but jeez, that's just cold.

    I think I like this version most.

  • Todays youth dont know true passion

  • Thanks for uploading! =)

  • I loved this group!!!

  • Sineads cover is way wayyyy better than this CRAP L0L

  • PRINCE ! fantastic!

  • damn....so many ignorant ppl around....this is BY FAR my favorite version! Whitout a fucking doubt, I have always loved and been a huge fan of Prince, With that said, Sinead has written and preformed some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard in my lifetime. Thanks to Prince for giving her a chance (because they were friends, dumbasses!) And letting us all get a glimpse of what she is. I know that because I heard the song, I wanted to hear more....and more she brought. CHEERS!!!!

  • @iriegore U obviously do NOT know the story. Prince & Sinead were not "friends".

  • THE GIRL IN THE PICTURE IS WENDY'S TWIN SISTER..AND THE GUY ST. PAUL WAS IN THE TIME..

  • Thank you sooooo much for letting everyone know who sung this first. I personally love this version the best.

  • @astarradai my pleasure!

  • @astarradai  I like Princes live version with Rosie Gaines the most.

  • @astarradai you are welcome!

  • Prince and Sinead are both extremely talented performers who sang every word like it was the last thing they'd ever do. Sinead wrote many of her songs, she just happens to be known more for her covers (this one and "War"). Listen to "Troy" or "Jerusalem." But it doesn't matter. Watch the video for her version of this song, or watch a live performance. The passion flows out of her like a tidal wave. It's just as powerful as any performance from Purple Rain. And isn't that what really matters?

  • @BiggsDarkstar YES..BUT NO MATTER WHO SINGS IT THEY DO IT RIGHT TIGHT JUSTICE...AND ONE COULD HEAR PRINCES INFLUENCE IN IT ANY WAY..STILL ALL WHO HAVE TOUCH IT HAS DONE IT RIGHT.

  • lets not forget prince song this to

  • @Zmijowaty Yes and that why prince is still around today, he writes many beautiful songs, Sinead great she can sing but can't write. Prince writes lyrics like from the heart...you can get great singers but can you find one that can write for their own?no and Prince I respect him for that...Thats why Sinead had a career because of Prince. When you have the goods and talent no one can touch you...you will not fade...prince prove that.

  • @TheIchiban1974: vocals itself is a musical instrument. That's why a piece of music can has different feelings to it thanks to various interpretation by different singers. This song would have never gotten the recognition it has nowadays if not for Sinead. Sinead had a career because she's talented. It's stupid to say that only singers who can write their own songs won't fade away. Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby etc. never wrote songs but no one deny that they stand the test of time.

  • @TheIchiban1974 agree regarding Sinnead massive impulse of this song, but you know the music business, much of the massive awareness is about airplay....

  • This version, the original, has more heart and soul than the more popular version by Sinead. She's a better singer, but I like this version much better -- the imperfection gives it that exra "something"..........

  • Where's Desire?!

  • Love this version.

  • St. Paul was Great!

  • St. Paul was great!

  • Prince wrote this song for Susannah Melvoin, who he was once engaged to. The girl on the cover. She is also Wendy's sister. Wendy=kick ass girl guitar player!!

  • I don't like this version.

  • Prince brought out some talented artist. These two are a prime example and this cd was nothing less than artistry at it's best.

  • i appreciate that this was the original but i prefer Sinead's version- its prettier.

  • Thanks for posting this. Damn.

  • I like the Me first and the Gimme Gimme's cover of the song : )

  • Incredible song. Prince is the king! What Prince songs would you recommend to a new listener?

  • @peterhansenism Purple Rain the album is a great way to start and easy to find!

  • I grew up on Prince. This version has more blues and heart than Sineads Just saying.

  • sinead's version is better slaugh, somethigns worng with you

  • Prince version is the best!

    

  • Thanks I've been looking for this version for years you're awesome!!!

  • @mackmansr my pleasure to help!!!!

  • IMHO, Sinead's version is superior.

  • All version of this song is good. Such an epic and brilliant song... like every single damn song prince ever touched.

  • @DoveNiki you are a genius for this comment, love it

  • @rayjohn39 Thank you :)

  • Im 30 now ,I love this song.My Mom played this alot.Dont dare insult such a classic .YouR tone def .Im black and I like this song ,BE FOREAL

  • FDELUXE!!! The Family is back. Look up on facebook and reverbnation!

    Spread the news around to support The Family (aka. FDeluxe)

  • awful!

  • @dik2604 nice add bro....

  • @BrilliantPSB it's just a personal opinion of a really bad song. i presume you're not prince, so you should not have been offended by my remark.

  • @dik2604 You have broken ears

  • @dik2604 He has an like 4 versions of this song, the one he did in the soul R&B version way better. He had more electric energy and piano...this version was like a poem slow version.I don't care for this but this was for The Family...If you lived in and love prince prior to purple rain you would understand. Sinead O'Connor did a great women version and I like it too, but Prince can knock it out if you seen him do this song live.If you like Soul and R&B you will understand.

  • Loooove the dissonance between the organ and the vocalists. Must say I'm much more touched by Prince and Rosy's version; however, there's something mythical about the sparsity of this version (voices as instruments n'at). It's haunting to me. Love Sinead's version as well, the heartache in her performance. It's just a perfect song...one that stands alone in every permutation. The true mark of brilliance!

  • stop bashing sinead's version :O both are great

  • @joceyjoe I like Sinnead's version the most, but this is hard HARD to find on CD/Vinil.

  • Great song writing!

  • It's sung very well here, but i just feel like the version by Sinead O'Connor is far more emotional and because of that, far better.

  • this just sounds better when sung by a female. Granted it may be because I am a heterosexual male.

  • Sinead's version sucked! Prince is Prince but to me the only real version is by my Family!!

  • They'd only remind me of you....woe oh oh oh woe oh....

  • ....but they'd only remind me of you -- woe oh oh oh woe oh...

  • ....woe oh oh oh woe oh...

  • I got this on an old crackly LP. CD is hard to come by and was only released overseas. Way better than Shinyhead Oconnor.

  • I just can't relate to the song. I herd sinead o conners vergin, much better then this one. It has no beat, or rithim or anything. Sorry.

  • This is the best album ever!  I had this and loved listening to all the songs. Stuck up little rich girl! LOL

  • 1:27...like a bird without a song. Wow!

  • This is so much better than that shitty SInead version. I loved The Family

  • @mscites In my opinion Sinèad's version touches your heart. She sings it so that is almost impossible not to cry.

  • Perfected in 1989

  • @63Banshee bulls#!t......

  • rare find

  • I need to know where I can download this song. I cannot find it on Amazon, iTunes, or anywhere else. :(

  • This is the truest form of respect to the many groups The Purple One came out with,

    This was the jam bck in tha day & still is 2day!!!! I only wish WB would come out with a true album of all his groups tracks.... It would be totally Hot!!!

  • Thanks for this rare version!

  • i love prince but sinead o connors version is miles better, the singing is way better and the string arrangements make the song so emotional. prince knew it as he immediately started playing sinead's version in his live concerts.

  • OMG. I was a senior in high school when I purchased this album. As I said in my post on River Run Dry, I played this album everyday after school for hours and for the next 2 years.  Thank you for posting this one.

  • wow...his voice (Prince Paul?) is so amazing! what happened to them? The Family rocked it wit this and "Screams of Passion"...Sinead O'Conner's version is so bland compared to this

  • My boyfriend suggested I listen to this version...I love it!!! It's beautiful x (now I know why I'm so in love with him!! .. xxx)

    Thankyou for having this on here :-)

  • The first recording of this.. I haven't heard it since like 1987!  Man!

  • Es bueno saber la version original. Pero la version de Sinead es la mejor !!!!!!!