BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1983
“Sign of the Times” is a song by English pop/new wave band The Belle Stars, released as the lead single from the band’s only self-titled studio album. The single was the fourth single from their only album, and their seventh single overall. “Sign of the Times” was the band’s first single that was an original song since 1981’s Another Latin Love Song. Its lyrics describe the band explaining how they feel their lover is unfaithful of their love, hence the lyric “You say you love me, but want success.” The single was the band’s first to make it into the top 10, reaching #3 in the UK singles chart. In the US “Sign Of The Times” debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on May 7, 1983 peaking at #75 while on the dance chart the single peaked at #43.
SIDE A:
Sign Of The Times (Remixed Extended 12″ Version) 5:39
Engineer – Julian Mendelsohn, Pete Hammond, Phil Chapman, Phil Harding
Mixed By – Nigel Green
Producer – Pete Collins*
SIDE B:
Madness 3:18
Engineer, Producer – Brian Tench
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Sign Of The Times | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #75 |
| 1983 | Sign Of The Times | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #43 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Warner Bros. Records – 0-29657
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Maxi-Single, 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Written-By – Hirst*, Matthias*, Parsons*, Shone*, Joyce*, Owen*, Barker*
NOTES:
From the LP “THE BELLE STARS”
Find the 12″ On DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removeal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Thank you Paul. I remember that 1 or 2 of the members became involved in a project called Dance Like A Mother with a song called You Ain’t So Tough. If you can you should check it out. Cheers from Oz.
Always loved this tune so I’m thrilled to have it in a BTG rip! One question, Paul…in the song description you said this was the lead single from the album (which I thought meant first single) but then after that it says this was the 4th single. I’m a bit confused! Anyway, massive thanks for this 🙂
Thank you thank you!
This has been on many compilations, but I love that you still make it available for all the 12″ collectors out there. 🙂
If anyone is curious, it’s been on e.g.:
* Extended 80s – The Definitive 12″ Collection
* 12″/80s Pop
* I Love Disco Running 80
* The Art Of The 12″ Volume Three (A Soundtrack For Living)
* Maxi Singles 80 Volume 2
* Dance Classics Pop Edition Vol. 7
Do you know 80s Romance by them? It’s such a sweet song, so Bananarama, but didn’t really do anything chartwise. I only know it from the compilations they’ve put out.
Has got a really sweet video too, typical 80s concept of ‘video within a video’ – I love it.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t5BubFoDDWc
Thanks Paul. I could easily manage a Belle Stars week. 🙂
would love to do that for yaou Jermajesty but this is all I have for now 🙂
By all accounts, a really great uplifting track and another superb rip Paul!
Thanks.. 🙂
you’re welcome Ex15 🙂
Dave is right on Excellent!! Even my heavy metal friend wanted to hear this excellent track when we would go out!! GreatTrack again Paul!!
Thank you Magnus 🙂
Excellent! What a blast from the past!
Thanks Dave!
Thanks Paul for another single by this group.
Loved the last one you posted by them 🙂
you’re welcome Junior 🙂
Thanks, i really love this track 🙂
you’re very welcome Patric 🙂
Thanks Paul. Your vinyl rip of this is better sounding than the 12″ on cd.
Thank you Omar 🙂
Awesome. Many thanks, Paul
you’re welcome Neil 🙂
Fun song – thank you for the post! 🙂
you’re welcome Woz 🙂
I’m thrilled to have this Paul from you. Always a cool song, but what makes it such an awesome download, is because available versions have been sub-par. You do mighty fine work my friend. Thanks immensely.
Jeff
Thank you Jeff 🙂
What previous versions have been of questionable quality? CD re-issues? Poor vinyl rips? Brick-walled?
Hi NKelly,
I guess I should have been more specific. What I meant is that I have heard by reading on line, that previous releases of this song were sub-par. Paul is almost fanatical in his quality pursuit of the best vinyl rips he does, so that was why I made the comment. My ears are not as good as so many others who contribute to this blog. But our DjPaulT is the absolute genius when it comes to offering the highest sound perfection of classic 12-inch gems.
Jeff
I can comment on this one… I got an I-tunes download of a Belle Stars collection (including some 12″ mixes) the sound quality is very variable. In particular the 12″ of Sign of the Times featured in the collection was a vinyl rip, the vinyl sounds very well played & deteriorated. On top of that he loudness was WAY TOO MUCH ie: too much bass injected & the drum thumps distort. Paul’s rip here is superior in comparison.
Thanks guys. Yes was just wondering about what’s out there quality wise. I am quite aware that’s Paul’s Rips are always better than everyone else’s! In a few years time this site will be the saviour of music i look forward to each and every new posting and when it’s something i really need i am very happy knowing i’ve got it in perfect form