Sign of the Times (Petula Clark song)

"Sign of the Times"
"Sign of the Times"
Single by Petula Clark
from the album My Love
B-side	"Time for Love"
Released	March 1966
Recorded	1966
Genre	Pop
Length	2:55
Label	Pye 7N 17071 (UK) ; Warner Bros. (US) ; Vogue STU 42223 (DEN)
Songwriter(s)	Tony Hatch; Jackie Trent
Producer(s)	Tony Hatch
Petula Clark singles chronology

"Sign of the Times", also known as "A Sign of the Times", is a song performed by Petula Clark, featured on her album My Love and released as a single in March 1966. It was the follow-up to her #1 US hit "My Love," the title track from the aforementioned album, and it continued her association with writer/producer Tony Hatch and songwriter Jackie Trent. However, "Sign of the Times" had a more percussive sound than had been evident on Clark's previous singles, or than would become evident on her later ones.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4] Clark discussed the song with Carl Wiser for Songfacts.com in 2013. "I loved it. It had a slightly different feel. 'A Sign of the Times,' I suppose you might expect some big political statement or something, but it was just a straight-ahead love song. I think Tony rather liked finding titles that made you think, like 'Don't Sleep in the Subway.' People would think, is it about drugs? Is it about this? And these were just straightforward songs. I like 'Sign of the Times.' I think it's a good song."

^ Simon Frith Popular music. Vol. 4: Music and identity 2004- Page 287 ".."Who Am I?" was the fourth in a remarkable series of songs which established the American career of Petula Clark. Released in 1966 and preceded the year before by "Sign of the Times" and "My Love," it laid to rest any uncharitable notion ..."
^ Paul Simpson The Rough guide to cult pop 2003- Page 133 "Much of the other pop he produced and/or co-wrote is listenable, though some is risible. Many songs, like Petula Clark's Sign Of The Times, are almost too infectious. The hook is ruthless, the backing so bright and breezy you almost forget it's ..."
^ Billboard 22 Oct 1966 - Page 15 SIGN OF THE TIMES-Petula Clark, Warner Bros. 5802
^ Georges Leroux Partita for Glenn Gould: An Inquiry Into the Nature of Genius 2010 Page 221 "It was in a truck stop along Highway 17 that Gould discovered Petula Clark's songs: first “Who Am I?,” then “Sign of the Times,” “My Love,” and finally “Downtown.” He stayed in a motel in Marathon and listened to them all. I am attracted to this ..."

[1] Simon Frith Popular music. Vol. 4: Music and identity 2004- Page 287 ".."Who Am I?" was the fourth in a remarkable series of songs which established the American career of Petula Clark. Released in 1966 and preceded the year before by "Sign of the Times" and "My Love," it laid to rest any uncharitable notion ..."

[2] Paul Simpson The Rough guide to cult pop 2003- Page 133 "Much of the other pop he produced and/or co-wrote is listenable, though some is risible. Many songs, like Petula Clark's Sign Of The Times, are almost too infectious. The hook is ruthless, the backing so bright and breezy you almost forget it's ..."

[3] Billboard 22 Oct 1966 - Page 15 SIGN OF THE TIMES-Petula Clark, Warner Bros. 5802

[4] Georges Leroux Partita for Glenn Gould: An Inquiry Into the Nature of Genius 2010 Page 221 "It was in a truck stop along Highway 17 that Gould discovered Petula Clark's songs: first “Who Am I?,” then “Sign of the Times,” “My Love,” and finally “Downtown.” He stayed in a motel in Marathon and listened to them all. I am attracted to this ..."

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