Songwriter: Prince

Producer: Steven Wilson

In France a skinny man
Died of a big disease with a little name
By chance his girlfriend came across a needle
And soon she did the same
At home there are seventeen-year-old boys
And their idea of fun
Is being in a gang called The Disciples
High on crack, totin' a machine gun

Time, time

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
Sister killed her baby 'cuz she couldn't afford to feed it
And 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

Times, times

It's silly, no'
When a rocket ship explodes
And everybody still wants to fly
Some say a man ain't happy, truly
Til he truly dies
Oh why
Times, times

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
Time, times

It's silly, no'
When a rocket blows
And everybody still wants to fly
Some say a man ain't happy, truly
Until he truly dies
Oh why
Times, times

Time, time

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

Steven Wilson

Steven Wilson is an English musician and record producer, most associated with the progressive rock genre. Currently a solo artist, he became known as the founder, lead guitarist, singer, and songwriter of the band Porcupine Tree, as well as being a member of several other bands. He has also worked with artists such as Opeth, King Crimson, Pendulum, Jethro Tull, XTC, Yes, Marillion, Orphaned Land, OSI, Fish, and Anathema.

Wilson is a self-taught producer, audio engineer, guitar and keyboard player, playing other instruments as needed, including bass guitar, autoharp, hammered dulcimer and flute.

His music has received widespread acclaim. He has been nominated four times for the Grammy Awards, twice with Porcupine Tree, with his collaborative band Storm Corrosion and as a soloist on one occasion. In 2015, he received three awards at the London Progressive Music Awards for his services to the world of progressive rock music and crowned “the king of prog rock”.

From the album