10 '80s Songs You Totally Forgot Were Great

Sinéad O'Conner was the young Irish rebel who represented the polar opposite to the decade's reining queen of pop. Madonna used her classically beautiful looks and rampant femininity to help transforms herself, from a mere pop star, into a cultural icon. From the get go, O'Conner, was keen to avoid comparisons to Madonna. Her management advised her to lean into her sex appeal, but ever the free spirit, O'Connor's responce was to shave her head, and flaunt her unconventional good looks.

These days her musical legacy has been somewhat obscured by her various controversial media appearance. And, when someone does refer to her music, it's usually in reference to Nothing Compares 2 U (1990). But her debut album was filled with gems. Blending rock, pop, and elements of traditional Irish music, it was an almost instant hit. Her uniquely eclectic vocal range caught audiences attention. She was able to soar to heights, and croon to depths, all while injecting a healthy dose of Irish attitude into her sound.

The Lion and the Cobra, contained the unconventional hits singles, Troy, and Mandinka. But her third single, became a favourite on college and urban radio stations, when a remixed version was released featuring MC Lyte.