Single: Sign O' The Times: Difference between revisions

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|trivia                  = Warner Bros. Records filed a suit on 12 March 1987 against US radio KIIS-L.A. for playing the single earlier than the scheduled airplay date provided with the advance copy of the single, asking $1 million in punitive damages. (Billboard Vol. 99 No.13 - 28 March 1987).
|trivia                  = Warner Bros. Records filed a suit on 12 March 1987 against US radio KIIS-L.A. for playing the single earlier than the scheduled airplay date provided with the advance copy of the single, asking $1 million in punitive damages. (Billboard Vol. 99 No.13 - 28 March 1987).
* The single remained 11 weeks in the Billboard Hot Black Single Top 40 Chart and 7 weeks in the Gallup Top 40 UK chart.
* The single remained 11 weeks in the Billboard Hot Black Single Top 40 Chart and 7 weeks in the Gallup Top 40 UK chart.
* When [[Single: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]] entered the Top Ten of the Billboard Black Chart on 28 March 1987 (number 9), two other singles released by [[Paisley Park Records]] were also on the top ten of that same chart : ''Hold Me'' by [[Sheila E.]] (number 3) and [[Single: 6|6]] by [[Madhouse]] (number 5). Three others songs written and produced by former [[Prince]] associates were also highly charted at the same time: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jody_Watley Jody Watley]’s [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Looking_for_a_New_Love Looking For A New Love] ([[Andre Cymone]] co-wrote the track with Jody Watley produced it with [[David Z.]]) topped the Billboard Black Chart, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let’s_Wait_Awhile Let’s Wait Awhile] by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Jackson Janet Jackson] and ''Keep Your Eye On Me'' by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb_Alpert Herb Alpert], both co-written and produced by former [[The Time]] members [[Jimmy Jam]] and [[Terry Lewis]] were at the 7th and 8th spot respectively.  
* When [[Single: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]] entered the Top Ten of the Billboard Black Chart on 28 March 1987 (number 9), two other singles released by [[Paisley Park Records]] were also on the top ten of that same chart : ''Hold Me'' by [[Sheila E.]] (number 3) and [[Single: 6|6]] by [[Madhouse]] (number 5). Three others songs written and produced by former [[Prince]] associates were also highly charted at the same time: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jody_Watley Jody Watley]’s [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Looking_for_a_New_Love Looking For A New Love] ([[Andre Cymone]] co-wrote the track with Jody Watley produced it with [[David Z.]]) topped the Billboard Black Chart, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let’s_Wait_Awhile Let’s Wait Awhile] by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Jackson Janet Jackson] and ''Keep Your Eye On Me'' by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb_Alpert Herb Alpert], both co-written and produced by former [[The Time]] members [[Jimmy Jam]] and [[Terry Lewis]] were at the 7th and 8th spot respectively.  
|alternative            =
|alternative            =
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Latest revision as of 13:12, 1 March 2025

1986: Anotherloverholenyohead ◄ All Singles All Related Artists Singles ► 1987: If I Was Your Girlfriend 
Sign O’ The Times

Single details

Released: 18 February 1987 (US release)

2 March 1987 (UK release)

Related album: Sign O’ The Times
Label(s): Warner Bros. / Paisley Park Records
Non-Album track(s):

La, La, La, He, He, Hee (3:21)
La, La, La, He, He, Hee (Highly Explosive) (10:32)
Sign O’ The Times (Edit) (3:42)

Charts, Certifications & Awards

Charts
America
Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart
USA: Billboard Hot 100 7 Mar. 1987 3 14
USA: Billboard Hot Black Singles 7 Mar. 1987 1(3) 14
USA: Billboard Hot Black Singles Airplay 14 Mar. 1987 1(2)
USA: Billboard Hot Black Singles Sales 14 Mar. 1987 1(1)
USA: Billboard Hot Crossover 30 14 Mar. 1987 1(1) 7
USA: Billboard Hot Dance/Disco - Club Play 21 Mar. 1987 2(3) 11
USA: Billboard Hot Dance/Disco - 12 Inch Singles Sales 21 Mar. 1987 2(?)
 
Europe
Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart
Austria: Top 30 1 Jun. 1987 20 4
Belgium: Ultratop Flanders 21 Mar. 1987 8 9
Ireland: IRMA Singles Chart 8 Mar. 1987 6 7
Germany: Offizielle Airplay Top 100 2 Mar. 1987 26 7
Germany: Offizielle Deutsche Top 75 6 Apr. 1987 35 14
The Netherlands: Mega Top 50 14 Mar. 1987 7 14
Norway: VG-Lista Week 15/1987 7 7
Sweden: Top 20 Singles 11 Mar. 1987 14 6
Switzerland: Schweizer Hitparade 22 Mar. 1987 11 15
U.K.: Gallup Singles Chart 14 Mar. 1987 10 9
Re-entries
France: SNEP Singles Top 200 23 Apr. 2016 15 3
Switzerland: Schweizer Hitparade 1 May 2016 67 1
 
Pacific
Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart
Australia: ARIA Top 50 Singles 17 Apr. 1987 29 8
New Zealand: Top 50 Singles 12 Apr. 1987 4 12
Certifications
This single has not received any certifications in the USA
Awards
This single has not received any awards in the USA

See also

Sign O’ The Times
(Music video) 		Sign O’ The Times
(Sheet music)

Sign O’ The Times was the first single to be released from Prince’s ninth album Sign O’ The Times, released six weeks before the album. The b-side, La, La, La, He, He, Hee, was previously-unreleased.

The cover art depicted new bandmember Cat, with her face obscured by the heart she was holding. It is a common misconception that this was, in fact, Prince.


Airplay

The single was the most added in both Billboard "Radio Most Added" sections of Hot Black Singles Action and Hot 100 Singles Actions charts on 7 March 1987, with a total of respectively 53 and 115 new adds, showing that a large number of radio stations across the USA had added it to their playlists.


Charts

Billboard reviewed the single on 7 March 1987 (Vol. 99 N°10, page 77) in the Singles "Picks" section (Records with the greatest chart potential):

"Preview and title track of his forthcoming album; reverse application of of the stark "Kiss" sound sketches the universal '80s quandary."

The single reached number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart, failing to top the chart due to tremendous success of 2 singles stuck in positions 1 and 2 for several weeks: "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me" (Aretha Franklin & George Michael) and "Don’t Dream It’s Over" (Crowded House). It nevertheless reached number 1 on the Billboard Top Black Singles Chart, marking his fifth number 1 on that chart, following I Wanna Be Your Lover, When Doves Cry, Let’s Go Crazy and Kiss.

Sign O’ The Times fared also very well on the clubs market, reaching position 2 on the Dance Disco - Club Play, and 12-Inch Single Sales.

In Europe, the single showed Prince consolidated as a sales force outside of the USA, as it topped charts top 10 in the United Kingdom (10), Ireland (6), Belgium (8), The Netherlands (7) and Norway (7). It did also well in New Zealand, reaching position 4 on the the Singles Top 50.


Track listing
7" 12"

A. Sign O’ The Times (Edit) (3:42)
B. La, La, La, He, He, Hee (3:21)

  • Cat #: US/NZ: 7-28399

UK: W8399
JP: P-2241
DE/CA: 928 399-7
AU: MX213109-10

Cassette Single

A. Sign O’ The Times (LP Version) (4:57)
B. La, La, La, He, He, Hee (Highly Explosive) (10:32)

  • Cat #: US: 4-20648

A. Sign O’ The Times (LP Version) (4:57)
B. La, La, La, He, He, Hee (Highly Explosive) (10:32)

  • Cat #: US/CAN: 0-20648

UK: W8399T
DEU: 920 648-0
AUS: MX213113-4

12" Picture Disc

A. Sign O’ The Times (LP Version) (4:57)
B. La, La, La, He, He, Hee (Highly Explosive) (10:32)

  • Cat #: UK: W8399TP
  • See individual tracks and related albums for credits.

Other Formats
7" Promo 12" Promo
  • (US: 7-28399)

A. Sign O’ The Times (Edit) (3:42)
B. Sign O’ The Times (Edit) (3:42)

7" 1989 Back To Back Hits Reissue

  • (US: 7-21938)

A. Sign O’ The Times (Edit) (3:42)
AA. U Got The Look (3:46)

Cassette 1989 Back To Back Hits Reissue

  • (US: 4-21938)

A. Sign O’ The Times (Edit) (3:42)
AA. U Got The Look (3:46)
  • (US: PRO-A-2687)

A. Sign O’ The Times (Edit) (3:42)
B. Sign O’ The Times (LP Version) (4:57)

  • (UK: SAM 349)

A. Sign O’ The Times (LP Version) (4:57)
B. La, La, La, He, He, Hee (Highly Explosive) (10:32)

12" 2007 Reissue

  • (UK: 920 648-0)

A. Sign O’ The Times (LP Version) (4:57)
B. La, La, La, He, He, Hee (Highly Explosive) (10:32)

Digital


  • (iTunes 2007 UK digital reissue / BPM)

A. Sign O’ The Times (LP Version) (4:57)
B. La, La, La, He, He, Hee (Highly Explosive) (10:32)


Releases
7", 12", CD, Cassettes and Other versions
Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2
This section is under construction

Variants, Special Editions and Reissues
Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2
This section is under construction
 
Additional Information
Promotion (at time of release) Triva
  • Billboard issued a special on Prince and the Minneapolis Scene on 25 April 1987 (Vol. 99 N°17).
  • UK press advert published in Smash Hits:
  • Warner Bros. Records filed a suit on 12 March 1987 against US radio KIIS-L.A. for playing the single earlier than the scheduled airplay date provided with the advance copy of the single, asking $1 million in punitive damages. (Billboard Vol. 99 No.13 - 28 March 1987).
  • The single remained 11 weeks in the Billboard Hot Black Single Top 40 Chart and 7 weeks in the Gallup Top 40 UK chart.
  • When Sign O’ The Times entered the Top Ten of the Billboard Black Chart on 28 March 1987 (number 9), two other singles released by Paisley Park Records were also on the top ten of that same chart : Hold Me by Sheila E. (number 3) and 6 by Madhouse (number 5). Three others songs written and produced by former Prince associates were also highly charted at the same time: Jody Watley’s Looking For A New Love (Andre Cymone co-wrote the track with Jody Watley produced it with David Z.) topped the Billboard Black Chart, Let’s Wait Awhile by Janet Jackson and Keep Your Eye On Me by Herb Alpert, both co-written and produced by former The Time members Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were at the 7th and 8th spot respectively.
References
Billboard Vol. 99 N° 10 (7 March 1987), No.13 (28 March 1987); The Billboard Book Of Top 40 R&B and Hip-Hop Hits by Joel Whitburn (ISBN 0-8230-8283-0); Top R&B Singles 1942 - 1999 by Joel Whitburn (ISBN 0-89820-136-5); Billboard Hot 100 Charts - The Eighties by Joel Whitburn (ISBN 0-89820-079-2); Hot Dance/Disco 1974-2003 by Joel Withburn (ISBN 0-89820-156-X); British Hit Singles by Martin Roach (ISBN 978-0-7535-1537-2); The Official UK Charts Company / Prince
  • Charts Timeline:
Expand this section to see the timeline > > > 
Year 1987 7
Mar 		14
Mar 		21
Mar 		28
Mar 		4
Apr 		11
Apr 		18
Apr 		25
Apr 		2
May 		9
May 		16
May 		23
May 		30
May 		6
Jun 		13
Jun 		20
Jun 		27
Jun 		3
Jul 		10
Jul 		17
Jul
Americas
Billboard Special on MPLS & Prince: 25 April 1987
USA Billboard Hot 100 Singles (100 pos) 59 35 24 14 12 7 4 3 - - - - - -
USA Billboard Hot 100 Singles Airplay (40 pos) ?? ?? 25 15 13 ?? 5 5 - - - - - -
USA Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales (40 pos) ?? ?? 27 14 10 ?? 4 3 - - - - - -
USA Billboard Hot Black Singles (100 pos) 63 40 21 9 3 1 1 1 - - - - - -
USA Billboard Hot Black Singles Airplay (40 pos) - 27 9 6 3 ?? 1 1 - - - - - -
USA Billboard Hot Black Singles Sales (40 pos) - - 37 19 8 ?? 4 1 - - - - - -
USA Billboard Hot Crossover (30 pos) - 18 6 4 1 2 1 1 - - - - - -
USA Billboard Hot Dance / Disco - Club Play (40 pos) - - 41 23 19 14 8 2 - - - - - -
USA Billboard Hot Dance / Disco - 12-Inch Sales (40 pos) - - 18 5 4 4 3 2 - - - - - -
Europe
Sign O’The Times Tour (Europe)
AT Austria Top Singles - bimonthly (30 pos) - - - - - - - - - - - - - 22 x 20 x 23 x 22
BE Ultratop Flanders (40 pos) - - 23 12 10 9 8 11 15 23 35 - - - - - - - - -
NL Mega Top (100 pos) - 26 10 9 8 7 11 14 18 19 32 35 40 76 96 - - - - -
NO VG-Lista (10 pos) - - - - - 10 8 8 8 7 8 9 - - - - - - - -
SE Top 20 Singles - bimonthly (20 pos) - 16 x 14 x 16 x 20 x 16 x 15 - - - - - - - -
CH Schweizer Hitparade (30 pos) - - 17 22 17 11 11 11 14 11 15 23 20 14 18 17 23 - - -
UK Gallup Singles (75 pos) - 26 16 10 12 15 21 34 48 69 - - - - - - - - - -
Asia / Pacific
AU Aria Singles Charts (50 pos) - - - - - - 44 34 31 36 29 31 29 40 - - - - - -
NZ Top 50 Singles (50 pos) - - - - - 17 10 ?? 8 4 4 10 6 10 14 22 35 44 - -


1986
Anotherloverholenyohead 		All Singles All Related Artists Singles 1987
If I Was Your Girlfriend
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