Mandinka (song)

"Mandinka" is a song by Sinéad O'Connor from her 1987 album The Lion and the Cobra.^[2] Sinéad O'Connor drew inspiration from many different sources, for example, her Irish tradition as well as Leonard Cohen, punk rock, and the nascent rap scene.^[3]

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."

In this song, O’Connor sings "I don’t know no shame, I feel no pain/I can’t see the flame," she sings, this to let the listeners know her main point behind the song. She later sings in the song "I have refused to take part" which can be interpreted into how she refused to take part in the music industries sexist practices.^[3]

O’Connor's initial album, "The Lion and the Cobra", sold a respectable 350,000 copies and would remain on the charts for about six months. The single "Mandinka" also topped the dance chart. An explanation of the LP (Long Play) cut "I Want Your (Hands on Me)," was revised as Sinèad did a duo with female rapper M.C. Lyte, which helped her to keep her MTV profile higher.^[4]

The video for "Mandinka" was in heavy rotation after debuting 24 January 1988 in 120 Minutes on MTV. The single was a mainstream pop hit in the UK, peaking at #17 in the singles chart, #6 in her native Ireland, #24 in The Netherlands, #26 in Belgium, #18 in New Zealand and #39 in Australia.^[5]

The song was also a big college radio hit in the US. In 1988, O'Connor sang "Mandinka" on Late Night with David Letterman,^[6] in what was her first US network television appearance. She also sang the song live at the 1989 Grammy Awards.

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