The Lion and the Cobra
| The Lion and the Cobra | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Sinéad O'Connor | ||||
| Released | 4 November 1987 | |||
| Recorded | 1986–1987, Oasis Studios, London | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock, pop rock | |||
| Length | 42:21 | |||
| Label | Ensign/Chrysalis | |||
| Producer |
Sinéad O'Connor Kevin Moloney | |||
| Sinéad O'Connor chronology | ||||
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| Alternative cover | ||||
.jpg) North American cover art |
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| Singles from The Lion and the Cobra | ||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Rolling Stone |  [2] |
| Slant Magazine | [3] |
| Sputnikmusic | 5/5[4] |
| The Village Voice | A–[5] |
The Lion and the Cobra is the 1987 debut album by Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor on Ensign/Chysalis records. O'Connor, age 20 at the time, recorded the album while heavily pregnant with her first child.
The photograph of O'Connor on the album cover was taken by Haysi Fantayzee member Kate Garner. The North American cover differed from the European release, as it was felt a more subdued pose would present a "softer" image of O'Connor.
The first single 'Troy', was released in 1987, it peaked at #8 in The Netherlands and #12 in Belgium. The second single was 'Mandinka'. The video for "Mandinka" was shown heavily after debuting 24 January 1988 on 120 Minutes on MTV. The single was a mainstream pop hit in the UK, peaking at #17 in the singles chart, as well as #6 in her native Ireland. "I Want Your (Hands on Me)" debuted in May 1988 on the same show, featuring a rap interlude by MC Lyte. The song was featured in the 1988 horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master.
The album charted worldwide, reaching #27 in the United Kingdom for 20 weeks, #4 in New Zealand for 13 weeks, #37 in Australia for 21 weeks,[6] #12 in Switzerland for 6 weeks, #52 in Germany for 3 weeks, #37 in Sweden for 2 weeks, #4 in The Netherlands for 43 weeks and #36 on the US Billboard Top 200,[7] staying on the charts for 38 for weeks.
The album featured prominent session musicians John Reynolds on drums, former Adam and the Ants guitarist Marco Pirroni, former Japan guitarist Rob Dean and Mike Clowes from Friction Groove on keyboards.
The title of the album is from Psalm 91:13 "you will tread upon the lion and cobra", and the track "Never Get Old" opens with an Irish language recital of Psalm 91 by singer Enya.
Additional single b-sides include "Still Listening" and "The Value of Ignorance".
The album sold 2,500,000 copies worldwide.
Slant Magazine listed the album at #46 on its list of "Best Albums of the 1980s saying "The Lion and the Cobra is regal, majestic, and allegorical, an album rife with images of war, slain dragons, and ghosts, and it's one of the most electrifying debuts in rock history".[8]
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Sinéad O'Connor, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Jackie" | 2:28 | |
| 2. | "Mandinka" | 3:46 | |
| 3. | "Jerusalem" | O'Connor, Ali McMordie, Mike Clowes, John Reynolds | 4:20 |
| 4. | "Just Like U Said It Would B" | O'Connor, Steve Wickham | 4:32 |
| 5. | "Never Get Old" (spoken-word intro by Enya) | 4:39 | |
| 6. | "Troy" | 6:34 | |
| 7. | "I Want Your (Hands on Me)" | O'Connor, Clowes, Reynolds, Rob Dean, Spike Holifield | 4:42 |
| 8. | "Drink Before the War" | O'Connor | 5:25 |
| 9. | "Just Call Me Joe" | O'Connor, Kevin Mooney, Leslie Winer | 5:51 |
Personnel
- Sinéad O'Connor – vocals, electric guitar, producer, Audio mixing, arranger
- Kevin Moloney – Producer, Engineer, Audio mixing
- Fachtna O'Ceallaigh - Audio mixing
- Marco Pirroni – electric and acoustic guitars
- 'Spike' Holifield – bass
- Rob Dean – electric and acoustic guitars
- John Reynolds – drums, programming
- Mike Clowes – synthesizer, keyboards, string arrangements on "Troy"
- Kevin Mooney - All Guitars & Bass Guitar on "Just Call Me Joe"
- Gavyn Wright – orchestra director
- Enya – speaking part on "Never Get Old"
- Leslie Winer - spoken words on "Just Call Me Joe"
- Terence Morris, Lloyd Phillips & Chris Birkett – Mixing on "Mandinka" & "I Want Your (Hands on Me)"
- Jack Adams – mastering
- Kate Garner, Kim Bowen – photography
- John Maybury, Steve Horse – art direction, cover art
References
- ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Lion and the Cobra - Sinéad O'Connor". Allmusic.
- ↑ DeCurtis, Andrew (1988-01-28). "The Lion And The Cobra". Rolling Stone.
- ↑ Cinquemani, Sal (2007-08-13). "Sinéad O'Connor: The Lion and the Cobra". Slant Magazine.
- ↑ Donnelly, Dave (2006-11-04). "Sinéad O'Connor - The Lion And The Cobra (staff review)". Sputnikmusic.
- ↑ Christgau, Robert (February 23, 1988). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice (New York). Retrieved April 26, 2016.
- ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
- ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/artist/sin%C3%A9ad-oconnor-mn0000756180/awards
- ↑ http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/feature/best-albums-of-the-1980s/308/page_6
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