Sign 'O' the Times is the eighth studio album by Prince, released in March 1987 on Paisley Park Records / Warner Bros. Records and produced entirely by Prince. Widely considered his greatest album and one of the finest records ever made, the sprawling double LP ranges across funk, rock, pop, gospel, jazz, and psychedelia with a freedom and mastery that remains breathtaking. The title track addressed AIDS, drug addiction, gang violence, and natural disaster in a spare groove that conveyed moral gravity without preachiness. From the orchestral funk of 'If I Was Your Girlfriend' to the hard rock explosion of 'U Got the Look,' the album's stylistic range was matched only by the consistency of its songwriting. Sign 'O' the Times is a definitive document of Prince's genius and is routinely cited by critics as one of the greatest albums in the history of popular music.
Track Listing & Credits
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sign 'O' the Times | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 2 | Play in the Sunshine | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 3 | Housequake | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 4 | The Ballad of Dorothy Parker | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 5 | It | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 6 | Starfish and Coffee | Prince Rogers Nelson, Susannah Melvoin | Prince Rogers Nelson, Susannah Melvoin | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 7 | Slow Love | Prince Rogers Nelson, Carole Davis | Prince Rogers Nelson, Carole Davis | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 8 | Hot Thing | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 9 | Forever in My Life | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 10 | U Got the Look | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 11 | If I Was Your Girlfriend | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 12 | Strange Relationship | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 13 | I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 14 | The Cross | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 15 | It's Gonna Be a Beautiful Night | Prince Rogers Nelson, Doctor Fink, Eric Leeds | Prince Rogers Nelson, Doctor Fink, Eric Leeds | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 16 | Adore | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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Data note: Double album released after Prince disbanded the Revolution. Prince wrote and produced virtually all material solo. Sheila E., Eric Leeds (saxophone), and Atlanta Bliss (trumpet) appear on select tracks. Widely considered one of the greatest albums ever made.