Difference between revisions of "Sign O' The Times"

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[[Album: Ultimate|Ultimate]]<br>
 
[[Album: Ultimate|Ultimate]]<br>
 
[[Album: 4Ever|4Ever]]<br>
 
[[Album: 4Ever|4Ever]]<br>
[[Album: Sign O’ The Times Deluxe| Sign O’ The Times ''Super Deluxe Edition'']]
+
[[Album: Sign O’ The Times Deluxe|Sign O’ The Times ''Deluxe Edition'' and ''Super Deluxe Edition'']]
 
|writer(s)                = [[Prince]]
 
|writer(s)                = [[Prince]]
 
|producer(s)              = [[Prince]]
 
|producer(s)              = [[Prince]]
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Released ahead of the [[Album: Sign O’ The Times|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]].
 
Released ahead of the [[Album: Sign O’ The Times|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]].
 
|recording info            =
 
|recording info            =
 +
{{RecordingLine|
 +
|date                      = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/July 15|15 July 1986]]
 +
|studio                    = [[Sunset Sound]] - Studio 3,<br>Hollywood, CA, USA
 +
|additional info          = Tracking, vocals, overdubs, mix
 +
}}
 
{{RecordingLine|
 
{{RecordingLine|
 
|date                      = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/July 16|16 July 1986]]
 
|date                      = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/July 16|16 July 1986]]
|studio                    = [[Sunset Sound]],<br>Hollywood, CA, USA
+
|studio                    = [[Sunset Sound]] - Studio 3,<br>Hollywood, CA, USA
|additional info          = Basic tracking
+
|additional info          = Instrumental, probable mix
 
}}
 
}}
 
|recording personnel      =  
 
|recording personnel      =  
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|2= 5:02
 
|2= 5:02
 
|3= [[Album: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]]<br>
 
|3= [[Album: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]]<br>
[[Single: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]] single
+
[[Single: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]] single<br>
 
[[Album: Sounds O’ The Times|Sounds O’ The Times]] promotional album <br>
 
[[Album: Sounds O’ The Times|Sounds O’ The Times]] promotional album <br>
 
[[file:Eye88.png|link=Album: Eye Love Prince]] [[Album: Eye Love Prince|Love Prince]] promotional album <br>
 
[[file:Eye88.png|link=Album: Eye Love Prince]] [[Album: Eye Love Prince|Love Prince]] promotional album <br>
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|1= '''Sign O’ The Times'''
 
|1= '''Sign O’ The Times'''
 
|2= 5:02
 
|2= 5:02
|3= [[Album: Sign O’ The Times Deluxe| Sign O’ The Times ''(Super) Deluxe Edition'']]
+
|3= [[Album: Sign O’ The Times Deluxe|Sign O’ The Times ''Deluxe Edition'' and ''Super Deluxe Edition'']]
 
|4= Studio
 
|4= Studio
 
|5= Remastered in 2020
 
|5= Remastered in 2020
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|1= '''Sign O’ The Times (Edit)'''
 
|1= '''Sign O’ The Times (Edit)'''
 
|2= 3:42
 
|2= 3:42
|3= [[Album: Sign O’ The Times Deluxe| Sign O’ The Times ''Super Deluxe Edition'']]<br>
+
|3= [[Album: Sign O’ The Times Deluxe|Sign O’ The Times ''Deluxe Edition'' and ''Super Deluxe Edition'']]<br>
 
[[Collection: Sign O’ The Times - The Singles‎|Sign O’ The Times - The Singles‎]]
 
[[Collection: Sign O’ The Times - The Singles‎|Sign O’ The Times - The Singles‎]]
 
|4= Studio
 
|4= Studio
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{{Unreleasedline|
 
{{Unreleasedline|
 
|1= '''Sign O’ The Times'''
 
|1= '''Sign O’ The Times'''
|2= Alternate mix
+
|2= Studio
|3= Shorter than the released version, with slightly alternate ending
+
|3= Longer than the released version
 +
}}
 +
{{Unreleasedline|
 +
|1= '''Sign O’ The Times'''
 +
|2= Studio
 +
|3= Alternate mix Shorter than the released version, with slightly alternate ending
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
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* [[Hit And Run Part II]] <small>(during sampler set)</small>
 
* [[Hit And Run Part II]] <small>(during sampler set)</small>
 
|performed occasionally in = [[All Concerts#1987|1987]], [[All Concerts#1988|1988]], [[All Concerts#1999|1999]], [[All Concerts#2002|2002]], [[All Concerts#2004|2004]], [[All Concerts#2011|2011]] <small>(clip only during sampler set)</small>, [[All Concerts#2012|2012]] <small>(clip only during sampler set)</small>, [[All_Concerts#2013|2013]] <small>(during sampler set)</small>, [[All Concerts#2014|2014]] <small>(during sampler set)</small>, [[All Concerts#2015|2015]] <small>(during sampler set)</small>
 
|performed occasionally in = [[All Concerts#1987|1987]], [[All Concerts#1988|1988]], [[All Concerts#1999|1999]], [[All Concerts#2002|2002]], [[All Concerts#2004|2004]], [[All Concerts#2011|2011]] <small>(clip only during sampler set)</small>, [[All Concerts#2012|2012]] <small>(clip only during sampler set)</small>, [[All_Concerts#2013|2013]] <small>(during sampler set)</small>, [[All Concerts#2014|2014]] <small>(during sampler set)</small>, [[All Concerts#2015|2015]] <small>(during sampler set)</small>
|trivia                    = On [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/May_12|12 May 1988]], [[Prince]] was given an award for ''R&B/Bands: R&B Composition'' (for [[Sign O’ The Times]] and [[U Got The Look]]) during the same ceremony where [[Prince]] also received nine other awards: ''Rock/Individuals: Male''; ''Rock/Recording: Mainstream'' and ''Rock/Composition: Mainstream'' (for [[Album: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]]); ''R&B/Individuals: Male Vocalist''; ''R&B/Individuals: Guitarist''; ''R&B/Bands: Performing Band''; ''R&B/Bands: Recording''; ''Production/Movie/Theatrical'' (for [[Film: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]]) and ''Production/Multi Media Scores''.
+
|trivia                    = The tambourine and cabasa sounds on this song are from the LinnDrum, not the LM-1 usually utilized by [[Prince]].
 +
* On [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/May_12|12 May 1988]], [[Prince]] was given an award for ''R&B/Bands: R&B Composition'' (for [[Sign O’ The Times]] and [[U Got The Look]]) during the same ceremony where [[Prince]] also received nine other awards: ''Rock/Individuals: Male''; ''Rock/Recording: Mainstream'' and ''Rock/Composition: Mainstream'' (for [[Album: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]]); ''R&B/Individuals: Male Vocalist''; ''R&B/Individuals: Guitarist''; ''R&B/Bands: Performing Band''; ''R&B/Bands: Recording''; ''Production/Movie/Theatrical'' (for [[Film: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]]) and ''Production/Multi Media Scores''.
 
|see also                  = [[Album: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]] album
 
|see also                  = [[Album: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]] album
 
*[[Single: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]] single
 
*[[Single: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]] single
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*[[Album: Dream Factory|Dream Factory]] unreleased album
 
*[[Album: Dream Factory|Dream Factory]] unreleased album
 
*[[Album: Crystal Ball 1986|Crystal Ball]] unreleased album
 
*[[Album: Crystal Ball 1986|Crystal Ball]] unreleased album
*[[Album: Sign O’ The Times Deluxe|Sign O’ The Times ''Super Deluxe Edition'']]
+
*[[Album: Sign O’ The Times Deluxe|Sign O’ The Times ''Deluxe Edition'' and ''Super Deluxe Edition'']]
 
|references                = ''[[Book:_The_Vault|The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince (2004)]] ''
 
|references                = ''[[Book:_The_Vault|The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince (2004)]] ''
 +
* ''[https://www.duanetudahl.com/prince-book Prince and the Parade/Sign O’ The Times Era Studio Sessions 1985 and 1986, Duane Tudahl (2021)]''
 
|categories                = [[Category:1987]][[Category:Released Songs (Prince)]][[Category:Songs (Prince)]][[Category:Recorded 1985]][[Category:Recorded 1986]]
 
|categories                = [[Category:1987]][[Category:Released Songs (Prince)]][[Category:Songs (Prince)]][[Category:Recorded 1985]][[Category:Recorded 1986]]
 
}}
 
}}

Revision as of 09:53, 12 September 2021

Shy   < < < Non-Prince Songs All Prince Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Silicon
Sign O’ The Times

Sott.jpg
from the album Sign O’ The Times
Signothetimes single.jpg
single art for Sign O’ The Times
Song details
Performer: Prince
First Released: 18 February 1987 - Sign O’ The Times single
Album(s): Sign O’ The Times

The Hits 1
The Hits / The B-Sides
The Very Best Of Prince
Ultimate
4Ever
Sign O’ The Times Deluxe Edition and Super Deluxe Edition

Writer(s): Prince
Producer(s): Prince
Live Appearances
First and last live appearance:
Performed regularly on tour:
Performed occasionally in shows:

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 16 July 1986 at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, California (on the same day as 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.


Recording Information
Recording Sessions
Date Studio Additional info
15 July 1986 Sunset Sound - Studio 3,
Hollywood, CA, USA
Tracking, vocals, overdubs, mix
16 July 1986 Sunset Sound - Studio 3,
Hollywood, CA, USA
Instrumental, probable mix
Recording Personnel
  • Prince - all vocals and instruments

Versions
Released Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Sign O’ The Times 5:02 Sign O’ The Times

Sign O’ The Times single
Sounds O’ The Times promotional album
Eye88.png Love Prince promotional album

Studio
Sign O’ The Times 5:02 Sign O’ The Times Deluxe Edition and Super Deluxe Edition Studio Remastered in 2020
Sign O’ The Times (Edit) 3:42 Sign O’ The Times single

The Crown Jewels promotional album
The Hits 1
The Hits / The B-Sides
The Very Best Of Prince
Ultimate
4Ever

Edit
Sign O’ The Times 5:02 Nothing Compares 2 Him promotional album
Studio Slight edit of the album version with a fade out ending
Sign O’ The Times (Edit) 3:42 Sign O’ The Times Deluxe Edition and Super Deluxe Edition

Sign O’ The Times - The Singles‎

Studio Remastered in 2020
Intro / Sign O’ The Times 5:36 Sign O’ The Times Super Deluxe Edition Live 20 June 1987: Stadion de Galgenwaard, Utrecht, the Netherlands
Video Versions
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Sign O’ The Times 3:42 The Hits Collection VHS/DVD Promo video See Sign O’ The Times video for details
Sign O’ The Times 5:05 Sign O’ The Times VHS/DVD Live See Sign O’ The Times for details
Sign O’ The Times T.B.C. Sign O’ The Times VHS/DVD Instrumental Instrumental studio version played over movie credits
Sign O’ The Times 0:58 Interactive CD-ROM Live excerpt 11 September 1987, 1987 MTV Video Music Awards, Universal Amphitheatre, Universal City, CA, USA
Sign O’ The Times T.B.C. Sign O’ The Times Super Deluxe Edition DVD Live 31 December 1987: Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, MN, USA
Broadcasts/streaming (only)
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Sign O’ The Times T.B.C. Live awards show performance TV broadcast Live 11 September 1987, 1987 MTV Video Music Awards, Universal Amphitheatre, Universal City, CA, USA
Sign O’ The Times T.B.C. Delayed awards show performance TV broadcast Live 15 March 2004, 19th Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony, Waldorf Astoria, New York, NY, USA
Sign O’ The Times T.B.C. Live concert online stream Live 10 May 2015, Baltimore, MN, USA, Royal Farms Arena; sampler set version
Sampled, Referred to, Quoted in...
Title Length Released Version Additional info
Musicology 4:26 Musicology Studio Brief clip heard 'on radio' during segue following Musicology
Unreleased Versions
Title Version Additional Info
Sign O’ The Times Studio Longer than the released version
Sign O’ The Times Studio Alternate mix Shorter than the released version, with slightly alternate ending
 
Additional Information

See also Trivia

  • The tambourine and cabasa sounds on this song are from the LinnDrum, not the LM-1 usually utilized by Prince.
  • On 12 May 1988, Prince was given an award for R&B/Bands: R&B Composition (for Sign O’ The Times and U Got The Look) during the same ceremony where Prince also received nine other awards: Rock/Individuals: Male; Rock/Recording: Mainstream and Rock/Composition: Mainstream (for Sign O’ The Times); R&B/Individuals: Male Vocalist; R&B/Individuals: Guitarist; R&B/Bands: Performing Band; R&B/Bands: Recording; Production/Movie/Theatrical (for Sign O’ The Times) and Production/Multi Media Scores.

References
Shy   < < < All Songs Unreleased Songs > > >   Silicon