Music As A Movement
Issue 20: "Rememberings" by Sinead O'Conor
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Sinead O’Connor has a powerful story in which she shares her autobiography through the lens of spirituality. She acknowledges the Holy Spirit as more of a guide that helps her commit to her moral ethics, which test her along the path to celebrity. Although her book touches on several parts of her life, her desire for social justice and the protection of children remains consistent in this book. She places incredible value and insight on the subject, which ultimately cost her her path to stardom.
I’ve always believed that there is a strong degree of spirituality linked to creative endeavors, personally. So this book resonated with me in a way that I could understand. But perhaps creativity is not necessarily a skill you emphasize in your day-to-day life, so this book may not always make sense. But from my point of view, to be creative is to receive ideas and concepts from a source. That then requires us to be in a spiritual place where we’re receptive to ideas from that source.
It’s not always clear to me when I’m more spiritually receptive, for example, but I know when I am. That’s when a floodgate of ideas comes rushing through, as well as the urgency to manifest it into reality. I’ve wanted to explore the correlation between spirituality and creativity for some time and find that O’Connor explores this from a very personal but authentic angle. Although it is a memoir, with an emphasis on the different events of her life, spirituality is always present in her description and story. As time evolves, I think that more artists will come to share their spiritual connections as well.
However, for now, we’ll focus on Sinead O’Connor’s story.
In this email we’ll cover:
What’s New
Reflections
Insights
Closing Remarks
“If I hope for anything as an artist, it’s that I inspire certain people to be who they are. My audiences seem to be people who have been given a hard time for being who they are.”
― Sinead O'Connor, Rememberings
What’s New?
Book of the Week:
Rememberings by Sinead O’Connor
Personal Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre:
Autobiography
Synopsis:
O’Connor was a fearless contributor to both the world and the music industry. In her book, “Rememberings” she describes an account of her life through the lens of spirituality and the importance she placed on it in her life. Regardless of whatever events she underwent, her connection to spirit was prominent and held in high regard. It’s a book that takes you on a journey throughout the moments in her life that she’s so openly shared. It’s a memoir that connects us deeper to the artist she was.
Why We Love It:
A key personality trait I’ve found in O’Connor by reading this book is her ability to be so fearless in her approach. Whether she is speaking on subjects that are important to her, her music, or her interaction with people, she is unafraid to discuss subjects that the majority of us might rather want to remain ignorant of.
Reading her work and doing some of the research for this newsletter, I sat in wonder at her authenticity. I believe she was either before her time or perhaps one of the moving parts that catalyzed empowering people to speak up. She’s a role model of how powerful women can be when they have a desire to incite change in our world.
At the very least she’s an inspiration for some of us to be more courageous and consider what’s right. Her connection to the Holy Spirit is what kept her steadfast in her life, and helped her make the choices that she recognizes as the best for her. Perhaps we can all find something that keeps us grounded and aligned with our purpose, whether it be spirituality or other avenues. However, reading this has shown me that clarity can aid in conviction.
Key Message:
O'Connor’s determination to create awareness surrounding injustices is what stood out for me in this book. Although she discusses several aspects of her life, her insistence on the subject of injustice interweaves throughout her story, which highlights the strength of her vulnerability. Whether it was injustice that she endured herself, or particularly the injustices made towards children, she remained steadfast in her opinion and shone a light on what most people would rather remain ignorant to.
Her courage shines all the more when considering how dangerous it must have been for her. That inability to conform, as we’ve seen with several artists over the years, can cost you even as much as your life. At the very least though, it cost her her career, which she explained she didn’t mind losing. Her contract with the Holy Spirit overrode her contract with the music industry. Her moral compass held incredible weight throughout her life. To have that level of conviction, you need to wholeheartedly believe in the message you’re delivering, which she did.
It’s easy to say that we would of course agree with her and that social justice should be acknowledged and made right, however, I don’t know how many of us would give up status, fame, and money to achieve that. Sinead O’Connor proved to be someone who not only cared but committed to her message of activism. Even at a young age, it’s clear that she knew who she was. At moments when she didn’t, she was open to discovering and learning about those parts of herself as she describes in her book. She was a true punk at heart and an inspirationally strong woman.
Reflections
Quote of the Week:
“Awards make some people feel more than and some people feel less than. And ... music shouldn’t be such a competition.” - Sinead O’Connor, Rememberings
Reflection Questions:
O’Connor has a deep connection to spirituality, which she explores further through art and music. Whether or not you would describe yourself as spiritual, is there an outlet that you have in your life that you feel connects you to a greater power?
Although O’Connor’s writing method is thoughtful, you can tell that she holds a ferocity in her that pushes her to be fearless. From reading the book, do you feel that she “committed to her contract with the Holy Spirit," as she describes?
What would you want to be fearless about in your own life? Is there a way that you can learn to approach it?
Book Reviews:
Insights
Author Spotlight:
Sinead O’Connor
Background:
Sinead O’Connor’s autobiography discusses the life she led before, during, and after her connection to music. Although it seems that music holds a strong connection to spirituality for O’Connor, which is present throughout her entire life. She was highly regarded as a musician, but her book dives into the parts of her life that were perhaps more masked from the world. She describes several events that have transpired in her life in both a thoughtful and transparent way. Her spirituality, morals, and courage shine through in this book.
Quotes for Thought:
“I don’t define success as having a good name or being wealthy. I define success by whether I keep the contract I made with the Holy Spirit before I made one with the music business.”
“I’m not a pop star. I’m just a troubled soul who needs to scream into mics now and then. I don’t need to be number one. I don’t need to be liked… I just need to pay my yearly overheads, get shit off my chest and not compromise or prostitute myself spiritually.”
Sinead O'Connor, Rememberings
Closing Remarks
O’Connor consistently authentically expresses herself. Whether it be about her life, her thoughts/ opinions, or her stance on the Catholic Church, she is always very clear and direct. After having read her book, I felt far more connected to her as an artist and was impressed by her strength and conviction. Despite the consequences, she stood by her message and remained steadfast in her moral ethics.
Seeing the news today and all of social media discussing several horrific incidences regarding child abuse, as well as the abuse of people in general, shows that O’Connor knew what she was talking about. Perhaps she was simply too fierce and at a time when it cost her so much. People like her were exactly the kinds of people that we perhaps needed most in the creative industries. Non-conformative, perhaps, but morally driven. She was ready to incite change for the better of humanity.
I’ve watched several of her interviews and find her to be so poised in her delivery, but still alert to her surroundings. If I can express my opinion, it seems that regardless of her upbringing, she remained to be a beautiful person inside and out. She turned her painful experiences into power by understanding the abuse she underwent as a child, to fight for other children rather than succumb to that pain.
It seems to me that although she has always been in vulnerable positions throughout her life, she never shied away from the ferocity that would ultimately garner her all that negative attention. She is what I would consider to be a powerful woman. She is an inspiration.
Until Next Time!
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Keep living life on your terms.
Warm regards,
June Tara
Creator of Spark Siren