- The Lion and the Cobra
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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 MoloneyProfessional reviews 
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- Allmusic
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Sinéad O'Connor chronology The Lion and the Cobra
(1987)I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
(1990)Alternative cover 
U.S. cover artSingles from The Lion and the Cobra The Lion and the Cobra is the 1987 debut album by Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor. 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 U.S. cover differed from the European release, as it was felt a more subdued pose would present a "softer" image of O'Connor.
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 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 featured prominent session musicians John Reynolds on drums and former Adam and the Ants and Siouxsie and the Banshees guitarist Marco Pirroni.
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 in Irish by singer Enya.
Additional single b-sides include "Still Listening" and "The Value of Ignorance".
The album sold 2,500,000 copies worldwide.
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, Clowes, Reynolds 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
Sinéad O'Connor Studio albums The Lion and the Cobra (1987) • I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got (1990) • Am I Not Your Girl? (1992) • Universal Mother (1994) • Gospel Oak EP (1997) • Faith and Courage (2000) • Sean-Nós Nua (2002) • Throw Down Your Arms (2005) • Theology (2007) • Home (TBR)Compilations So Far... The Best of Sinéad O'Connor (1997) • She Who Dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High Shall Abide Under the Shadow of the Almighty (2003) • Collaborations (2005) • Essential (2005)Video albums The Value of Ignorance (1989) • The Year of the Horse (1991) • Goodnight, Thank You, You've Been a Lovely Audience (2003) • Live at the Sugar Club (2008)Singles "Troy" (1987) • "Mandinka" (1987) • "I Want Your (Hands on Me)" (1988) • "Jerusalem" (1988) • "Jump in the River" (1988) • "Nothing Compares 2 U" (1990) • "The Emperor's New Clothes" (1990) • "Three Babies" (1990) • "I Am Stretched on Your Grave" (1990)• "My Special Child" (1991) • "Silent Night" (1991) • "Success Has Made a Failure of Our Home" (1992) • "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" (1992) • "You Made Me the Thief of Your Heart" (1994) • "Thank You for Hearing Me" (1994) • "Fire on Babylon" (1994) • "Famine"/"All Apologies" (1995) • "This Is to Mother You" (1997) • "This Is a Rebel Song" (1997) • "Chiquitita" (1998) • "No Man's Woman" (2000) • "Jealous" (2000) • "Troy (The Phoenix From the Flame)" (2002) • "My Lagan Love" (2002) • "A Hundred Thousand Angels" (2003) • "Marcus Garvey" (2005) • "Throw Down Your Arms" (2005) • "I Don't Know How to Love Him" (2007) • "Something Beautiful" (2007) • "We People (Who Are Darker Than Blue)" (2008) • "How About I Be Me" (2011)Guest singles "Heroine" (1986) • "Blood of Eden" (1992) • "Don't Give Up" (1993) • "Haunted" (1995) • "Empire" (1996) • "Guide Me God" (2002) • "Tears from the Moon" (2002) • "1000 Mirrors" (2003) • "Special Cases" (2003) • "Illegal Attacks" (2007) • "It's Only Life" (2010)Related articles DiscographyCategories:- 1987 albums
- Debut albums
- Sinéad O'Connor albums
- Allmusic
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