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Sign “☮︎” the Times
Prince · 1987
Details
Duración5:02
ÁlbumSign “☮︎” the Times
Año1987
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The story behind
The song Sign "O" the Times, released as a single on February 18, 1987, was conceived during a period of experimentation for Prince. Originally intended for two albums that ultimately did not see the light of day in 1986, Dream Factory and Crystal Ball, this piece encapsulates a distinctive sonic atmosphere. It was built almost entirely on the Fairlight CMI sampler synthesizer, which provided both the main keyboard riff and the electronic basslines. Interestingly, all the Fairlight sounds used come from factory presets, including that recognizable "orchestra hit" towards the end. The arrangement is deliberately sparse, marking a contrast with previous works, and is complemented by a lead guitar that evokes blues and funk, although the latter was edited down in the single version. The lyrics address social and political issues in a raw manner, touching on subjects such as HIV/AIDS, gang violence, natural disasters, poverty, the crack epidemic, the Challenger space shuttle disaster, the Strategic Defense Initiative, and the threat of nuclear war. The single's cover art features Cat Glover, who joined the band, hiding her face behind a black heart; the promotional images were captured by Jeff Katz.
The single was well-received, topping the R&B chart and reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100. By July 1987, it had already sold 200,000 copies in the United States. Critics also recognized its value; The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop poll named it the best single of the year, and in 2010, Rolling Stone ranked it at number 304 on its list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. The recording took place on July 15, 1986, at Sunset Sound, Hollywood, Los Angeles. The song's duration varies between the 7-inch version (3:44) and the album version (5:02). The B-side of the single included La, La, La, He, He, Hee, a piece that arose from a challenge by Sheena Easton to Prince, resulting in a shared songwriting credit and the participation of Sheila E. on vocals and percussion, as well as Eric Leeds and Atlanta Bliss on wind instruments.