This article got me thinking about the lyrics to "Sign O' The Times." I was thinking that this line is fairly pessimistic/dismissive. Do you think he is speaking negatively about humanity's lust for "more"? Is he questioning the idea of space travel/the space program? Or is it something else?

Also, I believe that, if these lyrics came out today, some fans would jump all over the words like when Prince, in similar fashion, questioned the "sense in voting" in "Dear Mr. Man".

skywalker said:

This article got me thinking about the lyrics to "Sign O' The Times." I was thinking that this line is fairly pessimistic/dismissive. Do you think he is speaking negatively about humanity's lust for "more"? Is he questioning the idea of space travel/the space program? Or is it something else?

Also, I believe that, if these lyrics came out today, some fans would jump all over the words like when Prince, in similar fashion, questioned the "sense in voting" in "Dear Mr. Man".

Here's a tick mark for you also Bobba!!

No. I think he's talking about the space shuttle Challenger blowing up in 1986.

The anniversary of which is today, incidentally.

skywalker said:

This article got me thinking about the lyrics to "Sign O' The Times." I was thinking that this line is fairly pessimistic/dismissive. Do you think he is speaking negatively about humanity's lust for "more"? Is he questioning the idea of space travel/the space program? Or is it something else?

Also, I believe that, if these lyrics came out today, some fans would jump all over the words like when Prince, in similar fashion, questioned the "sense in voting" in "Dear Mr. Man".

I think it's a safe bet that he's referring to the Challenger, and that he's arguing that our priorities should be on improving society rather than space exploration. I don't think that statement is as inflammatory as suggesting that people shouldn't vote. Was there an uproar over that line in 2004? i don't remember that.

Genesia said:

No. I think he's talking about the space shuttle Challenger blowing up in 1986.

The anniversary of which is today, incidentally.

literally yes and figuratively kind of like what skywalker said. It is about how even after a disaster we still take risks that he felt are not a priority.

Of course we all rely heavily on and benefit greatly the space program.

TwiliteKid said:

skywalker said:

This article got me thinking about the lyrics to "Sign O' The Times." I was thinking that this line is fairly pessimistic/dismissive. Do you think he is speaking negatively about humanity's lust for "more"? Is he questioning the idea of space travel/the space program? Or is it something else?

Also, I believe that, if these lyrics came out today, some fans would jump all over the words like when Prince, in similar fashion, questioned the "sense in voting" in "Dear Mr. Man".

I think it's a safe bet that he's referring to the Challenger, and that he's arguing that our priorities should be on improving society rather than space exploration. I don't think that statement is as inflammatory as suggesting that people shouldn't vote. Was there an uproar over that line in 2004? i don't remember that.

Not really and uproar. Just some usual internet arguing. Comparable to a few threads that got going suggesting that "Lavaux" = Prince hates America.

[Edited 1/28/11 11:44am]

Isn't it "SITTING HOME, when a rocket ship explodes"?

Dogsinthetrees said:

Isn't it "SITTING HOME, when a rocket ship explodes"?

No, it isn't.

Dogsinthetrees said:

Isn't it "SITTING HOME, when a rocket ship explodes"?

No.

Dogsinthetrees said:

Isn't it "SITTING HOME, when a rocket ship explodes"?

I thought is was "Me , Marvin Gaye & the kids."

TwiliteKid said:

Dogsinthetrees said:

Isn't it "SITTING HOME, when a rocket ship explodes"?

No.

How about "should have known"? 'cause that's what I've always thought it said.

I think he commenting on how man's social priorities are messed up.

"I'm In Love with Guys, it's the only way."

metallicjigolo said:

"I'm In Love with Guys, it's the only way."

He says in that line,He's in love with God it's the only way,cuz u and I know we got to die someday..

That is from, Let's pretend we are married...1999 album,which Prince's music has always been Controversial from day one..Even in his spiritual themes,he comes across with God and Sex and you ask yourself is this guy crazy...1978 to the most recent 2010,Prince has always pushed the envelope in all boundaries and is darn good with it..Everyone else is following what he has already done..I don't think he has to prove himself anymore,musically and artistically..Most current artist have to get where he has been and according to Soundscan,many of them have a long way to go to capture what Prince,Michael,Madonna,U2,Janet,Whitney,Mariah,Celine,Springsteen,Bon Jovi,Stevie Wonder,Aerosmith and many others have done.. Regarding "Sign o' the times,the single,if you listen to that single,it was truly ahead of it's time for 1987 and all he was doing was giving his opinion on things that has and until this day is an issue.. He's an artist and honestly,who can do what Prince has done and maintain a career? No artist has done what Prince has done and recaptured old,new and upcoming fans..Yes,he has done somethings that we thought were crazy so to speak to us,but to him that may be norm.. It is like any business,you lose some,but you may gain another..Let that brother be the artist that he is,if he change for us all the time,we truly would be bored with him..That is why we like him!!

waynemusic1 said:

He says in that line,He's in love with God it's the only way,cuz u and I know we got to die someday..

That is from, Let's pretend we are married...1999 album,which Prince's music has always been Controversial from day one..Even in his spiritual themes,he comes across with God and Sex and you ask yourself is this guy crazy...1978 to the most recent 2010,Prince has always pushed the envelope in all boundaries and is darn good with it..Everyone else is following what he has already done..I don't think he has to prove himself anymore,musically and artistically..Most current artist have to get where he has been and according to Soundscan,many of them have a long way to go to capture what Prince,Michael,Madonna,U2,Janet,Whitney,Mariah,Celine,Springsteen,Bon Jovi,Stevie Wonder,Aerosmith and many others have done.. Regarding "Sign o' the times,the single,if you listen to that single,it was truly ahead of it's time for 1987 and all he was doing was giving his opinion on things that has and until this day is an issue.. He's an artist and honestly,who can do what Prince has done and maintain a career? No artist has done what Prince has done and recaptured old,new and upcoming fans..Yes,he has done somethings that we thought were crazy so to speak to us,but to him that may be norm.. It is like any business,you lose some,but you may gain another..Let that brother be the artist that he is,if he change for us all the time,we truly would be bored with him..That is why we like him!!

Um...right.

TwiliteKid said:

waynemusic1 said:

He says in that line,He's in love with God it's the only way,cuz u and I know we got to die someday..

That is from, Let's pretend we are married...1999 album,which Prince's music has always been Controversial from day one..Even in his spiritual themes,he comes across with God and Sex and you ask yourself is this guy crazy...1978 to the most recent 2010,Prince has always pushed the envelope in all boundaries and is darn good with it..Everyone else is following what he has already done..I don't think he has to prove himself anymore,musically and artistically..Most current artist have to get where he has been and according to Soundscan,many of them have a long way to go to capture what Prince,Michael,Madonna,U2,Janet,Whitney,Mariah,Celine,Springsteen,Bon Jovi,Stevie Wonder,Aerosmith and many others have done.. Regarding "Sign o' the times,the single,if you listen to that single,it was truly ahead of it's time for 1987 and all he was doing was giving his opinion on things that has and until this day is an issue.. He's an artist and honestly,who can do what Prince has done and maintain a career? No artist has done what Prince has done and recaptured old,new and upcoming fans..Yes,he has done somethings that we thought were crazy so to speak to us,but to him that may be norm.. It is like any business,you lose some,but you may gain another..Let that brother be the artist that he is,if he change for us all the time,we truly would be bored with him..That is why we like him!!

Um...right.

Spinlight said:

TwiliteKid said:

Um...right.

evil is right!

Genesia said:

No. I think he's talking about the space shuttle Challenger blowing up in 1986.

The anniversary of which is today, incidentally.

That is what Skywalker said, but he got to the meaning of mentioning the Challenger blowing up and saying it was silly that everyone still wants to fly...

almost like Icarus, no?

Nothinbutjoy said:

TwiliteKid said:

No.

How about "should have known"? 'cause that's what I've always thought it said.

Dito