Sign Of The Times
Bryan Ferry Roxy Music Lyrics
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Here is another sign of the times
We live we die
We laugh we cry
We know not why
Lipstick 'n leather wear 'n tear
Off another sign of the times
Hard lines crack down
On stony ground
Here is a taste of here and now
Red is the bloody sign of the times
The bride stripped bare
Of all despair
We're cut but we don't care
Here is a rainbow for your hair
Here is another sign of the times
Light up in anger I'll be there
Fight for a sign of the times
We live we die
We laugh and we cry
We know not why
Bent on a life between the lines
End on a sign of the times
The lyrics to Bryan Ferry's Sign Of The Times seem to reflect the mood of a generation grappling with the uncertainty of life. The opening lines, "Here is a rainbow for your hair, here is another sign of the times," may suggest hope and positivity, but the following lines dampen that feeling with "we live we die, we laugh we cry, we know not why." The line "lipstick 'n leather wear 'n tear" might indicate that the times are changing, and the world is becoming more sexualized as old values give way to new ones.
The "hard lines cracking down on stony ground" could be interpreted as a political reference, where governments are becoming stricter and less tolerant of dissent. The next stanza continues this theme, with the description of "a taste of here and now" being red and bloody. The bride being stripped bare of all despair could be a representation of the innocence of youth being lost. The final lines of the song reflect a sense of resignation - we live our lives between the lines and end on a sign of the times.
Line by Line Meaning
Here is a rainbow for your hair
I offer you a small token of joy in this present moment
Here is another sign of the times
Life is constantly evolving and changing, and this is just one more piece of that puzzle
We live we die
All living things have a finite lifespan, and we are no exception
We laugh we cry
Our emotions are a fundamental part of the human experience, and we experience both joy and sorrow
We know not why
Despite our efforts to understand the world around us, there are still many mysteries left unsolved
Lipstick 'n leather wear 'n tear
The fashion and style of the times reflect the wear and tear of our lives
Off another sign of the times
The current trends in fashion and style are simply another reflection of the ever-changing world
We're chained and bound
We often feel constrained and held back by the circumstances of our lives
Hard lines crack down
The harsh realities of life often come crashing down upon us
On stony ground
Our struggles often take place in unforgiving and unyielding environments
Here is a taste of here and now
This moment is all we have, and we should savor it
Red is the bloody sign of the times
The world can be violent and harsh, and this is a reflection of that brutality
The bride stripped bare
We are all vulnerable and exposed in the face of life's challenges
Of all despair
Despite our struggles, we must find a way to overcome despair and keep moving forward
We're cut but we don't care
Even when we face wounds and setbacks, we refuse to give up or give in
Light up in anger I'll be there
When faced with injustice or oppression, I will stand and fight alongside you
Fight for a sign of the times
We must resist the status quo and fight for a better world that reflects our values
Bent on a life between the lines
We are driven to find our place in this world, somewhere between the lines of what is expected and what is possible
End on a sign of the times
Regardless of how our lives begin or what we achieve, we will ultimately be remembered as part of the larger story of our times
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRYAN FERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind