| "Sign of the Times" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Slade | ||||
| from the album Return to Base | ||||
| B-side | "Not Tonight Josephine" | |||
| Released | 26 October 1979 [1] | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 3:57 | |||
| Label | Barn | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Noddy Holder, Jim Lea | |||
| Producer(s) | Slade | |||
| Slade singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Sign of the Times" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1979 as the second single from the band's eighth studio album Return to Base . [1] [2] It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Slade. [3]
Having returned to the UK from the United States in 1976, Slade found themselves out-of-favour at the time of the UK's Punk rock explosion. The band's 1977 album Whatever Happened to Slade proved a commercial failure while their tour that spring had shown that they could no longer fill large venues. Slade's waning success soon led to the band playing small gigs after that, including universities and clubs. Despite being successful at filling small venues for their live performances, the band's new records were barely selling. In May 1979, "Ginny, Ginny", the first single from the band's upcoming album Return to Base, failed to chart. [4]
Deciding that a second single would be released from the album, the band were initially unsure of which track to release. When rough copies of Return to Base were sent to a number of European record labels, each had different thoughts on what song they believed to be a good contender. [5] [6] "Sign of the Times" was eventually chosen and released in October. However, the single failed to chart. [7] In a 1981 fan club interview, lead vocalist Noddy Holder said: "We released things like "Sign of the Times" as an A-side single but it was withdrawn after only a week as we decided that we didn't want it out as most of the radio stations refused to play it. It only sold a few hundred copies." He also described the song as "acoustic rock". [8]
"Sign of the Times" speaks of the approaching end of the 1970s and the 20th century, including the technological advances seen from the mid-20th century onwards, such as the invention of Supersonic aircraft, the Apollo 11 Moon landing, test tube babies and the rising of the computer age. A reference is also made to the fictional character Big Brother of George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four . [4] The song was recorded and mixed at Portland Studios. [9] [10] The title of Return to Base was taken from one of the song's lines. [8] In a 1979 fan club interview, Hill explained: "We had a whole list of suggestions for the title, and Return to Base is the one we eventually decided upon." When asked why the song hadn't been included on the band's October tour, Hill revealed: "The reason for that is that at the moment we feel the act is just about right. We have added two numbers that have worked very well, and we are now hoping to get "Sign of the Times" in on the next stretch of dates. Also at the moment we've got one slow ballad in the act, and on this tour we didn't want to have two." [8]
"Sign of the Times" was released on 7" vinyl by Barn in the UK only. [11] It was marketed and distributed by Pinnacle, and released in a generic Barn sleeve. [12] The B-side, "Not Tonight Josephine" was originally exclusive to the single, but would re-appear as the B-side to the band's 1981 single "Wheels Ain't Coming Down". It was later included on the band's 2007 compilation B-Sides . [13] "Sign of the Times" was one of the last singles to be released on the Barn label, which was discontinued in 1980. [14] [15] "Sign of the Times" later re-appeared as the B-side to the band's 1981 UK hit single "Lock Up Your Daughters". [16] The song was included on Salvo's 2006 box-set The Slade Box , as well as the 2007 remaster of We'll Bring the House Down . [17]
Upon release, Melody Maker reviewed the single and said: "Poor old Slade. Banished by the fickle finger of public taste, they've been hovering in a sort of no-man's land for ages. This one won't recapture an audience, even though they're clearly aiming for the ELO sector. Echoed vocals, lots of bombast and the odd "electronic" gimmick do not make a great single. Only when Noddy Holder recaptures his perfect John Lennon imitation will they rise from the ashes..." Superpop rated the single two out of five stars and wrote: "I never was one for the rantings and ravings of Noddy Holder & Co. and this latest 45 doesn't do much to change my attitude. Starting slowly and building up to the usual foot-stomping, heavy head banging climax; it's sure to go down well in the Northern clubs where the band have a fervent following. I'd hate to think what the Southern crowds would say to this dated sound." Record Mirror commented: "On a recent trip to a Buzzocks gig I had the misfortune to be half-deafened by a vintage Slade album blasting from the four corners of their transit vehicle. I was expecting this to suddenly perk up but it's laid back intro remains such with vocals and guitar maintaining a pace of unashamed politeness. Just shows eh…even Slade mellow with age." [18]
In a review of Return to Base, James Parade said: "I accept that Slade are not the most intelligent of men but then that's not what I demand from my pop stars, but I do expect a little more than references to Big brother, Stereo, Radio etc, in the otherwise catchy 'Sign of the Times'". [18] In the 2007 Salvo remaster liner notes for We'll Bring the House Down, writer Chris Ingham said: "Of the lighter brand tracks on the album, "Sign of the Times" meditates on the technological revolution amidst rich chords and surprising key changes." [4]
Return to Base is the eighth studio album by the British rock group Slade. It was released on 1 October 1979 by Barn Records, and did not enter any national album charts. At the time of the album's release, the band's success had waned and were receiving little fortune. Forced to play at small halls and clubs around the UK, the only income they were reliant on was Noddy Holder and Jim Lea's songwriting royalties. Their recent singles had sold poorly and they were no longer drawing in large audiences. Prior to their last-minute call up for the 1980 Reading Festival, they were on the verge of disbanding.
"Mama Weer All Crazee Now" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1972 as the lead single from their third studio album Slayed? It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 1 in the UK, giving the band their third number one single, and remained in the charts for ten weeks. In the United States, the song reached No. 76.
"Run Runaway" is a song by British rock band Slade, released in 1984 as the third single from the band's 11th studio album, The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome, and as the lead single from the album's US counterpart, Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea and produced by John Punter. It reached No. 7 in the United Kingdom and was the band's breakthrough hit in the United States, where it reached No. 20.
"My Baby Left Me" is a rhythm and blues song written by blues singer Arthur Crudup.
"We'll Bring The House Down" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1981 as the lead single from their ninth studio album We'll Bring the House Down. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Slade. The band's first single to reach the UK Top 40 since 1977, the song peaked at No. 10 in the UK, remaining in the chart for nine weeks.
"My Friend Stan" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1973 as the first single from the band's fourth studio album Old New Borrowed and Blue. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 2 in the UK, spending eight weeks on the chart. The single was certified UK Silver by BPI in October 1973.
"How Does It Feel" is song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1975 as the second single from the band's first soundtrack album and fifth studio album Slade in Flame, in promotion of the film of the same name. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 15 in the UK, remaining in the charts for seven weeks.
Thanks for the Memory (Wham Bam Thank You Mam) is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1975 as a non-album single. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 7 in the UK, remaining in the charts for seven weeks.
"In for a Penny" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1975 as the lead single from their sixth studio album, Nobody's Fools. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by Chas Chandler. It reached number 11 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 50 for eight weeks.
"Let's Call It Quits" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1976 as the second single from their sixth studio album Nobody's Fools. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 11 in the UK, remaining in the charts for seven weeks.
"Gypsy Roadhog" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1977 as the only single from the band's seventh studio album Whatever Happened to Slade. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Chas Chandler. It reached No. 48 in the UK.
You Boyz Make Big Noize is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1987 as a non-album single. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by Lea. Named after the band's 1987 album of the same name, the song reached number 94 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for the one week.
"Wheels Ain't Coming Down" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1979 as the opening track from their eighth studio album Return to Base. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Slade. In 1981, the song re-appeared on the band's follow-up album We'll Bring the House Down and was released as the second single from it in March, which reached No. 60 in the UK.
"Xmas Ear Bender" is an extended play (EP) by the British rock band Slade, released in 1980. Xmas Ear Bender includes three tracks; two of which were recorded at the band's performance at the 1980 Reading Festival. The EP was produced by Slade and reached No. 70 in the UK, remaining in the charts for two weeks. The EP was later included in its entirety on the 2006 Salvo compilation Slade Alive! – The Live Anthology.
"Slam the Hammer Down" is a song by the British rock band Slade, released in 1984 as a promotional-only single from the band's American studio album Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and produced by Lea.
Six of the Best is an extended play (EP) by the British rock band Slade, released in 1980. Six of the Best includes six tracks; three new tracks and three taken from the band's 1979 studio album Return to Base. All songs were written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, except "I'm a Rocker" which was written by Chuck Berry. The EP was produced by Slade and failed to enter the UK charts.
"Ginny, Ginny" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1979 as the lead single from their eighth studio album, Return to Base. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by Slade. "Ginny, Ginny" failed to make an appearance in the UK Singles Chart.
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