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How "Sign O' The Times" evolved

Summer 1986 planned LP/2-LP PRINCE AND THE REVOLUTION: DREAM FACTORY
    LP configuration late April 1986:
  1. Visions 2.19 [Lisa Coleman solo piano recording 10 March 1986; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  2. Dream Factory 3.06 [recorded mid-Dec 1985; released on CRYSTAL BALL set, 1998]
  3. It's a Wonderful Day [recorded 30 Jan 1986; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  4. The Ballad of Dorothy Parker [recorded 15 March 1986; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]
  5. Big Tall Wall [recorded 18 April 1986; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  6. And That Says What? [recorded 20 March 1986; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]

  7. Strange Relationship [1985 Version] [recorded 14 March 1983 & reworked 1 July 1985; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  8. Teacher, Teacher [recorded spring 1982 & reworked 18 June 1985; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  9. Starfish and Coffee [recorded 20 April 1986; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987, with an added alarm clock intro]
  10. A Place in Heaven [recorded 15 March 1986; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  11. Sexual Suicide [recorded 10 Aug 1985; a slightly different version was released on CRYSTAL BALL set, 1998]
"Big Tall Wall" and "And That Says What?" were not included on any later configuration.

    2-LP configuration 3 June 1986:
  1. Visions 2.19 [Lisa Coleman solo piano recording 10 March 1986; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  2. Dream Factory 3.06 [recorded mid-Dec 1985; released on CRYSTAL BALL set, 1998]
  3. It's a Wonderful Day [recorded 30 Jan 1986; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  4. The Ballad of Dorothy Parker [recorded 15 March 1986; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]
  5. It 5.10 [recorded 11 May 1986; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]

  6. Strange Relationship [1985 Version] [recorded 14 March 1983 & reworked 1 July 1985; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  7. Teacher, Teacher [recorded spring 1982 & reworked 18 June 1985; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  8. Starfish and Coffee [recorded 20 April 1986; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987, with an added alarm clock intro]
  9. Colors [Wendy Melvoin solo guitar] [recorded 18 April 1986; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  10. In a Large Room with No Light [recorded 4 May 1986; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  11. Nevaeh Ni Ecalp A [recorded 20 April 1986; overdubs recorded May 1986; the first version without overdubs was released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  12. Sexual Suicide [recorded 10 Aug 1985; a slightly different version was released on CRYSTAL BALL set, 1998]

  13. Crystal Ball 10.28 [recorded 17 April 1986; released on CRYSTAL BALL set, 1998]
  14. Power Fantastic [recorded 19 March 1986; released on THE HITS/THE B-SIDES, 1993, without the instrumental intro, and in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020, in full length but in a slightly different mix]

  15. Last Heart 3.00 [demo recorded 12 Jan 1986; released on CRYSTAL BALL set, 1998]
  16. Witness 4 the Prosecution [recorded 14 March 1986, with band overdubs 15 April 1986; released as "Version 1" in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  17. Movie Star 4.25 [recorded 27 March 1986; released on CRYSTAL BALL set, 1998]
  18. A Place in Heaven [recorded 15 March 1986; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  19. All My Dreams [recorded 28 April 1985; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
Missing "Big Tall Wall" and "And That Says What?" from the previous 1-LP configuration, but adds ten new tracks.

    2-LP configuration 18 July 1986:
  1. Visions 2.19 [Lisa Coleman solo piano recording 10 March 1986; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  2. Nevaeh Ni Ecalp A [recorded 20 April 1986; overdubs recorded May 1986; the first version without overdubs was released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  3. Dream Factory 3.06 [recorded mid-Dec 1985; released on CRYSTAL BALL set, 1998]
  4. Train [recorded 7 July 1986; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  5. The Ballad of Dorothy Parker [recorded 15 March 1986; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]
  6. It 5.10 [recorded 11 May 1986; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]

  7. Strange Relationship [1985 Version] [recorded 14 March 1983 & reworked 1 July 1985; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  8. Slow Love 4.18 [recorded 4 June 1986; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]
  9. Starfish and Coffee [recorded 20 April 1986; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987, with an added alarm clock intro]
  10. Colors [Wendy Melvoin solo guitar] [recorded 18 April 1986; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  11. I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man 6.31 [recorded 1982, reworked 16 July 1986; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987, slightly shortened]

  12. Sign O' the Times 4.57 [recorded 15 July 1986; a slightly different version was released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]
  13. Crystal Ball 10.28 [recorded 17 April 1986; released on CRYSTAL BALL set, 1998]
  14. A Place in Heaven [Lisa Coleman lead vocal] [vocals recorded 20 April 1986; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]

  15. Last Heart 3.00 [demo recorded 12 Jan 1986; released on CRYSTAL BALL set, 1998]
  16. Witness 4 the Prosecution [recorded 14 March 1986, with band overdubs 15 April 1986; released as "Version 1" in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  17. Movie Star 4.25 [recorded 27 March 1986; released on CRYSTAL BALL set, 1998]
  18. The Cross 4.46 [recorded 13 July 1986; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]
  19. All My Dreams [recorded 28 April 1985; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
Five new tracks were recorded for this configuration: "Train", "Slow Love", "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man", "Sign O' the Times", "The Cross". Five tracks from the 3 June configuration were removed: "It's a Wonderful Day", "Teacher, Teacher", "In a Large Room with No Light", "Sexual Suicide" and "Power Fantastic". (It is also missing "Big Tall Wall" and "And That Says What?" from the April 1-LP configuration.)

late 1986/early 1987 planned LP CAMILLE: CAMILLE

    LP configuration 5 Nov 1986:
  1. Rebirth of the Flesh [recorded 28 Oct 1986; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  2. Housequake 4.38 [recorded 18 Oct 1986; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]
  3. Strange Relationship 4.04 [1986 Remix] [remixed Oct-Nov 1986; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]
  4. Feel U Up 6.30 [recorded 27 Oct 1986; released as B-side of Partyman, 1989]

  5. Shockadelica 6.12 [recorded 16 Sep 1986; released as B-side of If I was Your Girlfriend, 1987]
  6. Good Love 5.11 [recorded 30 Oct 1986; released on BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY soundtrack, 1988 & as a slightly different edit on CRYSTAL BALL set, 1998]
  7. If I Was Your Girlfriend 4.54 [recorded 2 Nov 1986; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987, with an added 15 sec intro seague]
  8. Rockhard in a Funky Place 4.32 [recorded 28 Oct 1986; released on "BLACK ALBUM"] (planned cat #: Warner Bros 1-25543)
All tracks are newly recorded Sep-Nov 1986 (or in the case of "Strange Relationship", remixed) for this project.

early 1987 planned 3-LP CAMILLE: CRYSTAL BALL

    3-LP configuration 30 Nov 1986:
  1. Rebirth of the Flesh [recorded 28 Oct 1986; from the aborted CAMILLE project; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  2. Play in the Sunshine [recorded 22 Nov 1986; new track; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987, without intro gunshot and different segue from Rebirth of the Flesh]
  3. Housequake 4.38 [recorded 18 Oct 1986; from the aborted CAMILLE project; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]
  4. The Ballad of Dorothy Parker [recorded 15 March 1986; from the aborted DREAM FACTORY project; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]

  5. It 5.10 [recorded 11 May 1986; from the aborted DREAM FACTORY project; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]
  6. Starfish and Coffee [recorded 20 April 1986; from the aborted DREAM FACTORY project; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987, with an added alarm clock intro]
  7. Slow Love 4.18 [recorded 4 June 1986; from the aborted DREAM FACTORY project; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]
  8. Hot Thing 5.39 [recorded 6 Aug 1986; new track; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]

  9. Crystal Ball 10.28 [recorded 17 April 1986; from the aborted DREAM FACTORY project; released on CRYSTAL BALL set, 1998]
  10. If I Was Your Girlfriend 4.54 [recorded 2 Nov 1986; from the aborted CAMILLE project; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987, with an added 15 sec intro seague]
  11. Rockhard in a Funky Place 4.32 [recorded 28 Oct 1986; from the aborted CAMILLE project; released on "BLACK ALBUM"]

  12. The Ball [recorded 25 July 1986; new track; released in SIGN O' THE TIMES Deluxe Box, 2020]
  13. Joy in Repetition [recorded 17 July 1986; new track; released on GRAFFITI BRIDGE, 1990]
  14. Strange Relationship 4.04 [1986 Remix] [remixed Oct-Nov 1986; from the aborted CAMILLE project; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]
  15. I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man 6.31 [recorded 1982, reworked 16 July 1986; from the aborted DREAM FACTORY project; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987, slightly shortened]

  16. Shockadelica 6.12 [recorded 16 Sep 1986; from the aborted CAMILLE project; released as B-side of If I was Your Girlfriend, 1987]
  17. Good Love 5.11 [recorded 30 Oct 1986; from the aborted CAMILLE project; released on BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY soundtrack, 1988 & as a slightly different edit on CRYSTAL BALL set, 1998]
  18. Forever in My Life 3.38 [recorded 7 Aug 1986; new track; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]
  19. Sign O' the Times 4.57 [recorded 15 July 1986; from the aborted DREAM FACTORY project; a slightly different version was released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]

  20. The Cross 4.46 [recorded 13 July 1986; from the aborted DREAM FACTORY project; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]
  21. It's Gonna Be a Beautiful Night 8.59 [recorded live 25 Aug 1986 at Le Zénith, Paris; vocal and instrumental overdubs recorded 22 Nov 1986; new track; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]
  22. Adore (Until the End of Time) [recorded 19 Nov 1986; new track; released on SIGN O' THE TIMES, 1987]
Contains 8 of the 26 tracks from the aborted DREAM FACTORY project, 7 of the 8 tracks from the aborted CAMILLE project (except Feel U Up), and 7 newly recorded tracks.

Seven of these 22 tracks never made it onto the final 16-track 2-LP SIGN O' THE TIMES which was released 30 March 1987 under his own name Prince (Rebirth of the Flesh, Crystal Ball, Rockhard in a Funky Place, The Ball, Joy in Repetition, Shockadelica, Good Love) and one newly recorded track "U Got the Look" was added.

Copyright (c) 2017-01-03 Jonas Wårstad.

Last update 2020-09-25.

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