Prince - Sign O' The Times (1987) - The Facts You DIDN'T Know

[@melsmithmel]

The Ballad of Dorothy Parker..so unique and extraordinary songwriting. It's one of my favourite Prince songs ever!

[@ChrisCommisso]

Yes, yes! Agreed, Dorothy Parker, such an amazing Prince composition.

[@bhaddock9277]

Hi, yes it's a truly original song in many ways, even the production and recording is unique. It's a song that transcends "pop" music.

[@trentb1511]

Periodically, I still find myself humming that song....great work....the album is an absolute masterpiece!

[@dee1380]

dreamy..

[@joes9954]

What's equally amazing is that he recorded it using a defective mixing console. When he found this out he was still pleased enough with it he did not bother to re-record it.

[@JoyfulWAVE]

1987 i was 18 years old and i was lucky to see this concert. It was the best concert i have seen in my life. ❤☮☯❤☮☯❤

[@jeffreythompson1615]

I miss “old school “ album covers! They were so creative/artistic.

[@trentb1511]

Yeah, me too

[@ssjchixken5110]

Starfish and coffee is such a sweet song. Lol i remember Prince did a really cute version of the song when he made a guest appearance on the muppets show

[@bhaddock9277]

So funny to think of Prince on The Muppets, I respect him for that. At that time being on The Muppets must be akin to "being" on The Simpsons nowdays.

[@LGKids]

Ssj Chixken often slept on and I heard it at work one day, over the intercom! I was dancing in the aisle at work! #andjam! Peace!

[@fandabidozi3191]

I always found it melancholy and it does make me cry if I’m in that sort of mood. Funny how different songs can be interpreted from person to person. Heard Prince perform it at the O2 in London years ago and it was magical.

[@ericcampbell6370]

Sign 'O' The Times was like a Xmas tree. Each song was another awesome gift. To think that these 16 tracks only represent a small fraction of what he created in that period is simply mind-blowing. I've had a number of the unreleased tracks on bootleg for a long time and they're just as amazing. They deserve to finally be released to the general public.

[@daveray67]

Yes, each song was better than the last one as I went down the album.

[@troydavis705]

How can one man have so much vision and talent? RIP PRINCE.

[@trentb1511]

I hope they rerelease the "Sign o the times" movie to theaters. I saw it in a theater, when it first came out and was blown away. It was a masterpiece. Truly slept on....severely underrated.

[@princely54]

I saw it on one of the biggest and best screens in Los Angeles. There were MAYBE a dozen people in the theater, too! Played for one week and was gone!!! Great memory

[@trentb1511]

@@princely54 yeah, same here. I went to one of the nicest theaters in the suburbs of Atlanta, and saw it. The sound system, there was incredible! But there wasn't hardly anybody in the theater.

[@LGKids]

Trent B the movie is a adventure like no other! It’s a concert of all concerts! Peace!

[@daveray67]

Yes, & make it available on Blu Ray (or is it available? I may be mistaken on this.) I could listen to the SOTT movie version of “Forever In My Life”

[@daveray67]

& the title song opener on a loop!

[@dorianbishop6778]

The history of Adore. It was a hit here in Detroit before the album dropped. Thanks to his relationship with the Electrifying Mojo.

[@b.rodclark7349]

RIIIGHT! Thanks for that memory refreshment on that note!

[@likwidguns]

Mindblowing album. His masterpiece

[@timsawyer1026]

Much love fam, my fave Prince album. peace

[@n0kturna1]

I wrote an email to Susan Rogers and she confirmed the Prince Estate actually involved her as a consultant and part of the conversation in supervising the work on unreleased material up to 1987 so fingers crossed!

[@jovanreid6782]

For the love of all the purple people, email Susan Rogers again and tell her to tell the Prince Estate that the only proper Sign of the Times reissue is one that also officially releases The Dream Factory, Camille, and Crystal Ball albums in their originally intended forms, only remastered with the utmost attentiveness, thoughtfulness, love and care. Take it from a true lifelong # 1 "fam": to just slop together an assortment of unreleased songs from the '86-'87 era as bonus material would be utterly addleheaded on the Prince Estate's part, because the very backstory of Sign of the Times are born of those three unreleased yet legendary LPs. We're begging you, Susan! Sign of the Times is arguably the most magnificent masterpiece in Prince's catalog. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Susan do not let the Prince Estate- excuse my language- funk this up! 🤘

[@WordUnheard]

I love this album, and the title track is one of my favorite Prince songs. It's one of those classic songs that is just as relevant today as it was back then. If not more so.

[@Sortirai]

Parade and sign of the Times my favorites albums...

[@redrockballa]

my favorite era

[@doalwa]

The man was incredibly prolific. I’ve been a fan since The Gold Experience and still learn something new concerning his work every day, just incredible.

[@Fenster74]

His best era by far! The sheer volume and quality of his output of that time period is incredible. Including Madhouse and the albums he did for other artists.

[@carriebernhardt3989]

Thank you for these facts. I consider SOTT to be Prince's magnum opus. A brilliant album.

[@FrankLafone]

Starfish and Coffee is my favorite Prince song of all time.... and there's a LOT of great material to sort through to reach that conclusion. That's how good it is. 'Sign O' The Times' is in my Top 10 records of all time list. Hell, if I thought about it much, probably in my Top 5. Fantastic record. Any re-release/deluxe/remastered/whatever version is basically a money printing machine. I'll pay about anything you wanna ask for it! :)

[@jamestucker9408]

If there was only one Album left in this world Sign of The Times ooh yeah!!!

[@garfieldharrison510]

1987 was a turning point in my life. I went to Europe the first time. I saw the Sign O the Times concert or tour in Germany. Prince was in a good mood that evening. I will never forget it. That entire album accompanied me that year of 87. It was an indelible piece of work. Everyone around me seemed to affected by that album. Nice review your facts are intriguing.

[@molet8010]

Was "its gonna b a beautiful nite" really done live??"& if it's a "deluxe version" cummin out,which I'm sure a "dvd" will b included,u think that "live" version of "its gonna b a beautiful nite" will b included...?

[@darrylw9171]

Garfield Harrison I was also in Germany at the time...military...my wife was a singer at the time long story short we got to hang out with the band, as it turned out dancer Robin Power was a senior at curie performing arts high school in Chicago when my wife was a freshman there. That is still my favorite concert til this day.

[@tammyrogne1471]

1982-1987 My favorite time for Prince.

[@Outlaw2739]

More hits best album

[@mikedavidz6161]

You said. I agree with every word you said. There will never be another Prince in any way, shape form or fashion. Other artist will emerge and show their talent of course but not anything close to Prince. That man was unbelievably amazing. He still has me shaking my head in disbelief at the level of his talent.

[@oscarl.ramirez7355]

Thank you for the Upload of this Video.l

[@piercemybb]

Play In The Sunshine is the happiest Prince song ever. I love it

[@dominiquejones3805]

My favorite Prince album

[@marqosmarqos1201]

I loved this album so much I bought it three times over the years. Two casettes and one CD. RIP. Prince layed the soundtrack to my early life

[@DavidDiMuzio]

My favorite Prince album. Really excited to watch this! Here we go! :)

[@grantcanada1]

to hear that Play In the Sunshine was last addition to SOTT gives me relief - I never understood the song placed at Track 2 of the record.

[@stephenmacon4119]

Sign O’ the Times & Around the World in a Day, along with the 12” extended remixes from both albums, are tied for my favourite album. I appreciate the back stories you guys have done on all the other albums as well. #evolsidog 😎🤙

[@PharaohLawLess1]

Adore from the Sign of the Times album is my 2nd all time favorite Prince songs

[@steviecritiquenewby7874]

Forever in My Life that's my jam Slow Love also

[@LGKids]

Stevie Critique Newby really slept on, and I was so glad to play it on my college radio shows! Peace!

[@SupremeNerd]

My best friend Ricky Tovar gave me this album for my birthday when we were in 8th grade. to this day, this, along with Controversy and 1999 are by far, my favorite Prince albums of all time

[@deandrejonesakarogpurple2584]

I remember having a cassette tape of this album but also wanted this LP album. I dig it!

[@sirfriendzone1228]

Power Fantastic is my favorite Prince song ever.

[@billclark6688]

10:57 My cassette was clear plastic with white text and it came in a long box!

[@johnjames3286]

I remember the long box now you said that lol

[@dshawnmarshall3299]

I know purple rain was his mainstream LP But SIGN OF THE TIME was his Magnum opus hands down

[@tonydeltablues]

I'm shaking at the thought of a Sign O' The Times deluxe edition....good to see/hear a Violet Reality video after short while :-) Regards Tony

[@steviecritiquenewby7874]

This is my favorite Prince album also🙏🏿💜🎤🎸🎶

[@b.rodclark7349]

10-minute 'La La La, Hee Hee Hee' and 'Shockadelica' are my favorite b-sides...the latter was a dispute with Jesse Johnson who's second 1986 album was titled 'Shockadelica'. Most songs became future b-sides like 'Feel U Up' was a 1989 b-side to 'Partyman'. I would love to see a deluxe version of this album with everything intended before its actual release... and I'm on the edge of my seat for unknown facts of 'Lovesexy'!

[@fnkbss]

Thank you, the wait was worth it :). I'm looking forward to the lovesexy album especially... my favourite ❤

[@sydtv6464]

There is a rehearsal version with Eric Leeds solo on Strange Relationship. It is divine.

[@ericbryant386]

Forever in my life preformed in concert is a great song

[@jovanreid6782]

The only way to do a Sign of the Times reissue properly is to give us The Dream Factory, Camille, and Crystal Ball along with it, in their original, intended forms. If the estate were to do anything less than this, they will have sorely missed the mark, and will have been thoroughly feckless in the endeavor. I'd much rather them focus on reissuing Parade next, as they did a pretty good job with 1999- I feel like Parade they can handle... But I really doubt the estate at this juncture has the wherewithal or artistic sensitivity enough to do Sign of the Times (Prince's magnum opus imo) the justice it deserves.

[@peace2all353]

Sign of Times🎶🎤🎶my favorite as well💜☝💕💕

[@ErikaMcQueen89]

The deluxe is coming !

[@stookeyslaughter]

My favorite album by Prince.

[@alexjames7670]

My favorite album, too. Both as the released album and as the original triple LP Crystal Ball. Love Dream Factory too, Camille as well! As far as another video, how about covering the multiple configurations of the Dawn, Rave Unto the Joy Fantastic, and Graffiti Bridge?

[@gahlenfuller8008]

Sign O The Times is the best album of the 80's. In my opinion, better than Purple Rain and MJ's Thriller. SOTT's is incredible! Amazing songs with clever writing, mixed with iconic styles, that all seem to fit on the double album just right.

[@TheMuleFunk]

The soundtrack for my Senior Year in High School.

[@bootney66]

A 10 disc release with a live recording and a DVD would be pretty expensive....and I’ll buy it as soon as it comes out 😄

[@DarthMacchio]

I love the sharp turn that Prince took with SOTT. It ushered in my favorite era of his (the late 80' and early 90's). What an incredible creative streak for him.

[@Maximillian1024]

SThis is one of my all time favorites albums as well. Love the Sign of the Times Concert concept movie, especially the live versions of "Housequake" , Hot Thing 🔥, If I was your Girlfriend , Slow love and The Cross. It's gonna be a Beautiful Night is a good one too. Love this video series guys. Keep them coming.

[@Mazito]

This is my favorite Prince album. Thanks for the video!

[@adonistv15cantu]

Even though I thought picking my favorite Prince album, it can only go to Sign O the Times It’s one of my favorite albums of all time, period.

[@jacoblineberger5100]

With so much good music and so many great albums it is cery hard to choose a favorite. That being said, Sign O’ The Times is in my top 3. So happy to see you all doing another video. Really keeping my fingers crossed for a deluxe release of this amazing album. Thank you for doing what you do. You all are amazing.

[@Spiderific]

Love these videos going in depth to all the albums

[@jcw91371]

It wasn't until I bought my first Wendy and Lisa record that I fully understood how absolutely immeasurable their influence was on Revolution-era Prince.

[@r7coo]

Jason Williams Prince's music was never anywhere near as good, post Revolution.

[@Modernart8]

Was definitely in his rawest and creative form!~ My Favorite Album as well!~

[@catchybadsongs]

Excellent! I learned a lot. I will watching this a few times to absorb it all fully.

[@odindelosreyes6105]

I am a huge Prince Fan! Thank you for creating this fascinating Princeomentary! I agree with you. This is when Prince was at his most creative and at the top of his game! I would love to watch a video revealing unknown facts about the Sign of the Times feature film and concert tour! I can’t tell you how many times I watched that film. Stories from the tour must be mind blowing.

[@christophertracy383]

Sign O the Times is my favorite Prince album of all time. So many great songs, Dream Factory, Crystal Ball, Camille wow he was on 🔥 fire! All my Dreams most beloved song from no album.

[@fredrickbledsoe8051]

My favorite of all times for real

[@dannytickner3040]

Thanks for Another great video. My all time favourite album. As you said I hope the estate and WB do a deluxe edition properly. There is so much to add that still hasn’t been released. 💜

[@josephdevlin7528]

Enlightening. It is my favourite Prince album too. A terrific piece. Thank you.

[@butlerjames1974]

The greatest masterpiece of his career!

[@mrsain19]

love ALL of Prince's albums. ALL......even the 'bad' ones. but this one is the undisputed favorite. its just way too good.

[@treydonan]

I agree 💯 best PRiNCE Album, maybe you all can touch on the Madhouse sessions, the Flesh, Jill Jones, and The Family. I know so much to take in. But, if you are a major Prince fan, it comes with the territory.💜💜💜

[@peggylittledragon7734]

My favorite song!

[@bhaddock9277]

Some of my favourite Prince songs on this album. Thanks for your vid on this album.

[@sirfriendzone1228]

Would like a video on the Madhouse albums and The Family sessions which led into the Madhouse albums. Eric Leeds once mentioned that Yes and Susannah's Pajamas were basically the prototypes for the Madhouse sessions.

[@LG-kx8xl]

Prince was truly an exquisite/complex/fascinating man w/visions far beyond our dreams. Great video! PRINCELUV4EVER💜*I'd love to hear the extended version of Dorothy Parker. Fact: Dorothy died on Prince's 6th birthday.

[@IrnBruNYC]

The SOTT tour rehearsals recorded at Paisley Park are absolutely amazing. I hope the estate will release them some day.

[@armandovenditti4523]

I have pre-ordered my copy of the SOTT box set. 60 unreleased tracks. 2 full concerts. all on 9 discs.

[@ottot3221]

Sign O' The Times in itself is already an amazing double album, but a super deluxe that should include everything, including the kitchen sink, would be amazing.

[@dragonballz4998]

Question... In the song sign o times it has the lyric "hurricane anne ripped the ceiling off a church and killed everyone in sight" how did Prince know this? Hurricane anne didn't happen until Jan 5th 1988. The song was recorded in 1986 and released in Feb 1987. Hmmm

[@DanielGoldMcduckRose]

This ablum really shows the mix of all genres and that's why It's his best also hope for the concert film

[@rfk76]

I absolutely love those videos! Thanks for making them. Cheers!

[@aloneandi]

Nice job!

[@carolincas]

this is my favorite album of his too. thank you so much for doing these.

[@KBLovesMovies]

Having recently received the SOTT Super Deluxe for the holidays, I went back to watch this video. Good anticipation call on the size and number of extra discs for this reissue masterpiece. Question: from what you anticipated, are you satisfied with the SOTT Super Deluxe release?

[@avace917]

Great video. This is my favorite album by Prince and If I Was Your Girlfriend us my favorite song by ANYONE. One thing I found interesting that came be seen in the liner notes is that I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man was written in 1977. 10 years prior to the album's release. I wonder if there's any demo(s) of that song lying around. 🤔🤔🤔

[@baimun]

It’s interesting to go back and listen to this video AFTER receiving my Deluxe Reissue Boxed set with the 60+ unreleased tracks and live concert DVD. I hope you were as overjoyed as I was when it was confirmed and eventually arrived!!! Going to look through the book and listen to it more tonight and really soak in this amazing time in our favorite artist’s recording era.

[@IgnorancEnArrogance]

It is absolutely staggering the amount of material Prince wrote and recorded between 1986 and 1988. If you count all of the bootleg materials, the then unreleased Black Album, all the extra ideas for Crystal Ball that weren't to see the light of day until a decade later, he wrote about 7 albums worth of material in 2 years, and most of it was amazing. He scrapped the Black Album and pumped out Lovesexy as a replacement just on the fly just a couple months later like it was nothing! In some ways, his incredibly prolific nature would come back to hurt him in the 90's and 2000's. He just made music too fast and the public and record companies couldn't keep up with him. It's only until this past decade that the masses have been able to go back in listen to all the amazing music he made. SIgn O' The Times would be as popular and revered as Purple Rain is if he chose to promote and tour the album in the states.

[@mrsain19]

Camille was a very dark and borderline evil character...Prince knew it…..and I loved it. WB didn't wanna touch it because of that. lol Prince knew that as well. To be a fly on the wall when Camille appeared......haunting.

[@barbdavis6838]

Sorry y'all I'm a bit behind. Love the video's as alway's. Thank's so very much for all that y'all do for us. 🕊💜💜💜💜🕊

[@sirellis8517]

OMG a Deluxe??? oh my heart.. My HEART.. yes yes yes yes yes.. PLEASE YES...

[@Mountprospect1]

great video man! my fav prince album.... hands down. Never heard of Wally either so just checked it out..... Mind blowing!

[@laurisaarinen1126]

It's funny to watch this after the deluxe release came true! But what i'm just astounded by is how you're saying there could have been 10 (!!!) cd's worth of material... Or did you mean on vinyl? Because the 3 vault discs are so much stuff to go through already... And they're AMAZING. Thank God this release happened!

[@blachubear]

When there was rumors that "Sign Of The Times" might be the next deluxe release box set, I said the same thing that you suggested, put out "Dream Factory", the original "Crystal Ball" & "Camelle" along with other unreleased songs plus the concert film & videos from that era. I hope the Prince's estate is listening.

[@fedorable1969]

This was WONDERFUL.

[@Mayazdad]

EPIC album & creative time period for Prince. I look 4ward 2 a deluxe release & a DVD of the "Sign 'O' the Times" motion picture!!

[@MrFaDookie]

Prolly my fav 2......

[@earleonethomasiini9749]

They gotta re-release "PARADE", with "Others here with us", "all my dreams" and alternate versions.

[@aaronscott5882]

Thank you for another wonderfully informative video!

[@graysonbillings6400]

i was 17 when this came out. i believe we had a late winter storm, and i walked 4 miles in the snow to get it. late March i believe. i listened to it so much that the cassette broke. it was still within reasonable time from when i bought it, less than a week, i walked another 4 miles back to the mall to get a new cassette with the receipt...

[@mellodee123]

BY FAR......SIGN O THE TIMES IS MY FAVORITE ALBUM AS WELL!!!

[@TheElectricVibe]

You got it right! This is the best album indeed.

[@jamesgrobertson8024]

Cheers guys well done very informative

[@johnjames3286]

Back in 1986 a friend of mine sent me a cassette, it was supposedly the new Prince album...Camille. Camille was a completed project so near release that staff from Paisley Park were able to bootleg the actual album and get it out there. My biggest regret is that I don't have the cassette anymore, made all the more special because the remaining space on the cassette had a superb radio interview with Prince on it