Mandinka (song) explained

Mandinka
Cover:Sinéad Mandinka.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Sinéad O'Connor
Album:The Lion and the Cobra
Released:28 December 1987[1]
Recorded:1986–87
Genre:
Length:3:46
Label:Chrysalis
Producer:Sinéad O'Connor
Kevin Moloney
Prev Title:Troy
Prev Year:1987
Next Title:Nothing Compares 2 U
Next Year:1990

"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).[4] 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."[5]

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.[6]

After O'Connor's death in July 2023, "Mandinka" appeared on the UK Singles Downloads Chart Top 100 at number 32.[7]

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."[8] Steven Wells from NME stated that it's a "stark reminder that O'Connor is blessed with an amazing and unique voice".[9] 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."[10] 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."[11] 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]

In November 2023, The Last Dinner Party covered the song when they appeared on Apple Music's London Sessions.[19]

Charts

Chart performance for "Mandinka"!Chart (1988)!Peak
position
Australia (Australian Music Report)[20] 39
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[21] 65
2023 chart performance for "Mandinka"!Chart (2023)!Peak
position

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Music Week. 10.
  2. Sinéad O'Connor: The Lion and the Cobra . Cinquemani . Sal . . 13 August 2007.
  3. Web site: Pitchfork Staff . The 200 Best Albums of the 1980s . . September 10, 2018 . ...new wave-tinted single “Mandinka” was an early staple on MTV’s “120 Minutes”.... April 25, 2023.
  4. . The Lion and the Cobra . Anthony . DeCurtis . 28 January 1988.
  5. Parsons. Paige. Sinead O'Connor talks about her musical background. The Tech. 108. 18. 9. 12 April 1988. 5 July 2018.
  6. Web site: RPM Top 100 Singles - June 4, 1988.
  7. Web site: Official Singles Downloads Chart on 28/7/2023 28 July 2023 - 3 August 2023. Official Charts. 28 July 2023. 28 July 2023.
  8. Jerry. Smith. Singles. Music Week. 16 January 1988. 18. 13 March 2023.
  9. Web site: Steven . Wells . Sinead O'Connor – So Far... The Best Of... Sinead O'Connor . . https://web.archive.org/web/20000817172905/http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/19980101000788reviews.html . 24 November 2020. 17 August 2000 .
  10. Max. Bell. Singles. Number One. 9 January 1988. 42. 11 March 2023.
  11. Kate. Davies. Singles. Number One. 16 January 1988. 42. 11 March 2023.
  12. Roger. Morton. Singles. Record Mirror. 16 January 1988. 13. 8 March 2023.
  13. Review: Sinéad O'Connor, The Lion and the Cobra. Cinquemani, Sal. Slant. 3 August 2007. 23 March 2020.
  14. Sue. Dando. Singles. Smash Hits. 30 December 1987. 53. 8 March 2023.
  15. Web site: Stephen Thomas. Erlewine. Sinéad O'Connor - The Lion and the Cobra. AllMusic. 23 March 2020. Stephen Thomas Erlewine.
  16. [Chrysalis Records]
  17. Web site: video . Sinead O'Connor - Mandinka (1989 Grammy's) . 2018-02-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180218081647/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JugUQJv9YlY . 18 February 2018 . dead .
  18. https://www.nme.com/news/music/foo-fighers-and-alanis-morissette-honour-sinead-oconnor-with-mandinka-cover-3475206
  19. Web site: Wilkes . Emma . 2023-11-29 . Listen to The Last Dinner Party's cover of Sinéad O’Connor’s classic 'Mandinka' . 2024-07-21 . NME . en-GB.
  20. Book: Kent, David . David Kent (historian) . Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . illustrated . Australian Chart Book . St Ives, N.S.W. . 1993 . 0-646-11917-6 . 221. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA from mid 1983 until 19 June 1988.
  21. European Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 5. 9. 21. 27 February 1988. 13 November 2020.