Adam Levine's Cover of "Nothing Compares 2 U" Is Hauntingly Vulnerable

When former The Voice Coach Adam Levine (Seasons 1-16) was on The Howard Stern Show in 2023, he chose to honor the late Sinead O'Connor by covering one of her signature songs shortly after her death.

Levine chose to sing "Nothing Compares 2 U," a special song for many reasons — namely O'Connor's vulnerability when she sings it. During his intimidate rendition, he sang with a soft yet raspy tone, conveying the pain in the track perfectly. 

Check out his gripping version in the video further down this article. 

RELATED: Adam Levine Hit a Seriously Impressive High Note Singing Prince's "Purple Rain"

What to know about "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinead O'Connor

Originally written by Prince, O'Connor's version was recorded for her 1990 album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got. It reached the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and is also known for its emotional music video where O'Connor sheds a tear while singing to the camera. 

In 2021, Rolling Stone listed "Nothing Compares 2 U" on the 184 position on its "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list. 

"This haunting, heart-wrenching evocation of the grief of lost love remains peerless," The Guardian wrote of the tune in 2020. 

RELATED: Adam Levine's Cover of "Faith" by George Michael Is Effortlessly Suave

"Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinead O'Connor lyrics

It's been seven hours and 15 days
Since you took your love away
I go out every night and sleep all day
Since you took your love away
Since you been gone, I can do whatever I want
I can see whomever I choose

I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant
But nothing
I said nothing can take away these blues
'Cause nothing compares
Nothing compares to you

It's been so lonely without you here
Like a bird without a song
Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling
Tell me baby, where did I go wrong?
I could put my arms around every boy I see
But they'd only remind me of you

I went to the doctor, guess what he told me
Guess what he told me
He said, "Girl you better try to have fun, no matter what you do"
But he's a fool

'Cause nothing compares, nothing compares to you

All the flowers that you planted mama
In the back yard
All died when you went away
I know that living with you baby was sometimes hard
But I'm willing to give it another try

Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you