Sinéad O'Connor — Mandinka
Album: The Lion and the CobraAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2322
Length: 3:43
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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I'm dancing the seven veils
Want you to pick up my scarf
See how the black moon fades
Soon I can give you my heart
I don't know no shame
I feel no pain
I can't see the flame
But I do know Man-din-ka
I do know Man-din-ka
I do know Man-din-ka
I do
They're throwing it all this way
Dragging it back to the start
And they say, "See how the glass is raised?"
I have refused to take part
I told them "drink something new"
Please let me pull something through
I don't know no shame
I feel no pain
I can't
I don't know no shame
I feel no pain
I can't see the flame
But I do know Man-din-ka
I do know Man-din-ka
I do know Man-din-ka
I do
I do
I do
I say I do
Soon I can give you my heart
I swear I do
Soon I can give you my heart
I do
Mandinka
Soon I can give you my heart
Soon I can give you my heart
Soon I can give you my heart
Want you to pick up my scarf
See how the black moon fades
Soon I can give you my heart
I don't know no shame
I feel no pain
I can't see the flame
But I do know Man-din-ka
I do know Man-din-ka
I do know Man-din-ka
I do
They're throwing it all this way
Dragging it back to the start
And they say, "See how the glass is raised?"
I have refused to take part
I told them "drink something new"
Please let me pull something through
I don't know no shame
I feel no pain
I can't
I don't know no shame
I feel no pain
I can't see the flame
But I do know Man-din-ka
I do know Man-din-ka
I do know Man-din-ka
I do
I do
I do
I say I do
Soon I can give you my heart
I swear I do
Soon I can give you my heart
I do
Mandinka
Soon I can give you my heart
Soon I can give you my heart
Soon I can give you my heart
Comments (164)add comment
I believe my first exposure to Sinéad was hearing this song on MTV's 120 minutes (I must have seen this video hundreds of times around then). I've enjoyed many of her songs since hearing this song but this is still my favorite of hers. The positive energy it exudes is palpable to me.
Thank you Sinead🙏
this and jerusalem really got my attention immediately upon this album's release.
RIP.
RIP.
stunix wrote:
Well, isn't that special.
Thank you so much for sharing that touching insight.
rating this one down to reflect how much I hate it.
Well, isn't that special.
Thank you so much for sharing that touching insight.
As anyone who cares to review my listener comments will know, I adore Sinead and the trips she took us on. However, this is likely my least favourite track from this album...bring on Troy anytime though...
So sad to hear about her death... RIP
7/26/23 - Love you Sinead.
Junior year in college - volume loud - sorry roommates and neighbors…
Bought this album.
Her work is wonderful.
How is she mic'ed on this? It's an incredible capture of her voice.
I love this crazy-ass woman. 
She has a 'really' big mouth!
jkforde wrote:
Troy is an amazing song! Yes! Please add if not on any of the clocks.
play Troy some time. she's a a class act whenever her feet touch this planet.
Troy is an amazing song! Yes! Please add if not on any of the clocks.
When this came out I was travelling west from the Canadian prairies to Vancouver... I picked up a copy in Calgary before heading out into the darkness to make the trip overnight... This was in winter... the darkness cut by the snowbanks, the faint winding lines and blowing snow on the road melded this song into a permanent sensory packed memory. Etched like lines on stainless steel...
play Troy some time. she's a a class act whenever her feet touch this planet.
Aanother great track - thanks guys!
Eleven!
ShaunJ wrote:
That album cover is priceless! The caption should be "is that your Mandinka?"
A white Irish woman making the sign of the kick ass male Black Panther!
That album cover is priceless! The caption should be "is that your Mandinka?"
A white Irish woman making the sign of the kick ass male Black Panther!
Great voice, nice song, but the drums are a bit too much...
sandymcp wrote:
I know zero about gaelic mouth music or what terz signifies, but I do know that the artwork makes Sinead look kinda hot. And the song is kind of happening too.
Which of you losers who dare criticise Sinead know anything about gaelic mouth music? These terz that aren't in straight western music? The girl's a genius. Anyone who doesn't like it can STFU.
I know zero about gaelic mouth music or what terz signifies, but I do know that the artwork makes Sinead look kinda hot. And the song is kind of happening too.
Which of you losers who dare criticise Sinead know anything about gaelic mouth music? These terz that aren't in straight western music? The girl's a genius. Anyone who doesn't like it can STFU.
That's more like it. What a voice. What a talent.
She made a number of great and many decent songs. Too bad she now lost her mental health...
I first heard this song on an MTV compilation album... I know, right? But every track on it was pretty great (and like 99% of them are in the RP library, so...)
https://www.discogs.com/Variou...
https://www.discogs.com/Variou...
Stingray wrote:
Lower....
-1
Lower....
LIONESS : ) fabulous singer, I wish her well
Here are some famous Irish singers (in no particular order)...
Sinead O'Connor
Van Morrison
Bono (U2)
Shane MacGowan (The Pogues)
All deeply flawed in some way or another. I wonder is it something in the water over here or is it a genetic disposition for angst and self analysis/destruction?
Answers on a postcard please...
Sinead O'Connor
Van Morrison
Bono (U2)
Shane MacGowan (The Pogues)
All deeply flawed in some way or another. I wonder is it something in the water over here or is it a genetic disposition for angst and self analysis/destruction?
Answers on a postcard please...
This is such a kick ass song.
DocStrangelove wrote:
yeah me too, I think it's a first
have no idea what she is singing but I like this
yeah me too, I think it's a first
have no idea what she is singing but I like this
'In an interview in The Tech, 12 April 1988, 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."'
— Wikipedia: Mandinka (song)
— Wikipedia: Mandinka (song)
Feeling the drive and the passion from the lion and the cobra.
Album I listen to the very loudest: the Lion and the Cobra
somegirl74 wrote:
That album cover is priceless! The caption should be "is that your Mandinka?"
Oh Sinead! How I love your first albums! Takes me right back to high school and y rebellious days. Sigh.
That album cover is priceless! The caption should be "is that your Mandinka?"
Oh Sinead! How I love your first albums! Takes me right back to high school and y rebellious days. Sigh.
Love this one but I'm not sure Kate Pierson does ;)
cirruss wrote:
This first record was really really good. I still clearly remember standing in a record store and they put on Never Grow Old and I thought "OMG! It's a female Peter Gabriel! This is smart, interesting, and well produced."
Had high hopes for her. This is a record worth owning, for sure.
I've never really heard much of Sinead but I must say I am digging this.... was she really this new wavey?
This first record was really really good. I still clearly remember standing in a record store and they put on Never Grow Old and I thought "OMG! It's a female Peter Gabriel! This is smart, interesting, and well produced."
Had high hopes for her. This is a record worth owning, for sure.
bev wrote:
I agree with that review. "She yanks the listener into her turmoil..." A terrible beauty indeed. The Lion and the Cobra was for me personally a true masterpiece of angst and her voice gave voice to my own pain and confusion.
(8?» wrote:
Sinead O'Connor - The Lion And The Cobra
To quote her fellow Irishman, poet William Butler Yeats, when Sinead O'Connor's debut, The Lion and the Cobra, was released, a terrible beauty was born. O'Connor has a haunting voice as dark as the Irish bogs, and her unwavering delivery simultaneously inflames and chills. She sings in two ranges: her soprano ("Never Get Old," "Jackie") is a nearly monastic chant that's angular and breathy like a pan flute or a tin whistle, while her alto, reigning in "I Want Your (Hands on Me)" and "Mandinka," is a suspended, forceful spoken-word tone that never quite yells. By switching back and forth between these two vocal modes, she yanks the listener into her turmoil, giving you no choice but to empathize. She was only 20 years old during this recording, and her difficult relationships with lovers, motherhood, her parents, and the Catholic Church were traumatic and fresh. But rather than mellow with maturity, she gained notoriety with publicly unfavorable political antics that would accompany and often overshadow her equally astounding follow-up, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
wow just 20 she was awesome alright, still special to this day
I agree with that review. "She yanks the listener into her turmoil..." A terrible beauty indeed. The Lion and the Cobra was for me personally a true masterpiece of angst and her voice gave voice to my own pain and confusion.(8?» wrote:
Here's an interesting review from Awesome 80s
Sinead O'Connor - The Lion And The Cobra
To quote her fellow Irishman, poet William Butler Yeats, when Sinead O'Connor's debut, The Lion and the Cobra, was released, a terrible beauty was born. O'Connor has a haunting voice as dark as the Irish bogs, and her unwavering delivery simultaneously inflames and chills. She sings in two ranges: her soprano ("Never Get Old," "Jackie") is a nearly monastic chant that's angular and breathy like a pan flute or a tin whistle, while her alto, reigning in "I Want Your (Hands on Me)" and "Mandinka," is a suspended, forceful spoken-word tone that never quite yells. By switching back and forth between these two vocal modes, she yanks the listener into her turmoil, giving you no choice but to empathize. She was only 20 years old during this recording, and her difficult relationships with lovers, motherhood, her parents, and the Catholic Church were traumatic and fresh. But rather than mellow with maturity, she gained notoriety with publicly unfavorable political antics that would accompany and often overshadow her equally astounding follow-up, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
wow just 20 she was awesome alright, still special to this day
She was epic in her prime, she's only fantastic now. I get how a lotta people don't like her personality - point taken, but her music and performances? Pure gold.
oh, i love this. takes me back to a very specific time of my youth.
Sometimes the hair on the back of your neck stands up in a good way, sometimes in a bad way. This song goes both ways.
-1
lmic wrote:
Hannio wrote:
A little bit. Well, maybe more than just a little, but that is one reason I like it.
I'm gonna kiss your PINEAPPLE!
B52s? ;)
Hannio wrote:
A little bit. Well, maybe more than just a little, but that is one reason I like it.
I'm gonna kiss your PINEAPPLE!
johnjconn wrote:
A head which resembles a shin? Hmmm........
Did you know that in Swahelle language, Mandinka means " I have a shinny head"
yep, all true
yep, all true
A head which resembles a shin? Hmmm........
I've only just discovered this is Sinead. also ways thought it was Roxetee, or the Divinyls or some such. Hmm.
rating this one down to reflect how much I hate it.
There isn't a song on this album I don't love.
She can do much better! 
lmic wrote:
A little bit. Well, maybe more than just a little, but that is one reason I like it.
B52s? ;)
A little bit. Well, maybe more than just a little, but that is one reason I like it.
B52s? ;)
I agree with that review. "She yanks the listener into her turmoil..." A terrible beauty indeed. The Lion and the Cobra was for me personally a true masterpiece of angst and her voice gave voice to my own pain and confusion.(8?» wrote:
Here's an interesting review from Awesome 80s
Sinead O'Connor - The Lion And The Cobra
To quote her fellow Irishman, poet William Butler Yeats, when Sinead O'Connor's debut, The Lion and the Cobra, was released, a terrible beauty was born. O'Connor has a haunting voice as dark as the Irish bogs, and her unwavering delivery simultaneously inflames and chills. She sings in two ranges: her soprano ("Never Get Old," "Jackie") is a nearly monastic chant that's angular and breathy like a pan flute or a tin whistle, while her alto, reigning in "I Want Your (Hands on Me)" and "Mandinka," is a suspended, forceful spoken-word tone that never quite yells. By switching back and forth between these two vocal modes, she yanks the listener into her turmoil, giving you no choice but to empathize. She was only 20 years old during this recording, and her difficult relationships with lovers, motherhood, her parents, and the Catholic Church were traumatic and fresh. But rather than mellow with maturity, she gained notoriety with publicly unfavorable political antics that would accompany and often overshadow her equally astounding follow-up, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
perfect to get the blood flowing this morning!! 
..this is one of my desert isle discs..Sinead's voice, energy, & intensity were primal at that moment..
I think when she grows up she wants to be a member of the Go-Gos.
ajlept wrote:
I remember that skit—"Sinatra" got into a fight with Billy Idol, who wouldn't stop sticking out his lower lip and glaring.
He did a great skit as Reagan—slightly doddering and stiff in public, but a raging tiger of genius plotting and skullduggery behind closed doors with his cabinet. His Clinton imitation wasn't quite as good as Darryl Hammond's but it was pretty funny.
This brings back memories of SNL's "Sinatra Group." Bill Hartman (RIP) doing the "Chairman" calling her Uncle Fester. LMAO! Nice tune, too.
I remember that skit—"Sinatra" got into a fight with Billy Idol, who wouldn't stop sticking out his lower lip and glaring.
He did a great skit as Reagan—slightly doddering and stiff in public, but a raging tiger of genius plotting and skullduggery behind closed doors with his cabinet. His Clinton imitation wasn't quite as good as Darryl Hammond's but it was pretty funny.
Awful song... done listening to RP for the day.
You gotta move to this....
She Who Dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High Shall Abide Under the Shadow of the Almighty (2003)
"Oro Se Do Bheatha 'Bhaile is a traditional song, that came to be known as an Irish rebel song in the early 20th century.Originally a Jacobean ballad for Bonnie Prince Charlie, the song was rewritten by Padraig Pearse, the leader of the 1916 Irish Rebellion, in homage to Grainne Mhaol (Grace O'Malley) the famous 16th century Irish pirate queen."
"Never heard this sung with more passion." halwro
"tak,naprawdÄ wspaniaÅa interpretacja tej pieÅni dokonana przez Sinéad:) Rewolucja bÄdzie trwaÅa dopóki choÄ jeden naród nie bÄdzie w peÅni wolny...rewolucja lub ewolucja,jeÅli wiele osób bÄdzie MYÅLEÄ...to co w Årodku-to takÅŒe na zewnÄ trz...pozdr." zephir332
Jack_Jefferson wrote:
"I've been doing this gig long before you were a gleem in some drunken mick's eye!"
My favorite line was "I got chunks of guys like you in my stool."
"I've been doing this gig long before you were a gleem in some drunken mick's eye!"
Phil Hartman as Sinatra on SNL
My favorite line was "I got chunks of guys like you in my stool."
and out
perfect power pop
ice-9 wrote:
He (as Sinatra) also called her "Shinehead" O'Connor.
...but I'll miss him most as Lionel Hutz.
He (as Sinatra) also called her "Shinehead" O'Connor.
...but I'll miss him most as Lionel Hutz.
"I've been doing this gig long before you were a gleem in some drunken mick's eye!"
Phil Hartman as Sinatra on SNL
cosmiclint wrote:
Yes, RIP, Phil Hartman. ;)
P.S. Now you've got me thinking about Joe Piscopo and Eddie Murphy as Sinatra and Stevie Wonder singing Ebony and Ivory. Thank goodness for YouTube :)
He (as Sinatra) also called her "Shinehead" O'Connor.
...but I'll miss him most as Lionel Hutz.
Yes, RIP, Phil Hartman. ;)
P.S. Now you've got me thinking about Joe Piscopo and Eddie Murphy as Sinatra and Stevie Wonder singing Ebony and Ivory. Thank goodness for YouTube :)
He (as Sinatra) also called her "Shinehead" O'Connor.
...but I'll miss him most as Lionel Hutz.
What a bunch of whiners. Most of y'all need to get your panties out of a wad, and learn to take enjoyment in each song for what it is. Or jump the RP ship and go back to commercial radio. THAT would give you something to cry about.
My doughters one of the favourite songs. And she's only 3 Years old... Go Sinead!
Caly, is it really necessary to post such gigantic photos that basically fill the entire page (and thus bumping all the song comments)? Perhaps a smaller pic or a link for those that are interested?
Excellent, one of my fave albums.
Go on Bill, treat us to Troy... Please.
Go on Bill, treat us to Troy... Please.
Coulda sworn that was the chick from B-52's....
this is on the PA in the fitness gym at the Vatican. ;)
ajlept wrote:
Yes, RIP, Phil Hartman. ;)
P.S. Now you've got me thinking about Joe Piscopo and Eddie Murphy as Sinatra and Stevie Wonder singing Ebony and Ivory. Thank goodness for YouTube :)
This brings back memories of SNL's "Sinatra Group." Bill Hartman (RIP) doing the "Chairman" calling her Uncle Fester. LMAO! Nice tune, too.
Yes, RIP, Phil Hartman. ;)
P.S. Now you've got me thinking about Joe Piscopo and Eddie Murphy as Sinatra and Stevie Wonder singing Ebony and Ivory. Thank goodness for YouTube :)
Another fun one, this totally takes me back to NYC in the 80s. I saw her live at the Beacon Theatre a million years ago. During one of her acoustic, almost silent moments, some guy in the back shouts, full on brooklyn accent: "Sinead!!!! I fuckin love yooow!"
Awesome, awesome.
Awesome, awesome.
I've never really heard much of Sinead but I must say I am digging this.... was she really this new wavey?
OldFrenchie wrote:
Like you, up there in Mannytonka.
Horrible horrible horrible. I liked it better when Shine-head faded away to obscurity.
Like you, up there in Mannytonka.
This brings back memories of SNL's "Sinatra Group." Bill Hartman (RIP) doing the "Chairman" calling her Uncle Fester. LMAO! Nice tune, too.
Wow. I don't think I've heard this since the time when the album came out. Sure takes me back!
Rock & Roll on a Monday night !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!
fun singing along :) I do
I do
I do
I do like them Sam I am
I do
I do
I do like them Sam I am
I knew this girl once, her name was Mandinka...well never mind.
Singing aside. I just LOVE this woman.
As you were.
As you were.
This Lady-Singer congregates all the predicates and parchments that a singer can have, including your strong personality; for everything and because i like of hearing and appreciate your work, Tankyou Ms. Sinéad Marie Bernadette O' Connor. God Bless You! -
** 9 **
I like this one lots... but "Fire On Babylon"... 
Dang it, dang it. Always look before hitting play.
The Voice!
This is great.
Waste of her talents.
When she has the right vehicle, brilliance ensues. This isn't it.
Guilty favourite :)
Something about that 80's dum dum duuuuuuum dum sound and that cheesy repeating guitar make it almost impossible for me to like a lot of this era's music even from musicians I respect like Sinead, or even revere, like Bowie (who can honestly listen to Never Let Me Down)
Alafia wrote:
I had to look and see what everyone's comments on this song were, and was interested to see all the "I don't like her music, but I like this song" comments. I like her music a lot, but this song sucks.
I'm definitely more in line with you, bud!
I had to look and see what everyone's comments on this song were, and was interested to see all the "I don't like her music, but I like this song" comments. I like her music a lot, but this song sucks.
More_Cowbell wrote:
Mis-guided passion and ignorance is the motivation here, but I will not cast a stone. This song is a 9.
No stones cast here, she did some good stuff since SNL, only it could use a little more cowbell.
wolf-howling
fredriley wrote:
Shades of the B52s?
That's why I like it.
fredriley wrote:
Shades of the B52s?
the only song of hers i like. Its a great song if you ignore the name of the artist.
Horrible horrible horrible. I liked it better when Shine-head faded away to obscurity.
ouch
not quite mute worthy, but close
nuggler wrote:
Maybe she had a point.
Yes, one a generally agree with, it's her method at question here, at least to me. It seems one would have a different method of making the point when one matures.
BigPete wrote:
While the Catholic church is responsible for untold misery, corruption and abuse in this world, Sinead is vilified for her courageous protest. Although I am not a target of the pope's doctrine (Gays, women, altar boys, the poor), I'm solidly behind Sinead on this one. She has paid a huge personal and professional price, but somehow I bet she wouldn't change a thing.
Mis-guided passion and ignorance is the motivation here, but I will not cast a stone. This song is a 9.
coy wrote:
wasa mandinka ?
a West African Muslim tribe?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_of_the_seven_veils
as to what this song means, it's pretty open to interpretation.
Zep wrote:
Now Downpressor Man is a horrible song LOL- this one however is not bad. They have her buried far enough in the mix she's just part of the song instead of totally ruining it until the last 30 seconds or so.
ugh! i just don't like her. but i like this. and nothing compares to u. oh and especially last day of our acquantance. and three babies. nevermind.
Shades of the B52s?
This is an intensely silly song. Blech. 
buddy0407 wrote:
It doesn't get much worse than this lame song by this over-rated chick.
Yes it does.
What's in Britney's iPod.
It doesn't get much worse than this lame song by this over-rated chick.
My 200-CD changer decided to play this at exactly the same time! Synchronicity!
NOoo!! It happened again. Geez now I have to use the other brain cell to deal with this trauma. 
I think I like a Sinead O'connor song
Oh no. I thought I didn't like her. I didn't know this was her.
While the Catholic church is responsible for untold misery, corruption and abuse in this world, Sinead is vilified for her courageous protest. Although I am not a target of the pope's doctrine (Gays, women, altar boys, the poor), I'm solidly behind Sinead on this one. She has paid a huge personal and professional price, but somehow I bet she wouldn't change a thing.
wasa mandinka ?
cattgirl813 wrote:
and the remarks the current pope has made recently, she had a very valid point.
What recent remarks by the pope? And please don't say the remarks re Islam.
Great song btw. She's looney tunes but this was when she could at least still write a great song.
Hey, the cute bald chick!
nuggler wrote:
Maybe she had a point....
Given the way the Catholic Church is catching all sorts of flak for shuffling around molester priests and the remarks the current pope has made recently, she had a very valid point.
Ugh. There are much better (and less overplayed) songs from this album, such as "Troy".
Wow! Haven't heard this in ages! Great flashback!
When this came out I was travelling west from the Canadian prairies to Vancouver... I picked up a copy in Calgary before heading out into the darkness to make the trip overnight... This was in winter... the darkness cut by the snowbanks, the faint winding lines and blowing snow on the road melded this song into a permanent sensory packed memory. Etched like lines on stainless steel...
This is beautiful. I love when a special experience becomes fused in your memory with the music you were listening to at the time.