Sign O' The Times is the first track on the first disc of Prince's ninth album Sign O' The Times, and, six weeks before the album's release, Sign O' The Times was released as the album's first single.
In 1987, a live version was included as the opening track of the concert movie Sign O' The Times, and an instrumental studio version was played over the movie's credits.
In 1993, the single edit was included as the 15th track on Prince's first compilation album The Hits 1 (also included as the first disc of The Hits / The B-Sides).
Basic tracking took place on 15 July 1986 at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, California (the same day as the unreleased track Blanche).
The track was initially included as the first track on the second disc on an 18 July 1986 configuration of Dream Factory, and was kept for inclusion as the album developed into the triple-album Crystal Ball (included as the fourth track on the third disc on the 30 November 1986 configuration), which was eventually pared down and became Sign O' The Times.
Released ahead of the Sign O' The Times album, Sign O' The Times was the first track released with a credit of "Prince" (rather than "Prince and the Revolution") since When Doves Cry.
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Recording Information
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Recording Sessions
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Date
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Studio
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Additional info
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15 July 1986
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Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA, USA
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Basic tracking
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Recording Personnel
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- Prince - all vocals and instruments
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Versions
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Released Versions
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Video Versions
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Broadcasts/streaming (only)
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Title
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Length
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Released
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Version
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Additional info
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Sign O' The Times
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T.B.C.
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Live awards show performance TV broadcast
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Live
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11 September 1987, 1987 MTV Video Music Awards, Universal Amphitheatre, Universal City, CA, USA
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Sign O' The Times
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T.B.C.
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Delayed awards show performance TV broadcast
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Live
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15 March 2004, 19th Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony, Waldorf Astoria, New York, NY, USA
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Sign O' The Times
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T.B.C.
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Live concert online stream
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Live
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10 May 2015, Baltimore, MN, USA, Royal Farms Arena; sampler set version
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Sampled, Referred to, Quoted in...
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Unreleased Versions
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Title
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Version
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Additional Info
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Sign O' The Times
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Alternate mix
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Shorter than the released version, with slightly alternate ending
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Sign O' The Times
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Instrumental
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Full instrumental version, as heard on Sign O' The Times
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