"Mandinka"
Single by Sinéad O'Connor
from the album The Lion and the Cobra
ReleasedDecember 1987
Recorded1986–87
Genre
Length3:46
LabelChrysalis
Songwriter(s)Sinéad O'Connor
Producer(s)Sinéad O'Connor
Kevin Mooney
Sinéad O'Connor singles chronology
"Troy"
(1987) 		"Mandinka"
(1987) 		"Nothing Compares 2 U"
(1990)
Music video
"Mandinka" on YouTube
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]
Number One[4]

"Mandinka" is a song by Irish singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor, released as the second single from her debut album, The Lion and the Cobra (1987).[5] The song peaked at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart and number six in Ireland. O'Connor performed it on Late Night with David Letterman, which was her first TV appearance in the US.

Background

In an April 1988 interview with The Tech, O'Connor said: "Mandinkas are an African tribe. They're mentioned in a book called Roots by Alex Haley, which is what the song is about. In order to understand it you must read the book."[6]

Chart performance

The single "Mandinka" topped the dance chart, but the single was also a mainstream pop hit in the UK, peaking at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart, number six in O'Connor's native Ireland, number 24 in the Netherlands, number 26 in Belgium, number 18 in New Zealand, number 39 in Australia, and number 33 in Canada.[7]

After O'Connor's death in July 2023, "Mandinka" appeared on the UK Singles Downloads Chart Top 100 at number 32.[8]

Critical reception

At the time of its release, Jerry Smith from Music Week wrote, "The striking talents of the rather formidable Sinead O'Connor are well showcased in this dynamic number from her The Lion and the Cobra LP, and its infectuous [sic], if unorthodox, nature deserved wide exposure."[9] Steven Wells from NME stated that it's a "stark reminder that O'Connor is blessed with an amazing and unique voice".[10] Max Bell from Number One wrote that her voice "is as striking as her looks while her scruff of the neck grabbing confidence makes you forget completely that you've no idea what a mandinka is."[11] Another editor, Kate Davies, said, "Phewee. What a single. A veritable pot pourri of sounds and ideas. Sinead serenades, screams and strains all in the course of a few minutes."[4] Roger Morton from Record Mirror felt the song "starts off with disturbingly 'Summertime Blues' style guitars and then weighs in with a worringly girlie vocal. It's not until the chorus, when Sinead gets out her impressive vocal claws, that you can hear what all the fuss is about."[12] Sal Cinquemani from Slant noted its "indie-rock splendor".[13] Sue Dando from Smash Hits opined that "this rasping, raw rock/punkesque thing is destined to be possibly the most absolutely brilliant single to never be a hit."[14]

In a retrospective review for the AllMusic website, editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine described the song as "hard-rocking".[15]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Mandinka" was in heavy rotation after debuting 24 January 1988 in 120 Minutes on MTV.[16]

Live performances

In 1988, O'Connor sang "Mandinka" on Late Night with David Letterman, which was her first US network television appearance. She also sang the song live at the 1989 Grammy Awards.[17]

Cover versions

In July 2023, shortly after O'Connor's death, Alanis Morissette and Foo Fighters paid the tribute to her and covered the song at Fuji Rock Festival in Japan.[18]

Charts

Chart performance for "Mandinka"
Chart (1988) Peak
position
Australia (Australian Music Report)[19] 39
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[20] 26
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[21] 33
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[22] 65
Ireland (IRMA)[23] 6
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[24] 24
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[25] 18
UK Singles (OCC)[26] 17
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[27]
Remix 		14
2023 chart performance for "Mandinka"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[28] 15

References

  1. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (13 August 2007). "Sinéad O'Connor: The Lion and the Cobra". Slant Magazine.
  2. ^ Pitchfork Staff (10 September 2018). "The 200 Best Albums of the 1980s". Pitchfork. Retrieved 25 April 2023. ...new wave-tinted single "Mandinka" was an early staple on MTV's "120 Minutes"...
  3. ^ "Sinéad O'Connor - Mandinka". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  4. ^ a b Davies, Kate (16 January 1988). "Singles". Number One. p. 42. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  5. ^ DeCurtis, Anthony (28 January 1988). "The Lion and the Cobra". Rolling Stone.
  6. ^ Parsons, Paige (12 April 1988). "Sinead O'Connor talks about her musical background" (PDF). The Tech. 108 (18): 9. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  7. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - June 4, 1988" (PDF).
  8. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart on 28/7/2023 28 July 2023 - 3 August 2023". Official Charts. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  9. ^ Smith, Jerry (16 January 1988). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 18. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  10. ^ Wells, Steven. "Sinead O'Connor – So Far... The Best Of... Sinead O'Connor". NME. Archived from the original on 17 August 2000. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  11. ^ Bell, Max (9 January 1988). "Singles". Number One. p. 42. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  12. ^ Morton, Roger (16 January 1988). "Singles". Record Mirror. p. 13. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  13. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (3 August 2007). "Review: Sinéad O'Connor, The Lion and the Cobra". Slant. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  14. ^ Dando, Sue (30 December 1987). "Singles". Smash Hits. p. 53. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  15. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Sinéad O'Connor - The Lion and the Cobra". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  16. ^ Chrysalis Records uploaded Sinead O'Connor - Mandinka on YouTube in 2017.
  17. ^ "Sinead O'Connor - Mandinka (1989 Grammy's)". Archived from the original (video) on 18 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  18. ^ https://www.nme.com/news/music/foo-fighers-and-alanis-morissette-honour-sinead-oconnor-with-mandinka-cover-3475206
  19. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 221. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA from mid 1983 until 19 June 1988.
  20. ^ "Sinéad O'Connor – Mandinka" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  21. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8655." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  22. ^ "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 9. 27 February 1988. p. 21. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  23. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Mandinka". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  24. ^ "Sinéad O'Connor – Mandinka" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  25. ^ "Sinéad O'Connor – Mandinka". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  26. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  27. ^ "Sinead Oconnor Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  28. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
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