Signs

Five Man Electrical Band

About Signs

"Signs" is a song by the Canadian rock group Five Man Electrical Band. It was written by the band's frontman, Les Emmerson and popularized the relatively unknown band, who recorded it for their second album, Good-byes and Butterflies, in 1970. "Signs" was originally released that year as the B-side to the relatively unsuccessful single "Hello Melinda Goodbye" (#55 Canada). Re-released in 1971 as the A-side, "Signs" reached No. 4 in Canada and No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Billboard ranked it as the No. 24 song for 1971. It became a gold record. 


Year:
1970
7,929 
#8

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And the sign said "Long-haired freaky people need not apply"
So I tucked my hair up under my hat and I went in to ask him why
He said "You look like a fine upstanding young man, I think you'll do"
So I took off my hat, I said "Imagine that. Huh! Me workin' for you!"
Whoa-oh-oh

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

And the sign said anybody caught trespassin' would be shot on sight
So I jumped on the fence and-a yelled at the house
"Hey! What gives you the right?"
"To put up a fence to keep me out or to keep mother nature in"
"If God was here he'd tell you to your face, man, you're some kinda sinner"

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

Now, hey you, mister, can't you read?
You've got to have a shirt and tie to get a seat
You can't even watch, no you can't eat
You ain't supposed to be here
The sign said you got to have a membership card to get inside
Ugh!

And the sign said, "Everybody welcome. Come in, kneel down and pray"
But when they passed around the plate at the end of it all
I didn't have a penny to pay
So I got me a pen and a paper and I made up my own little sign
I said, "Thank you, Lord, for thinkin' 'bout me. I'm alive and doin' fine"
Wooo!

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Sign
Sign, sign

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Five Man Electrical Band

The Five Man Electrical Band (originally known as The Staccatos from 1963-68) was a Canadian rock group from Ottawa. They had numerous hits in their native Canada, including the top 10 entries "Half Past Midnight" (1967) (as The Staccatos), "Signs" (1971), "Absolutely Right" (1971) and "I'm A Stranger Here" (1972). Internationally, they are best known for their 1971 hit single "Signs". more »

1 fan

Written by: LES EMMERSON

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Song Release
"Signs" was originally released by Five Man Electrical Band in 1970 as a B-side track on their album 'Good-byes and Butterflies'.
Chart Performance
Despite being a B-side track, "Signs" eventually became a hit reaching the number 3 spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1971.
Song Lyrics
The lyrics of the song were a protest against establishment and materialism, reflecting the counter-culture attitudes of its time.
Song's Popularity
The song continues to be played on classic rock radio stations around the world, highlighting its enduring popularity.
Cover Versions
"Signs" has been covered by several artists over the years, including Tesla in 1990, whose version of the song reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, pushing the song back into the limelight.
Songwriter
Les Emmerson, the lead vocalist of the band, wrote the song after seeing a lot of roadside signs during a trip to California.
Song's Influence
The song, with its social commentary, is believed to have inspired later songs with a similar anti-establishment theme.
Television and Films
"Signs" has appeared in various TV shows and films, such as the Simpsons and the movie 'Signs', furthering its cultural reach.
Album Failure
Despite the success of the song, the album it was featured on, 'Good-byes and Butterflies', was initially a commercial flop because of a controversial album cover featuring a child in a butterfly costume with a naked Barbie doll.
Recognition
The song was awarded a gold disc for selling over one million copies by the Recording Industry Association of America in August 1971.
Band's Disbandment
Despite the success of "Signs", Five Man Electrical Band disbanded in 1975 due to financial troubles, but the song continues to be their legacy.
Sampling
Parts of the song have been sampled in other music tracks, leading to legal disputes over royalties and rights. The band successfully sued rapper Travis Scott for using elements of "Signs" in his song "No Bystanders".
Band's Reformation
The members of Five Man Electrical Band temporarily reformed in 1986 to re-record "Signs" and a few of their other hits for an album called 'Absolutely Right'.
Song Interpretation
"Signs" is often interpreted as an anthem for personal freedom and non-conformity.
Music Video
Despite being released before the advent of music videos, a retrospective video was created featuring images from the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights movements, further establishing the song's historical context.

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    Signs

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1971

    Billboard #3


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