Burning The Ground Exclusive
Today, we honor Minneapolis—the music, the community, and the lives impacted by violence. Prince’s “Sign ☮ The Times” remains a document of witness, not spectacle. This is a tribute.
Released in 1987 and recorded in Minneapolis, “Sign ☮ The Times” is one of Prince’s most direct and uncompromising works. Stripped down to a stark drum machine pattern and spoken delivery, the song removes any barrier between artist and reality. There is no metaphor to decode, no dramatic crescendo—only observation.
Prince opens with a litany of crises: violence, addiction, disease, environmental collapse. These are not abstract concepts but lived conditions, delivered calmly, almost matter-of-factly. That restraint is what gives the song its weight. Sign ☮ The Times doesn’t sensationalize suffering—it documents it.
The record is inseparable from its place of origin. Minneapolis wasn’t just where Prince lived or recorded; it was the center of an independent creative universe he built on his own terms. Studios, musicians, clubs, and communities flourished there outside the usual industry pipelines. That spirit of autonomy and clarity runs through this track. It speaks plainly, without performance or posturing.
Within the context of 12″ culture and club music, Sign ☮ The Times stands apart. At a time when extended mixes often leaned toward escapism, Prince chose confrontation through simplicity. Even in its various edits and remixes, the song never loses its tension or intent. This is dance-era music that demands attention before movement.
Nearly four decades later, the song remains painfully relevant. Violence still shapes headlines. Communities still grieve. Minneapolis continues to be a city defined not only by tragedy, but by deep cultural impact and creative legacy. Prince held those truths together, refusing to let one erase the other.
Sign ☮ The Times is not an argument. It is not a slogan. It is a record of its moment—and, uncomfortably, of ours. Posting it today is an act of remembrance, respect, and acknowledgment.
This is Minneapolis speaking—then and now..
SIDE A:
Sign ☮ The Times (LP Version) 4:57
SIDE B:
La, La, La, He, He, Hee (Highly Explosive) 10:46
Lyrics By [Co-Written] – Sheena Easton
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart | Peak Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | #3 | 1987 |
| US Billboard Hot Black Singles | #1 | 1987 |
| UK Singles | #10 | 1987 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM) | #10 | 1987 |
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | #29 | 1987 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Paisley Park – 9 20648-0 A, Paisley Park – 0-20648
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, SRC Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: Rock, Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Minneapolis Sound, Funk, Pop Rock
CREDITS:
- Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Performer – Prince
NOTES:
Original version of ‘Sign “☮” The Times’ on the 4th-coming double album Sign “O” The Times available on the Paisley Park LP, cassette and compact disc (1/4/2-25577)
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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Yet another memory of this time was when the single hit the stores and we were like does Prince have boobs? 😆 of course later we found out it was Cat Glover made up to look like Prince in drag.
Speaking of Cat, she died awhile back. It would be wonderful if her single (she did with Bomb the Bass producing) “Catwoman,” ever graced these pages!
A wonderful song in a lovely vinyl rip, thank you so very much! May Prince rest in power.
Prince – “Sign o’ the Times”, Theme: A Funky Newscast While the world danced, Prince decided to write about: 1. The AIDS epidemic (“a big disease with a little name”). 2. The drug crisis (crack). 3. Poverty and gangs. 4. The Challenger space shuttle disaster. He managed to make a social protest song simultaneously the coolest track in the club.
Rubén, this is such a sharp breakdown. Prince really did turn the headlines of the mid‑80s into something that felt like a broadcast from the heart — stark truths wrapped in a groove you couldn’t ignore. Only he could take subjects that heavy and still create a track that lit up the clubs while making people think. I’m grateful you laid it out so clearly. 💜
Great pick Paul. Seeing this makes me wish Prince was still with us, what would he be saying now? It just underscores how rudderless our society is now, stuck in a soulless “greed is good” race to the lowest common denominator, where value is only measured in money and people are just collateral damage. Back to the music, Prince was on a creative high, much like Bowie in the 70’s I think at this point Prince had more ideas than time, I can imagine every waking hour being a transcription session of this ideas into the material world, and I… Read more »
Joey, I really appreciate everything you’ve shared here. I can relate to that same ache of wondering what Prince would think of the world right now. He had a remarkable ability to cut through the noise and articulate the truth with both courage and compassion. It’s hard not to feel the drift you’re describing, but voices like his remind us of what depth and intention can look like. Musically, you’re absolutely right: this was one of those rare moments when ideas were coming faster than any one person could possibly capture. The comparison to Bowie is perfect—his feverish, restless creativity… Read more »
Coincidentally, January 28 marks the 40th anniversary of the Space Shuttle accident. Did he sing “everybody still wants to fly” because he believed humanity still held forward-looking dreams about space, or because he thought space exploration symbolized the expression of an endless desire for conquest? I want to listen to this song again and imagine his deeper meaning. Thanks to Paul for giving me this opportunity.
Addendum: I extend my deepest condolences to the family of the deceased in Minneapolis.
Thank you for saying that, hato. In moments like this, it’s important to pause and hold space for the people directly affected. My heart goes out to the families as well. Music can help us reflect, but it’s the human lives behind these events that matter most. ❤️
What a powerful connection to make. That line has always carried so much weight, but hearing it on the anniversary of the Challenger tragedy gives it an even deeper resonance. Prince had a way of writing phrases that could hold multiple truths at once — hope, ambition, caution, even critique. Whether he meant humanity’s drive to dream bigger or our tendency to push forward without fully reckoning with the cost, the beauty is that the song invites us to sit with those questions. I’m really glad this post gave you a moment to revisit it with fresh ears.
Timely and timeless and meaningful, thank you Dj Paul!
Such a wonderful song… smooth beats, smooth cadence, and smooth lyrics. And it isn’t even in my top 10 favorite Prince tracks!
Great single, but I have to say, what a terrible way to start off Beat Street week 3 🙂
JP, thank you — that means a lot. ‘Sign O’ The Times’ really is one of those rare tracks that manages to be smooth, soulful, and heavy all at once. Prince had a way of making the truth sound beautiful. And yes, I know… dropping this in the middle of Beat Street Week 3 is about as far from electro‑breaks as you can get. Consider it a little detour of the heart before we get the linoleum back out. Appreciate you being along for the ride.
Love seeing this. I’m a Prince fanatic so I have the original vinyl of this – and almost all of his singles and 12″ releases, but what I don’t have is a needle-drop digital of it … thank you so much! Beyond that, there is the current, historical moment we are going through … and it pains me to no end what the feds are doing to the people of Minneapolis – and all of us – but especially the two innocent American citizens they have killed, and so much more. We have a long way to go as a… Read more »
Grant, I really appreciate you sharing all of this. As a fellow Prince devotee, it means a lot to hear that this needle‑drop fills a gap even in a collection as deep as yours. That’s exactly why I love doing these transfers — keeping the music alive in the form it was first heard. What you said about the moment we’re living through carries real weight. It’s heartbreaking to see so much pain and turmoil, especially in a city tied so closely to Prince’s legacy and to so many of our own memories. I share your hope that we can… Read more »
This was Prince at his best. I imagine he would perform this song right now in the middle of Minneapolis to bring the community together! It’s sad to watch history repeat itself right in front of our eyes! The timing of your selection is impeccable!
Axel, thank you for this. Prince had a way of speaking directly to the moment, and you’re right — if he were here, I can imagine him standing right in the heart of Minneapolis with this song as a kind of beacon. It’s heartbreaking to see the same cycles repeating, but music like this helps us hold the truth and each other a little closer. I’m grateful the timing resonated with you.
Honoring Minneapolis also means being honest about what it needs to heal. The music and culture matter, and so does accountability. When those who break the law are addressed appropriately, communities are better able to grieve, rebuild, and move forward toward stability and public safety.
Mark, thank you for putting that so clearly and compassionately. Honoring a place we love means celebrating its culture while also being honest about the work still ahead. Accountability and healing really do go hand in hand, and communities deserve both. I appreciate you adding that perspective to the conversation — it matters. ❤️
Dear Paul,
I love that heart of yours! You have such a touch when it comes to selecting the right record at the right moment. Thank you for posting this tribute to Minneapolis. We all feel a special kinship/love/support to the city and its people in what they’re going through. Dance music can be always something more than escapism only. Prince was a marvelous soul who could make one think about a gamut of things! This song really has quite the message. I really can’t thank you enough for this heartfelt post!
Jeff
Jeff, your words mean so much. Some records carry a weight that goes far beyond the dancefloor, and this one has always felt like a moment of truth from Prince — honest, raw, and still reaching out decades later. Sharing it today felt right, not just as a song but as a gesture toward a city so many of us feel connected to in different ways. I’m grateful it resonated with you the way it did. Thank you for always bringing such heart and reflection to these posts. ❤️
Peak Prince for me. I still remember when this was released… absolutely haunting then and even more so now. Shows prophecy is being filled our eyes. Bought the 7”, the cassette maxi-single, the 12”, the album on vinyl and CD, the VHS… went to see the film at the IMAX last year. Still remember my girlfriend (when I was 18) dancing to this at a club. Or the MTV music awards performance? Mind blowing. People can talk about Purple Rain being his best ever all they want, and it’s epic, not saying it isn’t, but for me, this is the… Read more »
“ING, what a beautiful reflection. ‘Sign O’ The Times’ hits on a level that only deepens with the years — haunting, prophetic, and somehow still full of light. I love hearing how woven this album is into your own memories, from collecting every format to that club moment with your girlfriend to seeing it on the IMAX screen. That MTV performance still gives me chills too. I agree completely: Purple Rain may be the legend, but this is the masterpiece. The Super Deluxe set is a treasure chest, and that Pettibone mix is such a wild surprise. Thank you for… Read more »
ING,
Beautifully put!! I appreciate your passion! Just awesome!!
Have a nice day!
Jeff
Can you ever really get enough of Prince?? Short answer… no….
I agree 🙂