| Sign of the Times | |
| Cover: | Signofthetimes.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | The Belle Stars |
| Album: | The Belle Stars |
| B-Side: | Madness |
| Released: | December 30, 1982 |
| Recorded: | 1982 |
| Genre: | New wave |
| Length: | 2:56 5:50 (Extended Remix) |
| Label: | Stiff |
| Producer: | Peter Collins |
| Prev Title: | Mockingbird |
| Prev Year: | 1982 |
| Next Title: | Sweet Memory |
| Next Year: | 1983 |
"Sign of the Times" is a song by English pop/new wave band the Belle Stars, released as the fourth single from the band's self-titled only studio album. It was their seventh single overall and first single written by the band since 1981's "Another Latin Love Song". The single was the band's only top ten hit, reaching No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart in the week of 19 February 1983,[1] and was subsequently listed by the Official Charts Company as the 31st best-selling single of 1983 in the UK.[2] It also entered on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 75 in the week of 14 May 1983.[3]
The music video features the band wearing tuxedos and performing the song in a dark building with flashing blue lights.
In 1982, the Belle Stars released three cover versions: "Iko Iko" by the Dixie Cups, "The Clapping Song" by Shirley Ellis, and "Mockingbird" by Inez & Charlie Foxx. Dave Robinson at Stiff Records, the band's record company, suggested that the band ought to perform covers to attract audiences, then after three covers write their own song, and it would be a hit. This happened to come true when the band released "Sign of the Times".
| Chart (1983) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[4] | 75 | |
| US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[5] | 43 |
| Chart (1983) | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[6] | 56 | |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[7] | 66 | |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[8] | 49 |