VHS's three core members have played music together for most of their lives. James Bohannon and Conor Cook went to middle school together in New York City, while James went to high school with Nils Vanderlip where they started their first band.
In 2015 VHS formed, based initially around home recordings which the band posted on Soundcloud. VHS began performing around NYC's lower east side rock clubs, eventually selling out several shows at the Mercury Lounge that year. In 2015, they released their debut EP whose lead single "Lean" rose to #8 on the Spotify Viral charts. In 2016, VHS released Stereo Hype, which included the indie hit “Waiting on the Summer." VHS performed at major festivals that year including Lollapalooza and ACL. The band continued to release singles and tour leading up to the release of their debut LP Retrofuturism in November 2018. VHS's songs have also been featured in Shameless, Sunday Night Football, Love, You, and dozens of other TV shows.
Sign
VHS Collection Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll take the burden 'cause you've taken mine
No, don't you cry
I'll take the verdict 'cause I've done the crime
I'm halfway out of New York
Half of me I left behind
If we've got something to say now is the time
Smoke fills your eyes
I'm down and no leader
And I'm losing time
Broke and in disguise
I'll come and meet you
And I'll change your mind
I'm halfway out of New York
And half of me I left behind
If we've got something to say then now is the time
Just give me a sign
Stay one more night
I'm hooked like a junkie, and I'm here to fight
You say you'll be mine
Oh the city is burning and I've seen the sign
I'm halfway out of New York
And half of me I left behind
If we've got something to say then now is the time
Once in a lifetime you might find
Something that you needed its right there you can see it
In the night time you might find
Something that you needed
Just give me a sign
Go, I'll wait behind
I'll take the burden 'cause you've taken mine
No, don't you cry
I'll take the verdict 'cause I've done the crime
I'm halfway out of New York
Half of me I left behind
If we've got something to say then now is the time
Just give me a sign
Just give me a sign
The lyrics of VHS Collection’s song Sign describe the complex relationship of two individuals who are struggling to communicate their feelings for each other. The singer is willing to take on the burden of their partner’s problems and is determined to mend their relationship. They reassure their partner that they will take the blame for anything that has gone wrong, and they urge them to speak their mind. The singer hopes for a sign from their partner that they are willing to work through their issues and make their relationship stronger.
The song’s opening lines, “Go, I'll wait behind, I'll take the burden 'cause you've taken mine, No, don't you cry, I'll take the verdict 'cause I've done the crime” could be interpreted in different ways. It could mean that the singer has done something wrong that has hurt their partner, and they are willing to take responsibility for it. It could also suggest that the singer is willing to take on the burden of their partner’s mental health struggles and be their pillar of support. The lines, “I'm halfway out of New York, Half of me I left behind” could indicate that the singer is trying to distance themselves from their present situation in hopes of finding clarity.
The singer urges their partner to speak their mind and says, “If we've got something to say then now is the time, Just give me a sign.” The lines, “Once in a lifetime you might find, Something that you needed it's right there you can see it, In the night time you might find, Something that you needed, Just give me a sign” suggest that the singer believes that their relationship could be a once-in-a-lifetime connection, and they are willing to put in the effort to save it.
Overall, VHS Collection’s Sign is a poignant song that encapsulates the complexities and difficulties of modern-day relationships. It highlights the importance of communication and honesty in sustaining a relationship, as well as the willingness to take on each other's problems.
Line by Line Meaning
Go, I'll wait behind
I will let you go ahead and take your time, and I will patiently wait.
I'll take the burden 'cause you've taken mine
I will carry the weight and responsibility because you have done the same for me before.
No, don't you cry
I will not let you feel sad or alone, I will be there for you.
I'll take the verdict 'cause I've done the crime
I will accept the punishment or consequences for my actions because I am to blame.
I'm halfway out of New York
I am leaving New York, but I have not fully left yet.
Half of me I left behind
I left a part of me or something important behind in New York.
If we've got something to say now is the time
If we have an important message or point to make, we should do it now while we have the chance.
Just give me a sign
Let me know that you agree or acknowledge what I am saying, or that you are ready to move forward.
Smoke fills your eyes
You are struggling and your vision is clouded or blocked by smoke.
I'm down and no leader
I feel defeated and lost, unable to guide or lead in this situation.
And I'm losing time
I am running out of time to do something important or make a change.
Broke and in disguise
I am struggling financially and trying to blend in or hide my true feelings or identity.
I'll come and meet you
I will make an effort to come to you or be with you.
And I'll change your mind
I will try to convince or persuade you to see things differently or change your opinion.
Stay one more night
Please do not leave just yet, stay a little longer.
I'm hooked like a junkie, and I'm here to fight
I am addicted or deeply invested in something, and I am willing to fight to keep it.
You say you'll be mine
You promise or suggest that you will belong to me or be with me.
Oh the city is burning and I've seen the sign
There is chaos and destruction in the city, and it is a clear indication that something important is happening or changing.
If we've got something to say then now is the time
If we need to speak up or share our thoughts or feelings, we should do it immediately before it's too late.
Just give me a sign
Make it clear that you are on board, ready for action, or in agreement with me.
Once in a lifetime you might find
It is rare to come across something special or significant in one's lifetime.
Something that you needed its right there you can see it
That important thing you were looking for is right in front of you and visible.
In the night time you might find
At night, when things are dark and uncertain, you may come across something unexpected or revelatory.
Something that you needed
Something that is necessary or vital for you.
Just give me a sign
Indicate to me that you are ready, willing, and able to do what needs to be done.
Contributed by Elliot N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MrOrthodox13
Lyrics:
[Intro]
Go, I'll wait behind
I'll take the burden 'cause you've taken mine
No, don't you cry
I'll take the verdict 'cause I've done the crime
I'm halfway out of New York
Half of me I left behind
If we've got something to say now is the time
Just give me a sign
[Verse 1]
Smoke fills your eyes
I'm down and no leader
And I'm losing time
Broke and in disguise
I'll come and meet you
And I'll change your mind
[Chorus]
I'm halfway out of New York
And half of me I left behind
If we've got something to say then now is the time
Just give me a sign
[Verse 2]
Stay one more night
I'm hooked like a junkie, and I'm here to fight
You say you'll be mine
Oh the city is burning and I've seen the sign
[Chorus]
I'm halfway out of New York
And half of me I left behind
If we've got something to say then now is the time
[Bridge]
Once in a lifetime you might find
Something that you needed its right there you can see it
In the night time you might find
Something that you needed
Just give me a sign
Go, I'll wait behind
I'll take the burden 'cause you've taken mine
No, don't you cry
I'll take the verdict 'cause I've done the crime
[Instrumental Break]
[Chorus]
I'm halfway out of New York
Half of me I left behind
If we've got something to say then now is the time
Just give me a sign.
@rachellemaster1611
I was having a really bad night and this song came on and when it said “ I’ll take your burden” I felt like someone could hear my cry’s. Right now it feels so dark, but this song gave me hope. Thank you for the beautiful music!
@elierachkidi8503
it's a year later but if you liked this song wait till you hear their other song: the black
@ShortyKills
My daughter turned me onto this song about three weeks ago. Immediately I loved it. Today, I put it on repeat so I could listen to it again a couple times. Next thing I knew I had repeatedly listened to it for my entire 12-hour work shift. Now finally I'm home and am listening to it on my four 15 inch speaker system so I can hear the amazing harmony, somewhat retro techno sounding liquid gold that fills my ears. What the fuck is wrong with me???
@ericfoxprime
3 years later... this is happening to me right now.
@Tabbylover55
This band is really very good, they deserve worldwide fame! Not sure why they are so underrated, but happy to see people are slowly discovering them on different platforms.
@ilanbeker
I was in NYC subway when this gem came out. I was so shook that the lady in front of me asked what the hell I was looking at lol I'm here for this sound, you're an amazing band. Send you good vibes from Mexico
@Southwander
°<>°
@shah9394
Bro for real when the music hits it hits right?
@hassansyed7634
Nice comment
@VHSCollection
Love hearing stories like this. Thank you.