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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