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Sign O' the times VS. Livin for the city. Hey Guys!
I made this comparison about a year ago, on the board. I have listened to both of these songs for alot of years now and I am of the opinion that Sign O' The times is the livin for the City, of the 90's. I always thought that Stevie's song was a great depiction of what life was like in the inner-city back then....When Sign o' the times came out, I was blown away. I was attracted to it's sense of realism. In terms of preference, I am kind of torn.... What do you all think? "Love is like peeing in your pants, everyone sees it but only you feel its warmth" | |
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 I think that's a really great comparison.
I listen to both songs a lot.....thanks to my Stevie Wonder's greatest hits album I picked up last year. I think your right though, even singing them in my head now, they kinda sound the same in a wierd way. And its just enough, just enough, for the CITAAAAAY SIAaAaAagn of the times  | |
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I think they are both great social critiques in different ways. Prince's is a news report with the narrorator questioning society and the song ends with a sad indifference about the cold harsh reality that is life and the absurdity of the world. While Stevie's song gives us the story of an individuals tough rise through society and his ultimate demise at the hands of the cold cruel game that is played by those in control. I love them both and I agree they are both VERY powerful. Stevie's is a an empassioned sonic masterpiece, while Prince's sparse understated track pulsates with a somber tone that reflects the reality we are faced with. [Edited 12/2/05 9:52am] | |
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DorothyParkerWasCool said: I think they are both great social critiques in different ways. Prince's is a news report with the narrorator questioning society and the song ends with a sad indifference about the cold harsh reality that is life and the absurdity of the world. While Stevie's song gives us the story of an individuals tough rise through society and his ultimate demise at the hands of the cold cruel game that is played by those in control. I love them both and I agree they are both VERY powerful. Stevie's is a an empassioned sonic masterpiece, while Prince's sparse understated track pulsates with a somber tone that reflects the reality we are faced with.
[Edited 12/2/05 9:52am] Couldn't have said it better myself. These are the truths and anything else-- rating them that is-- is just opinion. |
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You should compare TLC's "Waterfalls" to "SOTT" then. damn near same songs. "Free yo mind and yo ass will follow" - George Clinton | |
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ChristopherTracyParade said: You should compare TLC's "Waterfalls" to "SOTT" then. damn near same songs.
How are they the same songs? In regards to content? I think Livin for the city is a lot closer to Sign O' the times. "Love is like peeing in your pants, everyone sees it but only you feel its warmth" | |
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DorothyParkerWasCool said: I think they are both great social critiques in different ways. Prince's is a news report with the narrorator questioning society and the song ends with a sad indifference about the cold harsh reality that is life and the absurdity of the world. While Stevie's song gives us the story of an individuals tough rise through society and his ultimate demise at the hands of the cold cruel game that is played by those in control. I love them both and I agree they are both VERY powerful. Stevie's is a an empassioned sonic masterpiece, while Prince's sparse understated track pulsates with a somber tone that reflects the reality we are faced with.
[Edited 12/2/05 9:52am] Very well said, Parker. Obviously, Stevie's cut influenced "Signs", as well as Curtis Mayfield, even more so. SynthiaRose said "I'm in love with blackguitaristz. Especially when he talks about Hendrix."
nammie "What BGZ says I believe. I have the biggest crush on him." http://ccoshea19.googlepa...ssanctuary http://ccoshea19.googlepages.com | |
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shorttrini said: ChristopherTracyParade said: You should compare TLC's "Waterfalls" to "SOTT" then. damn near same songs.
How are they the same songs? In regards to content? I think Livin for the city is a lot closer to Sign O' the times. They both speak on gang violence and AIDS. "Free yo mind and yo ass will follow" - George Clinton | |
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ChristopherTracyParade said: shorttrini said: How are they the same songs? In regards to content? I think Livin for the city is a lot closer to Sign O' the times. They both speak on gang violence and AIDS. Sign O' the times speaks of just more that that. It speaks of life in general, it speaks of what's going on in the world. While, "Waterfalls", is a great song, it is only rememebered for the rap,by left-eye. Other than that it is just a regular song. "Love is like peeing in your pants, everyone sees it but only you feel its warmth" | |
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shorttrini said: ChristopherTracyParade said: They both speak on gang violence and AIDS. Sign O' the times speaks of just more that that. It speaks of life in general, it speaks of what's going on in the world. While, "Waterfalls", is a great song, it is only rememebered for the rap,by left-eye. Other than that it is just a regular song. Well, that's your opinion that it's only remembered for the rap, most people I know don't even bring up the rap. In fact, you're the qst person I know that brings up the rap and not its connection to SOTT with the AIDS and Gang Violence references. How is Waterfalls not about life in general? "Free yo mind and yo ass will follow" - George Clinton | |
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I think that SOTT is one of the few, if not the only Prince song in which he questions his faith. [Edited 12/5/05 12:39pm] | |
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ChristopherTracyParade said: shorttrini said: Sign O' the times speaks of just more that that. It speaks of life in general, it speaks of what's going on in the world. While, "Waterfalls", is a great song, it is only rememebered for the rap,by left-eye. Other than that it is just a regular song. Well, that's your opinion that it's only remembered for the rap, most people I know don't even bring up the rap. In fact, you're the qst person I know that brings up the rap and not its connection to SOTT with the AIDS and Gang Violence references. How is Waterfalls not about life in general? I did not say that "Waterfalls" was not about life, it is. But, it does not depict life in the inner-city as well as Sign O' the times" does. Left eye's rap, is the part that brings the song home. Her part of the song, really explains what the song is about. I just think that Prince and Stevie's songs display it better than TLC. "Love is like peeing in your pants, everyone sees it but only you feel its warmth" | |
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shorttrini said: Hey Guys!
I am of the opinion that Sign O' The times is the livin for the City, of the 90's. What do you all think? You mean the 80s? "Todo está bien chévere" Stevie | |
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blackguitaristz said: b]
Very well said, Parker. Obviously, Stevie's cut influenced "Signs", as well as Curtis Mayfield, even more so.[/quote] I don't hear that influence. It could be, but it's not as obvious as you imply. It's possible Prince simply looked in the newspaper and was inspired to cut a tune. That said, it's difficult to make a socially conscious song and not be influenced by Curtis if you've heard his work. |
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