SIGN “☮” THE TIMES MESSED WITH MY MIND -THE GREATEST PRINCE ALBUM

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I am often asked what is the best Prince album of all time. Out of  all of his albums without pause or hesitation my reply is SIGN “☮” THE TIMES which was released March 31, 1987. The album yielded three top ten hits, the most from Prince since 1984. Though its sales were modest the album was universally applauded by critics and has been cited as his greatest work. For me the work is a musical kaleidoscope of ideas. The album is a representation of all the musical ideas he has explored in the past.

  • Rock -Play in The Sunshine and The Cross
  • Pop- U Got the Look
  • Funk -Housequake and Hot Thing
  • Ballads -Adore and Slow Love
  • Songs only Prince can do -The Ballad of Dorothy Parker,  Starfish and Coffee

The album also found Prince writing more mature and sophisticated views on love and relationships (If I Was Your Girlfriend and Forever in My Life) The title track found him addressing social issues of 1987 which was out of the norm for him.

Although it contains 16 songs Prince could have symbolically dropped the mic after “side one”. The songs contained on that portion Sign O’ The Times, Play In The Sunshine, Housequake, and The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker cover more musical ground than most cover in their entire career. Originally slated to be a triple album entitled Crystal Ball, his label at the time did not think it was a good idea to release that much music. This was due to the lukewarm response to his previous album (Parade) and movie (UNDER THE CHERRY MOON). Prince reluctantly removed several tracks and it was released in its current state. Prince lost interest in the project and is the origin for his dispute with his label that would carry on thru the 90’s. But the sixteen  of twenty-two songs that remain are some of the finest tracks of his career.

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Sign ‘O’ The Times-The arrangement on the track is sparse reminiscent of the classic When Doves Cry and is more was noticeably bluesier and more downbeat any of Prince’s previous singles. Prince addresses social events and issues such as AIDS, gang violence, drug abuse, and the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. The sparseness of the music on the songs calls attention of the listener to the lyrics. At the time of its release, it was the most socially aware song he had written.

Play In The Sunshine— This track finds Prince singing about having fun until the end of time a similar theme to 1999. It also has a cleverly disguised dig at Morris Day with the lines “the color green will make your best friends leave ya, it will make them do the walk but that’s cool”.  I refer to this song as the “mad scientist” song on the album. After all these years it still amazes me that this is only one person on this track. Adding to the live band feel of the song is the fact that Prince calls for solos by the non-existent band. Of  all the songs on the album this is the best example of his one man band genius.

Housequake-“Shut up already…DAMN!” And so begins not only the funkiest songs on the album but one of the funkiest in his catalog. At first listen, Prince’s voice sounds like he has just ingested helium but it is the first appearance of his alter-ego Camille. This is the party track of the album and still is performed live today.   With its driving horns provided by Eric Leeds and Atlanta Bliss compliment by Prince on the bass, if this song does make you groove then you may want to check your pulse.  By the end of the song when he says “You can’t follow it we got the baddest jam in the land”, you believe him.

The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker-Prince often writes songs that have a stream of conscience feel to them and this is a prime example. The song features no chorus just verses  from beginning to end. Musically the song sounds like a demo featuring only an intricate drum programming sequence with keyboards on top. These are complimented  by a throbbing bass line that flows throughout the track. The lyrics are quirky with lines such as “My pants were  wet, they came off, but she didn’t see the movie cause she hadn’t read the book first.” I won’t even begin to try to analyze the lyrics, they could mean something or nothing at all. Who knows?  Sonically the sound is somewhat muted on the song because according to PrinceValut.com “the console for the newly built home studio arrived from Los Angeles as a skeleton, with the wires hanging out and all the parts in boxes. Everything was hooked up, but there was never any music run  through the console, before recording commenced. While installing there was a loss of power in the house. The console had one power supply for the positive side and another for the negative side, and unbeknown to technician Susan Rogers one of the power supplies didn’t come back up. Rogers noticed the music sounding flat, but didn’t want to ask Prince to stop recording so things could be checked out. Not until after the day long recording session Rogers found out what the problem was. However Prince professed to like the recording” It is one of a few happy accidents that occur on this album.

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 It-This is Prince’s ode to his libido. It can be viewed as a musical sexual confession with the lines” I think about IT baby all the time IT feels so good IT must be a crime I want to do IT baby every day, in a bed, on the stairs, anywhere” He even manages to mix the sexual with the spiritual with the line “Cause when we do IT girl, IT’s so divine” It (no pun intended) seems like a very easy  track for him to write. Musically, this is one of the many songs on the album that has a demo-like quality to it. Those that were lucky enough to witness the Parade tour from the year before will recognize the drumbeat that was used for When Doves Cry. Not much happens in this song and it goes on a little long for my tastes.

Starfish And Coffee-This odd track is a fan favorite with its message of believing in the impossible by “If you set your mind free, baby Maybe you’d understand” It’s a simple song with a deep message clocking in at a mere two minutes and fifty seconds, Prince is able to hammer his point home without going over the top. Once again this is a sparse track consisting of a drum beat and Prince piano playing. The song is often played during piano medley segments during his shows

Slow Love-Every great album has a weak track and for me this song is the weakest on the album. It’s not a bad song just compared to the other ballads on the album it is the weaker of the bunch. Musically the song is well produced and I can never dislike a song that features Eric Leeds and Atlanta Bliss on horns

Hot Thing-If Housequake is the funkiest song on the album this one comes a very close second. With its thumping beat and synth lead line hook this is another song that is guaranteed to move your feet. The song finds Prince pursuing a “Hot Thing” who is “barely 21” and the lyrics much like the music is sparse. The second half of the song becomes a funk work out with Eric Leeds making like Maceo Parker blowing over Prince’s funky groove. This is another song that is still  performed although it’s during his controversial “sampler set”.

Forever In My Life– This song is Prince at his most mature regarding love in devotion.  Yet again he is singing over a spare arrangement of a simple drumbeat. By the time the first verse is over  “There comes a time in everyman’s life when he gets tired of fooling around. Juggling hearts is  a three ring circus. Someday it will drive a body down to the ground. I never imagined that love would rain on me and make me want to settle down,” you are hooked. This is another track that has a happy accident. According to PrinceVault.com “the background vocals unusually precede the lead vocals (rather than following them in the traditional manner) – this was created purely by accident as engineer Susan Rogers played back the layered vocals with incorrect intervals. Prince liked what he heard, and kept this arrangement. I can’t imagine the song being presented in the correct way. This is also the most frustrating song on the album. Just as the songs appears to be going up another notch by Prince adding an acoustic guitar to the proceedings the song fades out. No extended version exists.

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U Got The Look– This song has hit written all over it. Back then Prince could do hits in his sleep and this is probably the most well-known song from this collection. The last song written for the album it also is one of the few songs on the album that can fall into the pop/rock category. It also marks the return of the Camille persona on lead vocals. The song is also of note due the appearance of pop star Sheena Easton. In a 2012 interview, Easton discussed the recording process of the song:”U Got The Look was a track he’d basically finished for himself. It was just a Prince track. He said, ‘Do you want to just come in and sing some backup vocals on the chorus?’ So I went into the studio, and because I didn’t know I was singing against him… I was all over the place – and he said he kind of liked that, so he expanded it into a duet.”

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If I Was Your Girlfriend-This is probably one of the best songs on the album and at the same time worst choice for a single. In 1987 the general public was not ready for a song by Prince entitled “If I Was Your Girlfriend”.  Being the second single released the public did not quite know how to digest the Camille vocal that is used for the track since it could be misconstrued as him singing as a girl. Once again the arrangement is sparse consisting bass and drum machine pattern which are punctuated by a keyboard lead line. This effect makes the lyrics stand out even more. Had audiences paused to listen to the lyrics the would have found the song he sang is actually presented from a male perspective to a woman and explores the possibilities of a more intimate relationship if he were his lover’s platonic girlfriend and asks if she would open up to him more if he was a female friend rather than her actual boyfriend. That’s deep.

Strange Relationship-This song marks the final appearance of the Camille vocal on the album. The track has a long history dating back to its origin in 1982. Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman did some work on the song in 1985 but once the Revolution disbanded in 1986 he removed most of their input. As the title suggests the song deals with a “strange relationship “between a man and a woman.  ”I guess you know me well, I don’t like winter but I seem to get a kick out of doing you cold Oh, what the hell, you always surrender. What’s this strange relationship that we hold on to?” he asks. The music and lyrics have separate tones which add to the charm of the song. The music is upbeat juxtaposed with the downbeat nature of the lyrics. The demo trend continues with the music basically being a drumbeat and a synch keyboard leadline. It’s a good song  and could have been released as a single.

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I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man-Prince has some very good pop songs in his catalog and this song is one of his best. Like the previous track the song origins date back to 1982.  In common with the previous track is the mixture of depressing lyrics and upbeat music. The lyrics “It was only last June when her old man ran away She couldn’t stop crying cause she knew he was gone to stay” is not exactly a happy notion being conveyed but in typical Prince fashion he switches to tone with the chorus to being more upbeat albeit selfish. “And I said, baby don’t waste your time I know what’s on your mind I may be qualified for a one night stand But I could never take the place of your man”; that sounds like to Prince I know. The highlight of the song is the extended bluesy breakdown section that concludes the song. There is no reason for the portion to exist but at the same time I cannot imagine the song without it. As the single release does not include this portion the general public is probably unaware of its existence. Running about three minutes Prince’s subdued bluesy guitar playing is featured throughout this portion of the song. In live performances Prince is able to stretch out his solo though it’s more energetic than presented on the album.

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The Cross—At the time this song was the most spiritual song Prince had placed on an album. The song God is also a good example but that was a B-side to the Purple Rain single and did not appear on any album at the time.  This track is divided into two portions. The first has Prince singing over a simple acoustic guitar with spiritual lyrics such as “Black day, stormy night no love, no hope in sight. Don’t cry, He is coming don’t die without knowing the Cross As the song builds from verse to verse additional guitar and drums are added to the mix. When the song reaches its midpoint the tempo builds and becomes what can only be described as Christian Rock. In the first half Prince’s singing is very subdued with an almost has a whisper like quality. However the second half finds Prince singing in a more passionate tone matching the intensity of the music. The lyrics are the same in both portions of the song and only the delivery of those lyrics are different. It’s a simple song with a powerful message. When Prince became a Jehovah’s Witness he began to change the lyrics to many of his songs when performing them live. This song became “The Christ” because of the belief that Jesus dies on a staruos and not a cross.

It’s Gonna Be A Beautiful Night-On a nostalgic level this song is of note because it is the Last recording on an album with Prince’s legendary backing band The Revolution. This is also based on live recording and though three songs on the Purple Rain album were live recordings, this track has more of a live feel with the presence of crowd noise and call and response with the audience. The basis for the track was recorded live on August 25th 1986 in Paris during a show on the Parade Tour. The song is heavily overdubbed and even features a rap by Sheila E., the “transmississippirap” which includes Edward Lear’s “The Table And The Chair” poem. Prince recorded Sheila E. reading it over the phone from the other side of the Mississippi River hence the name. At nine minutes it is the longest song on the album although there is nothing remotely remarkable about it. Its inclusion is somewhat odd since it does have the disbanded Revolution it seems out of place. However it is a document of what the Revolution sound was like in 1986 which unlike the 1984 Purple Rain tour with its emphasis on rock, the 86 sound was more horn based borrowing elements from James Brown and having a loose improv vibe to it. The tempo of the song is the same throughout and it does sound as if it is being made up on the spot. It’s an unremarkable but fun track.

Adore– Ask any Prince fan to name Prince’s finest ballad and this song will be on the short list. For me it is his finest ballad and is a perfect close to the album. In the albums original configuration, the previous track closed the proceeding but this is the better choice of the two. As with a Forever In My Life and If I Was Your Girlfriend, this song also finds Prince writing from a more mature frame of mind regarding relationships.  “Until the end of time I’ll be there for you You own my heart and mind I truly adore you If God one day stroke me blind Your beauty I’d still see Love is to weak to define just what you mean to me” are the opening lines and chorus to the song. Remember just two albums prior he was singing about an encounter with a girl named Nikki who he me in a hotel lobby. I believe the song has earned its place as  not only a bedroom jam but also a declaration of love as well. On a personal note, this track was very close to being used as the first dance at my wedding but opted out due to the use of the f-word, though it is barely audible.  The track also has one of my favorite Prince moments on record of all time. As he is declaring his love he sings to his woman “This condition I got is crucial, crucial baby. You could say that I’m a terminal case you could burn up my clothes,  smash up my ride” and then in a clever aside he says “well maybe not the ride” It makes me laugh every time I hear it. It’s a brilliant moment in a brilliant song. Pardon the pun but I truly adore this song as do many others.

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 Although the album is in dire need of a remaster, for me this is Prince’s crowning achievement; the album by which all of his other albums are to be judged. Though this album never reached the heights and success of Purple Rain this is my go to album any day of the week and in my opinion the best Prince album of all time. In Prince’s words from Housequake, “U can’t follow it!”

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Essential Tracks:
Play In The Sunshine
Housequake
Forever In My Life
If I Was Your Girlfriend
Adore

Singles:
Sign O’ The Times
Released: February 18, 1987
If I Was Your Girlfriend
Released: May 6, 1987
U Got The Look
Released: July 14, 1987
I Could Never Take the Place Of Your Man
Released: November 3, 1987

The album reached #6 on the US Billboard 200 Char  and #4 on the US Billboard R&B Albums Chart

1 comment

  • I’m glad to see that you included If I Was Your Girlfriend as one of the “essential tracks”. I remember being a teenager when this album dropped and up until that point I was always looking for “the jam” on each of his albums, fast forwarding through much of the material that didn’t fit this description. Then came this song… The spoken word in Camille’s voice towards the end left me with more questions than answers and admittedly, I wouldn’t bump this one with any of my boys at the time but at this juncture, I took notice of the depth to Prince’s musical mind and made the conscious decision to be a dedicated fan, eagerly exploring and examining each creation with childlike wonder. That sentiment stays with me to this day, as I often listen with new ears to various works that I might not have previously invested in. The man was/is truly before his time. Thanks for the read, funk brother.