Signs (1972 song)
Encyclopedia
"Signs" is a song by the Canadian
rock
group Five Man Electrical Band
. It was written by Les Emmerson
and popularized the somewhat unknown band, who performed it for their second album, Good-byes and Butterflies
in 1970
. "Signs" was originally released that year as the B-side to the unsuccessful single
"Hello Melinda Goodbye".
Re-released in 1971 on the A-side, "Signs" reached No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100
chart.
In the first verses of the song, the main protagonist (a hippie) expresses his frustration over a series of signs he encounters. One of the signs discourages "long-haired, freaky people" from applying for a job, while another expresses the "trespassers will be shot on sight" threat; yet another proclaims that membership cards are required to get into a club. While he is able to fool or dissuade his would-be antagonist in the first two instances — first, by tucking his hair up in a cap; the second, by telling the homeowner that God would frown upon his behavior — the protagonist, since he isn't wearing a button-down shirt or tie, is turned away at the door by the club usher.
In the final verse, the hippie shares his experiences of going to a church. After pointing out a sign reading "Everybody welcome. Come in, kneel down and pray," he is asked to contribute to the offering
; however, when he realizes he has no money, he takes out a slip of paper, writing on it "Thank you, Lord for thinking about me, I'm alive and doing fine."
The lyrics within "Signs" seem to show an extreme level of frustration with the omnipresent, authoritative symbols employed by governments, institutions, and religion to commit society to a "conform or pay the price" system of control that some would say is just as oppressive, if not more so, today.
and recorded live by Tesla
for their Five Man Acoustical Jam
album in 1990
, peaking at number 8 on the Pop charts. This cover had some minor changes to the lyrics: the line "blockin' out the scenery" was changed to "fuckin' up the scenery," and "made up my own little sign" was changed to "made up my own fuckin' sign". A studio version recorded in 2007 used the original lyrics.
The opening line of the song, "And the sign said long haired freaky people need not apply", was sampled by Fatboy Slim
for his song "Don't Let The Man Get You Down
", from his Palookaville album.
ApologetiX
recorded a parody of the song titled "Lions", telling the story of Daniel in the lion's den. It was originally included on the cassette of Radical History Tour
, and was later re-issued on the "Director's Cut" edition of Isn't Wasn't Ain't
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
group Five Man Electrical Band
Five Man Electrical Band
The Five Man Electrical Band was a rock group from Canada's capital city of Ottawa, best known for their 1971 hit single "Signs"....
. It was written by Les Emmerson
Les Emmerson
Les Emmerson is the lead vocalist and guitarist for the band Five Man Electrical Band. He also recorded as a solo artist, charting in Canada with "Cry Your Eyes Out"....
and popularized the somewhat unknown band, who performed it for their second album, Good-byes and Butterflies
Good-byes and Butterflies
Good-byes and Butterflies is the second studio album by Canadian rock band, the Five Man Electrical Band. This album featured the band's biggest hit, "Signs"...
in 1970
1970 in music
- Events :*January 3**Davy Jones announces he is leaving the Monkees**Former Pink Floyd frontman Syd Barrett releases his first solo album The Madcap Laughs....
. "Signs" was originally released that year as the B-side to the unsuccessful single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
"Hello Melinda Goodbye".
Re-released in 1971 on the A-side, "Signs" reached No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart.
About the song
The song was released during an era of social and political change, and its lyrics carry themes of intolerance and exclusion.In the first verses of the song, the main protagonist (a hippie) expresses his frustration over a series of signs he encounters. One of the signs discourages "long-haired, freaky people" from applying for a job, while another expresses the "trespassers will be shot on sight" threat; yet another proclaims that membership cards are required to get into a club. While he is able to fool or dissuade his would-be antagonist in the first two instances — first, by tucking his hair up in a cap; the second, by telling the homeowner that God would frown upon his behavior — the protagonist, since he isn't wearing a button-down shirt or tie, is turned away at the door by the club usher.
In the final verse, the hippie shares his experiences of going to a church. After pointing out a sign reading "Everybody welcome. Come in, kneel down and pray," he is asked to contribute to the offering
Tithe
A tithe is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Today, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural products...
; however, when he realizes he has no money, he takes out a slip of paper, writing on it "Thank you, Lord for thinking about me, I'm alive and doing fine."
The lyrics within "Signs" seem to show an extreme level of frustration with the omnipresent, authoritative symbols employed by governments, institutions, and religion to commit society to a "conform or pay the price" system of control that some would say is just as oppressive, if not more so, today.
Covers and sampling
"Signs" was famously coveredCover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
and recorded live by Tesla
Tesla (band)
Tesla is an American hard rock band formed in Sacramento, California in 1984. They have sold 14 million albums in the United States.-Formation and Mechanical Resonance :...
for their Five Man Acoustical Jam
Five Man Acoustical Jam
-Charts:AlbumSingles and Album Tracks...
album in 1990
1990 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1990.-Events:*January 21 – MTV's Unplugged premieres on cable television with British band Squeeze...
, peaking at number 8 on the Pop charts. This cover had some minor changes to the lyrics: the line "blockin' out the scenery" was changed to "fuckin' up the scenery," and "made up my own little sign" was changed to "made up my own fuckin' sign". A studio version recorded in 2007 used the original lyrics.
The opening line of the song, "And the sign said long haired freaky people need not apply", was sampled by Fatboy Slim
Fatboy Slim
Norman Quentin Cook better known by his former stage name Fatboy Slim, is a British DJ, electronic dance music musician, and record producer. He is a pioneer of the big beat genre that achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s...
for his song "Don't Let The Man Get You Down
Don't Let the Man Get You Down
"Don't Let the Man Get You Down" is a song by British big beat musician Fatboy Slim. It was released as a single from his album Palookaville. The single peaked at number 153 on the UK Singles Chart. It samples the opening line of the song "Signs" by Five Man Electrical Band.The song was covered by...
", from his Palookaville album.
ApologetiX
ApologetiX
ApologetiX is a Christian parody band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The band was founded in 1992, and since then, has played in 44 states, released 17 studio albums, and built up a fan club that includes 45,000 people. The band is currently composed of J...
recorded a parody of the song titled "Lions", telling the story of Daniel in the lion's den. It was originally included on the cassette of Radical History Tour
Radical History Tour
Radical History Tour is the 2nd album released by Christian parody band ApologetiX. It was originally released in 1994, only on cassette, but was re-released on CD in 1999.-History:...
, and was later re-issued on the "Director's Cut" edition of Isn't Wasn't Ain't
Isn't Wasn't Ain't
Isn't Wasn't Ain't is the debut album by Christian parody band ApologetiX, originally released in 1993. The album was re-released in 2003 and 2005.-Track listing:# "Isn't Wasn't Ain't - 2:31...
.