Mandinka (song)

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"Mandinka"
Sinéad Mandinka.jpg
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

"Mandinka" is a song by Sinéad O'Connor from her 1987 album The Lion and the Cobra.[2]

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."[3]

Critical reception[]

AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine described the song as "hard-rocking".[4] Steven Wells from NME stated that it is a "stark reminder that O'Connor is blessed with an amazing and unique voice".[5] Sal Cinquemani from Slant noted its "indie-rock splendor" in his review of The Lion and the Cobra.[6]

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.[7]

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.[8]

Charts[]

Chart (1988) Peak
position
Australia (Australian Music Report)[9] 39
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[10] 26
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[11] 33
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[12] 65
Ireland (IRMA)[13] 6
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[14] 24
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[15] 18
UK Singles (OCC)[16] 17
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[17]
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. ^ Parsons, Paige (12 April 1988). "Sinead O'Connor talks about her musical background" (PDF). The Tech. 108 (18): 9. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  4. ^ "Sinéad O'Connor - The Lion and the Cobra". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (3 August 2007). "Review: Sinéad O'Connor, The Lion and the Cobra". Slant. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  7. ^ Chrysalis Records uploaded Sinead O'Connor - Mandinka on YouTube in 2017.
  8. ^ "Sinead O'Connor - Mandinka (1989 Grammy's)". Archived from the original (video) on 18 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Ultratop.be – Sinéad O'Connor – Mandinka" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  11. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8655." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  12. ^ "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5 no. 9. 27 February 1988. p. 21. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  13. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Mandinka". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  14. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Sinéad O'Connor – Mandinka" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  15. ^ "Charts.nz – Sinéad O'Connor – Mandinka". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  16. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  17. ^ "Sinead Oconnor Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
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