Four songs that should have won Record of the Year at the Grammys

1991 Grammy Record Of The Year Nominations 

• “From A Distance” by Bette Midler
• “Nothing Compares 2 U” by  Sinead O’Connor
• “U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer
• “Vision Of Love” by Mariah Carey “
• Another Day In Paradise” by Phil Collins

If you were guessing the winner, did you think it might have been Sinead O’Connor with “Nothing Compares 2 U”? It wasn’t, but should have been. Phil Collins with “Another Day In Paradise” took the Record Of The Year prize in 1991. 

Collins' song was a huge hit and added to his already soaring solo career alongside Genesis. He was highly popular at the time, although the song's theme of poverty and homelessness attracted much controversy for him. Questions were asked about just how much a wealthy pop star with several houses around the world and extensive wealth really knew about the subjects. Again, it's a good song, if you don’t mind Collins' voice and style. 

Collins’ winner doesn't stand up in comparison to Sinead O’Connor’s incredibly heartfelt voice on Prince’s song “Nothing Compares 2U”, but what does? She sang about life’s painful agonies, an unrecognised sign of sad times ahead for her. Released as a single from her second album, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got, it was a worldwide success. 

A review from The Network Forty (page 6)  captured the record perfectly. "When Sinéad sang 'Nothing Compares 2 U', seas calmed, angels wept and Top 40 radio stood still to listen to this powerful expression of unrequited love." Exactly! How can that have failed to win the Grammy award?

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