Sign 'O' The Times
Prince (The Artist) Lyrics

In France, a skinny man died of a big disease with a little name
A man in France died of a deadly disease that didn't seem significant, but was destructive nevertheless

By chance his girlfriend came across a needle and soon she did the same
The man's girlfriend also died by using a needle that she stumbled upon, similar to how her partner lost his life

At home there are seventeen-year-old boys and their idea of fun Is being in a gang called 'The Disciples' High on crack and totin' a machine gun
In a terrible scenario, the younger generation is indulging in drugs and violence as a source of pleasure as opposed to healthier means like sports or recreation

Hurricane Annie ripped the ceiling of a church and killed everyone inside You turn on the telly and every other story is tellin' you somebody died
Natural disasters and deaths are becoming frequent all over the world and are constantly flashing on TV news and channels. It seems it's inescapable.

A sister killed her baby 'cause she couldn't afford to feed it And yet we're sending people to the moon In September, my cousin tried reefer for the very first time Now he's doing horse, it's June, unh
The world is so contradictory, with some people not being able to even keep their children fed and alive, while others are making giant leaps in scientific achievements - this stark contrast is jarring. At the same time, easy access to drugs like marijuana can lead to addiction and eventual use of hard drugs like cocaine.

When a rocket ship explodes and everybody still wants to fly But some say a man ain't happy unless a man truly dies Oh why?
Despite the potential danger and risks of new inventions, humans still want to try them out. But some people believe that happiness can only be attained through death, which is a disturbing thought.

Baby make a speech, Star Wars fly Neighbors just shine it on But if a night falls and a bomb falls Will anybody see the dawn?
People are often caught up in insignificant things like movie franchises and speeches, while ignoring the very real threat of an impending attack or disaster that could impact their lives drastically. The singer is questioning if anyone will be left to see another day if such an incident occurs.

When a rocket blows and, and everybody still wants to fly Some say man ain't happy truly until a man truly dies Oh why, oh why? Sign o' the times, unh
Despite the danger inherent in new technology, people still desire the thrill of using them. Some people believe true happiness is only possible in death, a concept that makes no sense. The singer believes it is a reflection of the times we live in.

Sign o' the times mess with your mind Hurry before it's too late Let's fall in love, get married, have a baby We'll call him Nate If it's a boy
The current happenings in the world are overwhelming and can have a detrimental effect on one's mental state. The singer urges listeners to hurry and make positive life choices like falling in love, getting married, starting a new family, hoping for a better future.