Sign of the Times (The Belle Stars song)



"Sign of the Times" is a song by English pop/new wave band The Belle Stars, released as the lead single from the band's only self-titled studio album. The single was the fourth single from their only album, and their seventh single overall. Sign of the Times was the band's 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 first to make it into the top 10, reaching #3 in the charts.

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. Sign of the Times turned out to be the band's only top ten hit, although their next single, "Sweet Memory", reached the top 30.

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 centers on the band in an abandoned nightclub, wearing tuxedos & snapping their fingers. During the lyric "you give me nothing more than a shove", the band members do sign language for shoving. This motion is shown throughout the rest of the video.