Sign of the Times (The Belle Stars song)

"Sign of the Times"
Single by The Belle Stars
from the album The Belle Stars
B-side "Madness"
Released December 30, 1982
Format 7", 12"
Recorded 1982
Genre New Wave
Length 2:56
5:50 (Extended Remix)
Label Stiff
Songwriter(s) Lesley Shone, Jennie Matthias, Miranda Joyce, Sarah-Jane Owen, Judy Parsons, Stella Barker, Clare Hirst
Producer(s) Peter Collins
The Belle Stars singles chronology
"Mockingbird"
(1982)		 "Sign of the Times"
(1982)		 "Sweet Memory"
(1983)

"Mockingbird"
(1982)		 "Sign Of The Times"
(1983)		 "Sweet Memory"
(1983)[1]

"Sign of the Times" is a song by English pop/new wave band The Belle Stars, released as the fourth single from the band's only self-titled studio album. It was their seventh single overall and first single that was an original song since 1981's "Another Latin Love Song". Its lyrics describe the band explaining how they feel their lover is unfaithful of their love, hence the lyric "You say you love me, but want success." The single was the band's only top ten hit, reaching #3 on the UK Singles Chart the week of February 19, 1983.[2] It peaked at #75 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of May 14, 1983.[3]

Background

In 1982, The Belle Stars released three covers "Iko Iko", by The Dixie Cups, "The Clapping Song", by Shirley Ellis & "Mockingbird", by Inez & Charlie Foxx. Dave Robinson at Stiff Records, the band's record company, suggested that the band did covers to attract audiences, and then after three covers write their own song and it would be a hit. This happened to be true when the band released Sign Of The Times, which was likely because of the band's backup covers.

Music video

The music video for the song was produced by Pete Collins. It features Stella Barker talking while staring in mid-air, and then shows Jennie Matthias popping out from below and singing. The video then centres on the band in an abandoned nightclub, wearing tuxedos and snapping their fingers. During the lyric "you give me nothing more than a shove", the band members perform the sign language gesture for "shove". This motion is shown throughout the rest of the video.

References

  1. ↑ "Belle Stars, The - Sign Of The Times (Remixed Extended 12" Version)." Rate Your Music. Web. 25 Jan. 2015.
  2. ↑ The Belle Stars – OfficialCharts.com.
  3. ↑ "Sign of the Times" by The Belle Stars – Billboard Hot 100.
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