A previously-unheard song by the late Sinéad O’Connor premiered in the final episode of BBC’s ‘The Woman In The Wall’ on Sunday (September 24).
Starring Ruth Wilson, the show centres on Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries; institutions run by Roman Catholic orders that operated until the 1990s and have been likened to labour camps for young mothers.
Prior to her death aged 56 this summer, the Nothing Compares 2 U hitmaker gave the BBC the rights to the The Magdalene Song for use in the series. It sees O’Connor reflect on the pain of losing a child, drawing on her experience of a similar institution from the age of 15.
Discussing the track, her producer David Holmes told The Guardian: “The first half of the track is completely heartbreaking, and the second half is pure defiance.
“I stripped the song away to just Sinéad’s voice and then let the full power come in for the second half. It’s incredible how the meaning of the song came together with this story. It was just meant to be. There’s a certain magic when you bring music to an emotive story.”
“Sinéad sanctioned the track for use before they had even started shooting, and when the producers heard it they were amazed to have something so strong. We all felt the only place this can go is at the end.”
Of how the song ended up in the series, he added: “In the lyrics Sinéad was trying to say, I think, that though she’d been through great turmoil, it would not stop her being who she wanted to be.
“She never really spoke about the meaning of her songs. She used to joke that she would often tell people that her songs were about something completely different to what they were about. But this one – well, it’s called ‘The Magdalene Song’.”
Having been approached by producer Susan Breen, Holmes recalled: “I told Sinéad the script was not like anything else anyone has done on the subject, and it had Ruth Wilson, one of the finest actors in the world – on a different level. Sinéad said: ‘I believe you. Give them The Magdalene Song.’”
Listen to The Magdalane Song in Episode 6 of ‘The Woman In The Wall’ here.
O’Connor passed away at the age of 56 in July and was laid to rest at a ceremony in the Irish town of Bray in August. She is survived by her three children. Her son, Shane, died last year aged 17.
Shortly prior to her passing, O’Connor appeared optimistic about the future of her career and shared plans for the next two years on social media, including details of the album release and subsequent tour.
She said in a Facebook post from 12 July: “Hi all, recently moved back to London after 23 years absence. Very happy to be home. Soon finishing my album. Release early next year. Hopefully touring Australia and New Zealand toward end 2024. Europe, USA and other territories beginning early 2025. [sic]”
