Sign 'O' The Times
Prince Lyrics

Oh yeah!
Prince starts off the song with an energetic and enthusiastic tone.

In France, a skinny man died of a big disease with a little name
The singer is describing a tragic incident where a man died of a disease that might not sound threatening. The metaphor of 'big disease with a little name' raises questions about the severity of illnesses that may appear minor but can be deadly.

By chance his girlfriend came across a needle and soon she did the same
The singer continues to narrate the tragic incident where the man's girlfriend also died due to substance abuse. The use of 'by chance' suggests a lack of control over the events, highlighting how life often takes unexpected turns.

At home there are seventeen-year-old boys and their idea of fun
The artist draws attention to the young age of teenage boys who find enjoyment in being part of dangerous gangs, suggesting a larger problem of lack of guidance and support for youth.

Is being in a gang called 'The Disciples'
The artist highlights the dangerous nature of the gang 'The Disciples,' implying their involvement in illegal activities and violence.

High on crack and totin' a machine gun
The singer describes the dangerous activities of the gang 'The Disciples,' highlighting how the combination of drug use and easy access to guns can lead to disastrous consequences.

Hurricane Annie ripped the ceiling of a church and killed everyone inside
The singer describes the aftermath of a natural disaster where people lost their lives, highlighting the fragility of life and the lack of control humans have over natural forces.

You turn on the telly and every other story is tellin' you somebody died
The artist highlights how the news can often be depressing and filled with stories of death and tragedy, suggesting a larger issue of the media focusing on negative stories rather than positive ones.

A sister killed her baby 'cause she couldn't afford to feed it
The artist narrates another tragic incident resulting from socioeconomic issues where a mother is unable to provide for her child, leading to a devastating outcome.

And yet we're sending people to the moon
The artist highlights the progress of technology and human capabilities, questioning why we focus on space exploration when issues on earth still need attention.

In September, my cousin tried reefer for the very first time
The singer shares a personal anecdote about their cousin trying drugs, perhaps highlighting the widespread use of drugs and their impact on society.

Now he's doing horse, it's June, unh
The artist follows up on the personal anecdote about their cousin, implying that the usage of drugs has escalated to something more dangerous and implying the destructive nature of addiction.

It's silly, no?
The singer asks a rhetorical question, questioning society's obsession with destructive behavior and suggesting the absurdity of our priorities.

When a rocket ship explodes and everybody still wants to fly
The singer highlights the paradox of human behavior where humans continue to take risks despite the possibility of danger or failure, perhaps a critique of humanity's unrelenting pursuit of progress.

But some say a man ain't happy unless a man truly dies
The singer criticizes the societal belief that a person must experience death to achieve happiness, questioning the ethics of such a concept.

Oh why?
The artist asks a rhetorical question, wondering why society has such destructive beliefs and questioning the root causes of such beliefs.

Baby make a speech, Star Wars fly
The artist implies the superficiality of society's obsession with entertainment and celebrity culture, perhaps highlighting the lack of focus on important issues.

Neighbors just shine it on
The singer describes the apathetic nature of society when it comes to important issues, criticizing society's lack of action and consequently, the perpetuation of societal issues.

But if a night falls and a bomb falls
The singer describes the possibility of war and its potential reach, highlighting the importance of addressing larger issues that could impact everyone's lives.

Will anybody see the dawn?
The artist poses a question, wondering whether society will be able to overcome the issues that can have catastrophic effects, questioning whether society has the capacity to solve problems before it's too late.

Sign o' the times mess with your mind
The artist returns to the theme of the song, highlighting how the issues plaguing society can have a lasting impact on people's lives and their psyche, perhaps highlighting the urgent need to address these issues.

Hurry before it's too late
The artist implies the urgency of addressing societal issues before they have irreparable consequences, highlighting the need for immediate action.

Let's fall in love, get married, have a baby
The singer suggests a return to more wholesome and fulfilling priorities, perhaps highlighting the importance of finding happiness and fulfillment in personal relationships.

We'll call him Nate
The artist shares a personal anecdote, suggesting the possibility of finding joy and meaning in starting a family and personal relationships.