Mandinka (song)

"Mandinka" is a song by Sinéad O'Connor from her 1987 album The Lion and the Cobra.[2] O'Connor drew inspiration from diverse sources, including her Irish heritage, Leonard Cohen, punk rock, and hip-hop.[3]

"Mandinka"
Single by Sinéad O'Connor
from the album The Lion and the Cobra
Released1 December 1987
Recorded1986-87
GenreIndie rock[1]
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

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."[4]

Critical reception

AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine described the song as "hard-rocking".[5] Steven Wells from NME stated that it is a "stark reminder that O'Connor is blessed with an amazing and unique voice".[6] Sal Cinquemani from Slant noted its "indie-rock splendor" in his review of The Lion and the Cobra.[7]

Chart performance

The single "Mandinka" also topped the dance chart. The single was a mainstream pop hit in the UK, peaking at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart, number 6 in O'Connor's native Ireland, number 24 in the Netherlands, number 26 in Belgium, number 18 in New Zealand, and number 39 in Australia.

Music video

The video for "Mandinka" was in heavy rotation after debuting 24 January 1988 in 120 Minutes on MTV.[8]

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.[9]

Charts
Chart (1988) Peak
position
Australia (Australian Music Report)[10] 39
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[11] 26
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[12] 33
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[13] 65
Ireland (IRMA)[14] 6
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[15] 24
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[16] 18
UK Singles (OCC)[17] 17
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[18]
Remix		 14

References
  1. Cinquemani, Sal (13 August 2007). "Sinéad O'Connor: The Lion and the Cobra". Slant Magazine.
  2. DeCurtis, Anthony (28 January 1988). "The Lion and the Cobra". Rolling Stone.
  3. Motz, Jason (16 October 2015). "Steps: Sinéad O'Connor - The Lion and The Cobra". Vivascene.
  4. Parsons, Paige (12 April 1988). "Sinead O'Connor talks about her musical background" (PDF). The Tech. 108 (18): 9. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  5. "Sinéad O'Connor - The Lion and the Cobra". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  6. Wells, Steven. "SINEAD O'CONNOR – So Far... The Best Of... Sinead O'Connor". NME. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  7. Cinquemani, Sal (3 August 2007). "Review: Sinéad O'Connor, The Lion and the Cobra". Slant. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  8. Chrysalis Records uploaded Sinead O'Connor - Mandinka on YouTube in 2017.
  9. "Sinead O'Connor - Mandinka (1989 Grammy's)". Archived from the original (video) on 18 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  10. 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.
  11. "Ultratop.be – Sinéad O'Connor – Mandinka" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  12. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8655." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  13. "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5 no. 9. 27 February 1988. p. 21. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  14. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Mandinka". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  15. "Dutchcharts.nl – Sinéad O'Connor – Mandinka" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  16. "Charts.nz – Sinéad O'Connor – Mandinka". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  17. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  18. "Sinead Oconnor Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
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