Prince’s 1987 double album distilled his restless musical experimentation
Prince’s 1987 double album *Sign o’ the Times* is presented as a defining record from the height of his creativity, bringing together his restless experimentation and wide musical range. A new book by John McKie examines how Prince channelled a period of personal and professional change into music, and why the album remains a landmark in his career.
The article describes an 80-minute collection that grew out of several possible projects, including a triple album and a record centred on Prince’s alter ego Camille, before his label rejected the triple-album plan. Its songs span funk, Christian rock, jazz-influenced pop and power pop, while the title track addresses gang violence, HIV/AIDS and nuclear fears; Prince used instruments including the Fairlight CMI sampler and Linn LM-1 drum machine. McKie interviewed more than 100 people for the book, but says Prince’s intentions were often hard to pin down and that his music offers the clearest clues.
- *Sign o’ the Times* captures Prince’s creative range at a pivotal point.
- The 80-minute double album blends sharply different styles and themes.
- John McKie’s new book traces the record’s creation through more than 100 interviews.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “‘A genre-defying monument’: how Sign o’ the Times captured Prince at his creative peak”.