Creating one masterpiece is difficult enough on its own. Prince created two within a year, and released them exactly 365 days apart.
35 years ago today (3/31/87), Prince released Sign O’ The Times, the double album that critics and fams alike would praise as an undeniable tour de force in his already gem-packed catalog. #Princerversaries
Prince’s ninth studio album was released at a pivotal turning point in his career. He was a star since the day he debuted. His aura: radiant. His musical and sartorial experimentation: boundless.
His abilities as a composer, producer and musician surpassed most of his peers. His inventiveness surpassed them all.
But no one can deny that his star was shining brighter than a supernova during “The Revolution Years”. This is why his first solo album post-Revolution was monumental.
Admirers of Prince’s music pre-Revolution didn’t mind as much that he was growing in a new direction. His artistry yearned for constant EVOLUTION, so if the REVOLUTION were only a part of his journey as a whole, so be it. If you loved Prince’s first 4–5 albums, you weren’t worried that he’d be able to deliver on his own yet again.
However, Prince had millions of new followers who jumped onboard around the time “1999” and “Little Red Corvette” dropped, and throughout the cultural zeitgeist that was “Purple Rain”. So for that crowd, those who only knew Prince alongside Wendy, Lisa, Brown Mark, Dr. Fink, and Bobby? They were definitely curious about the return to a band-less Prince.
What would, not one, but TWO albums sound like without his famous pop/rock band? Was he headed in (yet another) completely new direction?
Curiosity killed the cat, but it only strengthened the intensity of Prince’s allure. While some wondered about the possibility of drama behind the scenes, Prince just replied with gold. Better yet, platinum. Prince dropped the shared band credit, and returned to his solo status with a bang. Two albums FULL of bangers, in fact.
How could you not adore (pun intended) this album? It makes the house quake or can serve as a backdrop to your strange relationship.
The first single from Prince’s ninth studio album was brimming with societal intelligence and a strong dose of cool.
That sparse, and discordant drum pattern was an indication that Prince had something to say, and NEEDED everyone to listen. Prince went on to reference AIDS, gang violence, and the drug epidemic…all wrapped in a pulsating pop song. And his message was heard.
The movement, concert film, and creative exploration that accompanied #SignOTheTimes was very deep and meaningful for Prince. He was baring his soul alone, without The Revolution, for the first time in years.
And sartorially speaking, SOTT was also marked by Prince’s full on jump into the denim game too. For a minute a least. ;)
But even though Prince didn’t stay rocking his denim for long, Vanessa Huxtable got to bring the SOTT jacket some further primetime network shine on the ‘The Cosby Show’. Prince was pleased to hear that Tempestt Bledsoe was an avid listener of his music, and was a fan of SOTT’s daring fashion palette.
Since Mr. Nelson wasn’t usually spotted in a standard American uniform (casual jeans, loose fitting jackets and tops, minimal hair and makeup), the public was surprised by the new look; and considered “laidback” a daring move for Prince. Most were intrigued by the whole SOTT movement.
For one, the album cover for Sign O’ The Times knocked it out of the park in terms of its power to draw the beholder into a purple puzzle.
People wondered: What was going on in the picture? Why was Prince out of focus and almost out of the shot? Did this represent him walking away from The Revolution?
In truth, I believe that Prince was walking away from EVERYTHING. His band, his UTCM look, his Parade sound and his restrictions. Although most importantly, he was walking away from his cares (about criticism).
Case in point, he only toured this album in Europe because he didn’t care for its reception in the states. For many, that’d make ‘em beg. If you aren’t buying the music, some artists will jump through through hoops to morph into the person you want them to be.
Not Prince. He just walked away. You don’t get it? Then you don’t GET it.
He went to Europe. And then he went to his soundstage to complete his Sign O’ The Times concert film.
He hit the studio (and the vault) and assembled a package of songs that criss-crossed through every genre and back again.
He played with texture (“If I Was Your Girlfriend”), celebrated mistakes and self-reflection (“The Ballad of Dorothy Parker”), shed light on societal truths (“Sign O’ The Times”), and paid homage to God (“The Cross”).
He spoke of hurting and loving and living and praising and fighting and dancing and suffering and sexing and confessing.
He presented a “new” version of himself that in some ways combined every element of his “old” self. A nostalgic reinvention.
Sign O’ The Times is a cohesive collection of crazy sounds and comforting melodies.
Sign O’ The Times is still relevant, and still better than most music released today.
Sign O’ The Times could stop you in your tracks or it could persuade you to delve deeper into your own psyche.
And it was a gift from Prince to the entire world; then, now and forevermore. — Miss TLC
