They first released a demo with songs that would eventually find themselves on their debut album The Age Of Quarrel (1986). The bass player Harley Flanagan and singer John Joseph were not the best of friends and eventually Joseph would part ways with the band leaving Harley to sing on the following Cro-Mags release. After The Age of Quarrel, the band released the record Best Wishes (1989). The record had a more heavy metal-influenced sound which alienated many of their fans. The band released another record Alpha Omega (1992), that saw the return of Joseph, and the departure of guitarist and songwriter Parris Mitchell Mayhew, a record that was only embraced by the most devoted of their fanbase, and followed by Near Death Experience (1993). After suffering from many lineup changes and frequent breakups, the group finally disbanded, seemingly for the last time, after this record. However, in 2000 they released a record that would almost make up for their past two releases. With Revenge the Cro-Mags came back to their early roots with songs that were comparable to their first release plus some songs with a more melodic/punk rock feel. After the release of Revenge the band broke up once again, and the internal hostility amongst band members (mainly between Mayhew and Flanagan) has never been resolved.
Sign Of The Times
Cro-Mags Lyrics
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No one will look you in the eye.
You don't know who to trust.
I'm lookin around me and don't like what I see.
Corruption all around me cause
These, these are the signs of the times.
Seems like they're losing their minds.
These are the signs of the times.
Just seems to me like some steady regression.
I'm lookin on and watchin it corrode.
Gotta hold back or i'm gonna explode.
Take a look at where we're going.
I'm seeing the signs and what they're showing.
I'm totally in disbelief of modern man.
And all his grief these are the signs of the times.
The Cro-Mags' song "Signs of the Times" describes a sense of disillusionment and distrust towards modern society. The lyrics suggest that corruption and a lack of trust have become commonplace, leading to a feeling of frustration and disbelief. The phrase "signs of the times" is used to refer to the various negative aspects of society that the singer is witnessing.
The intro lines of the song "Signs of the times, they're all around us. No one will look you in the eye. You don't know who to trust" explicitly convey the message of the deterioration of the society we live in. The tone is negative, with the singer disheartened by the state of the world. He notes elements of societal decay, like corruption, and doesn't see the progress that he was promised. The tight rhyming pattern and forceful delivery of the vocals enhance the urgency in the lyrics.
The song also contains a sense of foreboding. The singer seems to be warning the listeners of the dangers around them, asking them to take a closer look at what's happening in their society. As the song progresses, the singer seems to be angrier and more agitated, implying that not enough people are paying attention to the warning signs.
Line by Line Meaning
Signs of the times, they're all around us.
There are indications of the current era that can be seen everywhere.
No one will look you in the eye.
People are avoiding eye contact due to a lack of trust in each other.
You don't know who to trust.
It's difficult to determine who is trustworthy in the current state of things.
I'm lookin around me and don't like what I see.
The songwriter is uneasy with their surroundings.
Corruption all around me cause
There is widespread corruption in the environment around the singer.
These, these are the signs of the times.
All of these things are indications of the current era.
Seems like they're losing their minds.
It appears that people are becoming more irrational and chaotic.
These are the signs of the times.
All of these issues are indicative of the current era.
Do you think that we're really progressin?
The songwriter is questioning whether or not societal progress is truly happening.
Just seems to me like some steady regression.
To the songwriter, it appears that progress is not occurring and things are getting worse.
I'm lookin on and watchin it corrode.
The singer is observing society's decline.
Gotta hold back or i'm gonna explode.
The songwriter is struggling to contain their negative emotions in relation to the world around them.
Take a look at where we're going.
The songwriter is imploring people to consider the direction in which society is heading.
I'm seeing the signs and what they're showing.
The songwriter sees the evidence of societal decline and is concerned.
I'm totally in disbelief of modern man.
The songwriter is skeptical and doubtful of the actions and choices of contemporary people.
And all his grief these are the signs of the times.
All of the singer's observations lead to the conclusion that they are witnessing indicators of the current era.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Harley Flanagan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind