Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Chris Stapleton’s “Nothing Compares 2 U:” An Impressive Tribute to Prince

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Prince is inarguably the most talented pop star that ever lived. He is a singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, dancer, actor, filmmaker, and a guitar virtuoso.
Numerous stars, musicians, and individuals including Chris Stapleton across the world paid tribute to Prince after his tragic death on April 21, 2016.

Prince, Nothing Compares 2 U, Chris Stapleton
Via billboard.com

“Nothing Compares 2 U”

Prince wrote, “Nothing Compares 2 U” for the funk band The Family. They released their only Album The Family in 1985. Their version gained little recognition.

Chris Stapleton, Prince, Nothing Compares 2 U
Via wikipedia.com

The song became a giant hit after Sinead O’Connor covered it in 1990. It topped the charts in Ireland, Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Austria, and the United Kingdom.

In the U.S. it spent weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Billboard Alternative Songs. It reached No.2 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart. It became the third best-selling single of 1990 and 82nd best-selling single of the 1990s. It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in April 1990.

Prince, Nothing Compares 2 U, Chris Stapleton
Via youtube.com

Prince performed the song live with Rosie Gaines and released it on his 1993 compilations.

In April 2018, Warner Bros. Records, in conjunction with his estate, released Prince’s original 1984 recording of the song.

On June 7, 2019, Warner released a new Prince album Originals exclusively through TIDAL. The album contains Prince’s original versions of 15 songs he offered to other artists in the past. “Nothing Compares 2 U” is also included here.

Chris Stapleton

Chris Stapleton was one of the first artists to pay tribute to the late star. He sang “Nothing Compares 2 U” to close his show on April 23, 2016, at the Greek Theater in California. He said,

“Hell, I’m gonna try this, not because I can actually do it, but because I’m gonna do it for a great musician that we lost.”

The stage was filled with purple light as they performed the famous song of Prince.

Chris Stapleton, Prince, Nothing Compares 2 U
Via youtube.com

He soulfully delivered the song with the utmost respect for the original. People were stunned by his performance but in an interview with Rolling Stone Country, the singer said he wasn’t sure he ever ventures a song by the icon.

Chris Stapleton is a recipient of 5 Grammy Awards, 7 Academy of Country Music Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards,5 Billboard Music Awards, 2 iHeartRadio Music Awards among others. For his work as a composer, he received 9 ASCAP Country awards, including the Vanguard Award.

Prince, Nothing Compares 2 U, Chris Stapleton
Via chrisstapleton.com

Watch the video here:

Latest Stories

Luke Bryan laughs at the piano during a concert moment, capturing the exact scene where he forgot the lyrics to his own hit “Strip It Down” but charmed the crowd anyway.

Luke Bryan Halts His Show After Forgetting the Lyrics to One of His Biggest Hits

Even the biggest stars can blank out when the spotlight hits just right. Luke Bryan has performed in sold-out arenas, headlined every major tour from coast to coast, and stacked ...

Thompson Square's Keifer and Shawna smile while holding ACM awards and red cups, celebrating with old-school country charm and a firm stance against pop crossover trends.

Thompson Square Roasts Pop Collabs Says Country’s Cool Enough Without Beyoncé or Any of That Pop

Country music’s no stranger to outsiders trying to crash the party, but Thompson Square just poured a stiff shot of truth and said what a lot of folks in Nashville ...

Allie Colleen performs on stage with a big smile and acoustic guitar, showing confidence and independence as she builds her music career on her own terms—far from her father Garth Brooks’ shadow.

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Says She Doesn’t Represent Him and Wants No Part of His Shadow

In a world where name-dropping can open every door in Nashville, Allie Colleen is out here trying to slam it shut. The 28-year-old country artist and youngest daughter of Garth ...

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert Moved On, But Did They Ever Make Amends?

Country music fans watched their fairytale unfold like a damn movie until the credits rolled too soon, and the lights came up on something way messier. Blake Shelton and Miranda ...

Gwen Stefani smiles at Blake Shelton on the red carpet of the Academy of Country Music Awards—despite new song lyrics fueling speculation about trouble in their marriage.

Gwen Stefani’s New Song Is Stirring Talk of Marriage Trouble With Blake Shelton and It’s Not Just the Lyrics

It doesn’t take much to set the rumor mill spinning, but Gwen Stefani just handed it a full tank of gas and a match. Her new single “Still Gonna Love ...

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban smile on the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, showing off their unshakable bond—even if a professional collaboration isn’t on the table.

Nicole Kidman Reveals Disappointing News About Keith Urban and Why They Won’t Work Together

Hollywood’s favorite Aussie power couple just crushed a longtime fan dream with one word. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban may have the kind of private fairy tale that gives tabloid ...

Cody Johnson performs at an outdoor concert in front of an American flag, shown here during a previous show, before he paused his Tailgate N Tallboys set to address anti-Trump protests and lead the crowd in a "God Bless America" sing-along.

Cody Johnson Blasts Anti-Trump Protests and His Crowd Responds With a “God Bless America” Sing-Along

Cody Johnson doesn’t tiptoe. He stomps. During his June 14 stop at the Tailgate N Tallboys festival in Bloomington, Illinois, CoJo grabbed the mic, hit pause on the hits, and ...

HARDY performing live onstage in the U.S., shown here during a past show, ahead of canceling the European leg of his Jim Bob World Tour to prioritize family and crew.

HARDY Cancels European Leg of Jim Bob World Tour Ahead of First-Ever Headlining Dates

The long-awaited European run for HARDY’s Jim Bob World Tour just hit the brakes, and fans across the pond are understandably bummed. On the morning of June 16, HARDY dropped ...

Billy Ray Cyrus stands on the red carpet in a black leather jacket and sunglasses, unintentionally becoming the center of family drama after Trace Cyrus called him out online.

Trace Cyrus Blasts Billy Ray for Skipping Grandma’s Funeral to Chase Fame and It’s About as Ugly as It Gets

When your son calls you “the l𝐚mest man to ever walk planet earth,” it’s safe to say things have gone past the point of no return. Trace Cyrus is not ...

Holly Dunn performs passionately under soft stage lights with her guitar in hand, capturing the emotion behind her heartfelt classic “Daddy’s Hands.”

Holly Dunn Wrote “Daddy’s Hands” for Her Dad and Somehow Spoke for an Entire Generation

This is the kind of song that makes grown men stare out the truck window in silence and pretend it’s just the pollen getting to them. When Holly Dunn wrote ...