Emperor's New Clothes
Sinéad O'Connor
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
It seems like years since you held the baby While I wrecked the bedroom You said it was dangerous after Sunday And I knew you loved me He thinks I just became famous And that's what messed me up But he's wrong How could I possibly know what I want When I was only twenty-one? And there's millions of people To offer advice and say how I should be But they're twisted And they will never be any influence on me But you will always be You will always be If I treated you mean I really didn't mean to But you know how it is And how a pregnancy can change you I see plenty of clothes that I like But I won't go anywhere nice for a while All I want to do is just sit here And write it all down and rest for a while I can't bear to be in another city One where you are not I would return to nothing without you If I'm your girlfriend or not Maybe I was mean But I really don't think so You asked if I'm scared And I said so Everyone can see what's going on They laugh `cause they know they're untouchable Not because what I said was wrong Whatever it may bring I will live by my own policies I will sleep with a clear conscience I will sleep in peace Maybe it sounds mean But I really don't think so You asked for the truth and I told you Through their own words They will be exposed They've got a severe case of The emperor's new clothes The emperor's new clothes The emperor's new clothes The emperor's new clothes
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Written by: SINEAD O'CONNOR
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Origins*Emperor's New Clothes* is a song by Irish singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor. It was released in 1990 as the second single from her second studio album, *I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got*.
|
Chart SuccessThe song was a commercial success. It reached number 3 in Ireland, number 5 in Canada, number 13 in the United Kingdom, and number 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
|
Music VideoThe music video for the song, directed by John Maybury, features a heavily pregnant O'Connor and received heavy rotation on MTV. The video earned a nomination for Best Female Video at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards.
|
Song Interpretation*Emperor's New Clothes* is a metaphorical critique of societal and religious hypocrisies, a theme recurrent in O'Connor's work.
|
Awards and RecognitionsThe song led O'Connor to earn a nomination for a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance in 1991 but lost to Alannah Myles.
|
Album SuccessThe album, from which the song originates (*I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got*), ended up being a huge success, topping the charts in several countries and earned a platinum certification.
|
Song CreationSinéad O'Connor co-wrote the song with Chris Birkett. The title of the song is derived from the famous fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen in which swindlers prey on an emperor's vanity.
|
LegacyOver thirty years since its release, "Emperor's New Clothes" remains one of Sinéad's most played songs on radio and continues to be performed in her live sets.
|
Cover Versions and SamplingThe song has been sampled and covered by several artists across different genres highlighting its versatility and widespread appeal.
|
InfluenceThe themes of the song and O'Connor's outspoken persona in the music video have been lauded for paving the way for more female artists to express their opinions and critiques openly in their music.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Emperor's New Clothes Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 23 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/22191466/Sin%C3%A9ad+O%27Connor/Emperor%27s+New+Clothes>.
Discuss the Emperor's New Clothes Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In