Nothing Compares 2 U

This is Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan, a podcast where we take apart the song covers we love and take a deep dive into the stories behind them. Nothing Compares 2 U was written by Prince in 1984 for his band, the Family. One version was recorded in 1984, but wasn’t actually released until only recently...in 2018. Instead, the song debuted on the Family’s 1985 self-titled album, released under the Paisley Park Records label. Neither version had much of a splash. Fast forward 5 years when, in 1990, a 24 year old Irish singer-songwriter by the name of Sinéad O'Connor released her version, and it became a breakout hit, thanks in part to the song’s music video, made up almost entirely of a closeup shot of the singer’s face. So, which one is the better version? Stephanie talks to her good friend Jeremy Root...about the songs... how they compare to one another, and by the end, they’ll reveal their top pick.

A podcast that uncovers the covers — that is, the stories, meanings, and histories behind our most classic songs. How does a song take on a different connotation when a different artist approaches it, or “covers” it, across generations, cultures, and time? Each episode features host and musicologist Stephanie Shonekan and one guest. Together they take one classic song, two popular renditions, and discuss: Who did it better, and why?On the surface, this is a show about the music we love. But the conversations uncover intimate stories about our own cultural backgrounds and personal idiosyncrasies, how these songs were first encountered, and about our personal connections with the songs. Ultimately, “Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan” reminds us all to reconnect with great music and to reconsider the diverse perspectives, histories, and identities of the artists and the fans who consume the music. Join us! “Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan” is produced by Janet Saidi, Kristofor Husted, Fernando Narro, Rehman Tungekar, and Ryan Famuliner, with host and producer Stephanie Shonekan. The series is edited by Rehman Tungekar and Ryan Famuliner. “Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan” is a collaboration between KBIA and Vox Magazine, with funding from MU’s College of Arts & Science and the Missouri School of Journalism. You can follow the podcast and other special projects on Twitter at @VoxMag, and @KBIA, and on Instagram at @voxmagazine and @kbianews. See you there!