SINEAD O'CONNOR This is a rebel song REACTION - Only she could do a song like this - First hearing

[@josephjoseph8205]

Harry, I can see you see Sinead's soul...and we the Irish appreciate you.

[@laurabrevitz3944]

Beautiful song, well-timed after Annie Lennox's tribute at the Grammys. RIP, Sinéad. Thank you, Harri, for the reaction.

[@Sumotori.]

Left us too soon. You’ll be missed but never forgotten ❤. RIP

[@suepoole8323]

Rest in Peace Sinead.. we will hold your memory for ever

[@pauldover1403]

Thanks, as always, for playing this Harri and for your comments on it. I often wonder if this is a response to U2 with whom Sinead had an interesting relationship. Bono introduces "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" with "This is not a rebel song" while Sinead says, "This is a Love Song." The song itself can be taken as a song about the relationship between a soldier and his lover but it's also a song about the Troubles. Sometimes Sinead is described as an IRA sympathiser but I think that she was a republican, she wanted the two parts of Ireland to unite. She sings about a lover who is violent to her but who she loves nevertheless and she probably saw the "English" actually the UK as being oppressors, nevertheless she did live in London for a time and loved it. This was the place where she invited a young female fan of hers with terminal cancer to visit her and Sinead took her out to all of her favourite places and stayed close to the family even when her new friend had died. I don't think that there can be any doubt that this is a song where she expresses her devotion despite her treatment and this permeate's the song. Notice that she has written the line, "Meanwhile crazies are killing our sons" to express her abhorrence of the violence. Yes, Sinead let her heart rule her head but it's difficult not to love her - especially with that smile.

[@CarolinaCharles777]

Gosh. Really well put, Harri. Thank you!

[@thebillryan]

How dare you Harry break my Irish heart. I don't know what to say. She meant so much to us as Irish people. For all her madness and creativity. What she stood for .Her contradictions. Her unwillingness to not bend the knee. Her troubles were our troubles. She was delightfully mad, and make no mistake, we all are. She was delightfully mad to me. But her troubles were not delightful. I miss her.She was all too human and humane. Did I mention her voice:! A very old Irish man living in Taiwan responses. Thank you. Slainte.

[@JobHuntingAbroad]

I LOVE your comment from another Irish one abroad...

[@marybaillie8907]

From the 1997 album " Gospel Oak", the story about an Englishman who abused her in the past and refused to love her back. It's thought to be an allegory for the conflict between Northern Ireland and England, whether thats true. The lyrics are so poignant and direct, one her most impactful songs delived by Sinead's powerful vocals and backed by beautiful instrumentation and vocals. Her discography is filled with songs that address social and political issues such as War and The Emperor's New Clothes. Just a beautiful song. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Paul. 👏👏 Cheers from Canada. 🇨🇦

[@pauldover1403]

Ah, you were like the USA, you had the full "Gospel Oak" released, we had an EP with the first four tracks. I learnt tonight that there was a second EP in Britain, "This is a Rebel Song" containing the other three tracks so I haven't actually got the song in my collection - yet. I still love the song though, she released so many. I know that I'm missing some of her others too, including the one on the Dolly Parton compilation that she was complimentary about. Thanks Mary.

[@KavaKavana]

Sinead speaking her truth so clearly with such beauty. Sinead is our golden child and makes me proud to be Irish ☘️ God bless beautiful Sinead O’Connor

[@martigirl6259]

all about our irish struggle against the british crown...beautifully sung by our Sinead...rest in peace☘️

[@paddystatofield]

I love how she doesn’t say “when I do” in the chorus the second time, it’s such a point.

[@pauldover1403]

I love you my hard Englishman Your rage is like a fist in my womb Can't you forgive what you think I've done And love me - I'm your woman And I desire you my hard Englishman And there is no more natural thing So why should I not get loving Don't be cold Englishman How come you've never said you love me In all the time you've known me How come you never say you're sorry And I do Ah, please talk to me Englishman What good will shutting me out get done Meanwhile crazies are killing our sons Oh listen - Englishman I've honoured you - hard Englishman Now I am calling your heart to my own Oh let glorious love be done Be truthful - Englishman How come you've never said you love me In all the time you've known me How come you never say you're sorry And I do I do

[@JobHuntingAbroad]

she wasn't troubled, she was just stuck living in a troubled world

[@erlindaolsson]

Thank you for your nice comment not Irish but Sinead's avid fan.

[@hellyan35867]

I love this song. Have you ever heard her sing Foggy Dew? If not, that will rip your guts out.

[@martigirl6259]

harri please check out Thief Of Your Heart Sinead☘️