Omg!! Written by Les Emmerson when he was road-tripping on Route 66 in California! It was released in 1971, which puts me in Junior High, in a small town in California!! Yep, I’m that old but I wouldn’t trade growing up in the 60’s, 70’s, & early 80’s for anything!! SIGNS brings back a lot of memories for me!
What a great song, I was 11 when this released. Love the intro ! The building momentum, the guitar rolling in!! Very cool. And yes the stellar vocal harmonies and lead vocals!! Terrific!!
Yep, long hair was very frowned upon in the 60s and into the 70s. My favorite line is at the end though - “Thank you Lord for thinking’ about me, I’m alive and feelings’ fine!”
I love that part of this song about Long Hair. I was born 1959 and took a lot of BS because of my long hair. I had to get my hair cut in 1977-1990, Damn Navy 😂. At 65 my hair is still long with a full beard.
When I was about 12 years old, 1971 or thereabouts, "Signs" was everywhere on the radio. Super big in it's time. The line in the song that most affected me was "the sign said you got to have a membership card to get inside, unh.". At the time my family belonged to a Swim and Tennis Club, and one day while I was in the snack bar this song, and that line came on. I never went back to the club after that day.
😅 I'm retired now but as a former supervisor I really laughed at what you said. I would much rather have had somebody with long hair who was a good worker then some of the short haired people I had.
You say "Think About It" The protest songs you have just done recently gave us all something to think about. The last person you wanted to be 1965-until Sept. 28, 1971 was a healthy Male at 17 and a half years old looking at being a walk on in the V.N. war in a few months, or run to Canada, or go to prison for 5 years. That was ME. I turned 18 in April 1972 and would have been drafted.... LUCKY ME. Drugs were everywhere in O.C - So Calif being a young teenager was like a ride on a roller coaster going into the Twilight Zone.... BUT the music was awesome.
Terrific choice and handling of this song, JM. This was one of the enduring songs of my youth. By that I mean from then until now, I’ve never gotten tired of it - both the music and the message or story. Here’s something I think would be fun: a deconstructed reaction. God knows you get all kinds of suggestions and requests ranging from only a title in the declaritive voice to impassioned arguments (not at odds, building a case). I’d love to see you choose a song by whichever method you like - something you have seen requested a lot. Film the video. Then edit in a piece at the beginning of the reaction video with 45 seconds to 1 min of you persuading us to listen to this one. I know you could pull it off with a smile while bringing a smile to those who hear it.
I was about 5ish when this came out. This song was everywhere back then. The power of music back then was amazing! I had really young parents and the music they listened to will forever be in my soul:) This was a very important song for the times.
This is cool.... "I recently dipped into the rabbit hole that is the Rock genre, come join me as I discover the many gems that have captivated the masses!".... YES you have dipped into the masses rabbit hole material.
I remember back when I was in Cub Scouts and we did a tour of CFTO Channel 9 in Toronto and we went through the makeup room where these guys were sitting getting their makeup done as they used to play a fair bit on TV and one the band members had this really cool beard and I said to him that we Nick named him Daddio cause he used to really jig on stage and bob his head up and down like a big daddy but he didnt seem all that amused...in fact they all had this expression like what are all these kids doing here?!! I guess we didnt read the "Sign"...no kids allowed in here. LOL!! That's a big difference from when my brother and I were hoisted onto the shoulders of these 2 Hippies who were jigging to the music of MashMakahn at the CNE Bandshell in 1970 playing their 1 hit wonder, As The Years Go By, and they pointed us out and called us 2 cool cats as the crowd went nuts!! Their drummer Jerry Mercer left the band and joined a decent band called April Wine..Ooo Wadda Night!!
The band TESLA did a great version of the song on a live record they put out called ”Five Man Acoustical Jam” Solid record/video from TESLA Worth a look
When I worked at a Meatpacking Plant I went into a break room and the young guys were listening/watching Tesla singing this song. I said that's a cover of an old song from my younger days and the arguing began 😂.
I can tell you were really liking this song....that was awesome. Grew up in this era. The 70's was the best musical era if you asked me. Great reaction.
Imagine you're driving in your car and the radio plays these two new songs from Santana Back To Back, as they are on the Abraxas album. for decades they were played this way.... Santana - Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen / Oye Como Va (1970)
Right, & look closely at the world today. The signs are even MORE disturbing. The rock band, Tesla, has a GREAT cover of this classic. Thanks for your reaction.
I know you love the Doobie Brothers…..SO try this one….released between Listen to the Music and Long Train Runnin was “JESUS IS JUST ALRIGHT”. Check it out!! I think you’ll enjoy it! Another great by the Doobie Brothers! 😊
Great reaction, JM! Hey, you should check out "Spirit In The Sky" by Norman Greenbaum, released in 1969. It was a huge hit back in the early 70s, and I think you would really love it! Thanks again for this great choice and reaction! ✌💙✌ Spirit In The Sky - th-cam.com/video/AZQxH_8raCI/w-d-xo.html
It's all about how society tries to hem you in and control you, your appearance, attitude, everything and that it's a sin to do so. I just found your channel so I don't know if you have reacted to it yet, but another great song in a similar vein is by Styx - The Grand Illusion. I guarantee you will want to pull up the lyrics to read along as they sing though. It has a great message
"SIGNS" And the sign says "long hair freaky people need not apply" So I put my hair under my hat and I went in to ask him why He said you look like a fine outstanding young man I think you'll do So I took off my hat I said "Imagine that Huh Me working for you" Signs Signs Everywhere there's signs Fucking up the scenery Breaking my mind Do this, don't do that Can't you read the sign And the sign says "Anybody caught trespassing will be shot on sight" So I jumped the fence and I yelled at the house, Hey! What gives you the right To put up a fence And keep me out Or to keep Mother Nature in If God was here He'd tell it to your face Man You're some kind of sinner Signs Signs Everywhere there's signs Fucking up the scenery Breaking my mind Do this, don't do that Can't you read the sign Oh Say now mister Can't you read You got to have a shirt and tie to get a seat You can't watch No You can't eat You ain't supposed to be here And the sign says "You got to have a membership card to get inside" Huh And the sign says "Everybody welcome Come in Kneel down and pray" But then they passed around a plate at the end of it all And I didn't have a penny to pay So I got me a pen and paper And I made up my own fucking sign I said Thank you Lord for thinking about me I'm alive and doing fine Signs Signs Everywhere there's signs Fucking up the scenery Breaking my mind Do this, don't do that Can't you read the sign Signs Signs Everywhere there's signs Fucking up the scenery Breaking my mind Do this, don't do that Can't you read the sign
These days young Americans can barely read. Our Constitution is written in cursive and even the ones that can read can't read it. All they know is text font. Please teach your children how to swim and to read before they go to school. Save their lives.
I attended a boarding school 900 miles from home. If you could not swim 4 laps in their Olympic size swimming pool they wouldn’t graduate you. I was a good swimmer but always appreciated that requirement squeezed in between very high academic and behavior standards and mandatory athletics all 3 high school seasons. All fir a good reason.
JM... you have hit another Classic Protest song that many of us have heard countless times and know every word. AWESOME again. Thanks again.
A classic rock staple on our radios back in the day.
Omg!! Written by Les Emmerson when he was road-tripping on Route 66 in California! It was released in 1971, which puts me in Junior High, in a small town in California!! Yep, I’m that old but I wouldn’t trade growing up in the 60’s, 70’s, & early 80’s for anything!! SIGNS brings back a lot of memories for me!
What a great song, I was 11 when this released. Love the intro ! The building momentum, the guitar rolling in!! Very cool. And yes the stellar vocal harmonies and lead vocals!! Terrific!!
Yep, long hair was very frowned upon in the 60s and into the 70s.
My favorite line is at the end though - “Thank you Lord for thinking’ about me, I’m alive and feelings’ fine!”
I love that part of this song about Long Hair. I was born 1959 and took a lot of BS because of my long hair. I had to get my hair cut in 1977-1990, Damn Navy 😂. At 65 my hair is still long with a full beard.
Same here. Born in '59 , Marines in '77. Still have long hair too !!!
When I was about 12 years old, 1971 or thereabouts, "Signs" was everywhere on the radio. Super big in it's time. The line in the song that most affected me was "the sign said you got to have a membership card to get inside, unh.". At the time my family belonged to a Swim and Tennis Club, and one day while I was in the snack bar this song, and that line came on. I never went back to the club after that day.
😅 I'm retired now but as a former supervisor I really laughed at what you said. I would much rather have had somebody with long hair who was a good worker then some of the short haired people I had.
Hippie anthem and I still love it.
I built the Fender Rhodes Electric Piano used in this song.... and hundreds more used in Classic Rock from the 70s
You say "Think About It" The protest songs you have just done recently gave us all something to think about. The last person you wanted to be 1965-until Sept. 28, 1971 was a healthy Male at 17 and a half years old looking at being a walk on in the V.N. war in a few months, or run to Canada, or go to prison for 5 years. That was ME. I turned 18 in April 1972 and would have been drafted.... LUCKY ME. Drugs were everywhere in O.C - So Calif being a young teenager was like a ride on a roller coaster going into the Twilight Zone.... BUT the music was awesome.
I was 9-10 years old..60's lady here. Great song!
Hey there friend .. 60’s lady here, too!
Thank Lord for thinking about me, I'm alive and doing fine. One my favorite lines in any song.
One of the COOLEST EVER!!! So true…..😊
I love your channel
Thank you!!!
Excellent reaction, as usual. One of your best ever, very insightful.... SMART
KUDOS to the Drummer
Terrific choice and handling of this song, JM. This was one of the enduring songs of my youth. By that I mean from then until now, I’ve never gotten tired of it - both the music and the message or story.
Here’s something I think would be fun: a deconstructed reaction. God knows you get all kinds of suggestions and requests ranging from only a title in the declaritive voice to impassioned arguments (not at odds, building a case). I’d love to see you choose a song by whichever method you like - something you have seen requested a lot. Film the video. Then edit in a piece at the beginning of the reaction video with 45 seconds to 1 min of you persuading us to listen to this one. I know you could pull it off with a smile while bringing a smile to those who hear it.
I was about 5ish when this came out. This song was everywhere back then. The power of music back then was amazing! I had really young parents and the music they listened to will forever be in my soul:) This was a very important song for the times.
This is cool.... "I recently dipped into the rabbit hole that is the Rock genre, come join me as I discover the many gems that have captivated the masses!".... YES you have dipped into the masses rabbit hole material.
The band Tesla did a banger of a cover of this classic song. Check that out too!
Now maybe try Rare Earth's 'I Just Want To Celebrate' from their 1971 album One World💫
Yup, rock and roll 🤘❤️
I remember back when I was in Cub Scouts and we did a tour of CFTO Channel 9 in Toronto and we went through the makeup room where these guys were sitting getting their makeup done as they used to play a fair bit on TV and one the band members had this really cool beard and I said to him that we Nick named him Daddio cause he used to really jig on stage and bob his head up and down like a big daddy but he didnt seem all that amused...in fact they all had this expression like what are all these kids doing here?!! I guess we didnt read the "Sign"...no kids allowed in here. LOL!! That's a big difference from when my brother and I were hoisted onto the shoulders of these 2 Hippies who were jigging to the music of MashMakahn at the CNE Bandshell in 1970 playing their 1 hit wonder, As The Years Go By, and they pointed us out and called us 2 cool cats as the crowd went nuts!! Their drummer Jerry Mercer left the band and joined a decent band called April Wine..Ooo Wadda Night!!
Remember those days very well.
What a great reaction
The band TESLA did a great version of the song on a live record they put out called ”Five Man Acoustical Jam” Solid record/video from TESLA Worth a look
When I worked at a Meatpacking Plant I went into a break room and the young guys were listening/watching Tesla singing this song. I said that's a cover of an old song from my younger days and the arguing began 😂.
That’s funny. Yeah us salty old dogs remember when it came out,
I believe I was in middle school. When Tesla did it I became a fan.
Woop 🙌 great reaction!!! 😊
Great Canadian Group and Song from the Past. This song always brings to mind the song *"Dear God"* by XTC, due to it's Thought Provoking Message.
I can tell you were really liking this song....that was awesome. Grew up in this era. The 70's was the best musical era if you asked me. Great reaction.
You are Absolutely Right.
Imagine you're driving in your car and the radio plays these two new songs from Santana Back To Back, as they are on the Abraxas album. for decades they were played this way.... Santana - Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen / Oye Como Va (1970)
th-cam.com/video/8QMsOj9Z9Xk/w-d-xo.html
Right, & look closely at the world today. The signs are even MORE disturbing. The rock band, Tesla, has a GREAT cover of this classic. Thanks for your reaction.
The BOZ MAN..... I built the Fender Rhodes Electric Piano used in this extraordinary song from the Silk Degrees album....Harbor Lights
th-cam.com/video/ufkPKw3_J7I/w-d-xo.html
I know you love the Doobie Brothers…..SO try this one….released between Listen to the Music and Long Train Runnin was “JESUS IS JUST ALRIGHT”. Check it out!! I think you’ll enjoy it! Another great by the Doobie Brothers! 😊
Great reaction, JM! Hey, you should check out "Spirit In The Sky" by Norman Greenbaum, released in 1969. It was a huge hit back in the early 70s, and I think you would really love it! Thanks again for this great choice and reaction! ✌💙✌
Spirit In The Sky - th-cam.com/video/AZQxH_8raCI/w-d-xo.html
It's all about how society tries to hem you in and control you, your appearance, attitude, everything and that it's a sin to do so. I just found your channel so I don't know if you have reacted to it yet, but another great song in a similar vein is by Styx - The Grand Illusion. I guarantee you will want to pull up the lyrics to read along as they sing though. It has a great message
I think they had another hit with Money Back Guarantee
You should check out their video from 8 years ago the remake of this song
"SIGNS"
And the sign says "long hair freaky people need not apply"
So I put my hair under my hat and I went in to ask him why
He said you look like a fine outstanding young man I think you'll do
So I took off my hat I said "Imagine that Huh Me working for you"
Signs Signs
Everywhere there's signs
Fucking up the scenery
Breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that
Can't you read the sign
And the sign says "Anybody caught trespassing will be shot on sight"
So I jumped the fence and I yelled at the house, Hey! What gives you the right
To put up a fence And keep me out Or to keep Mother Nature in
If God was here He'd tell it to your face Man You're some kind of sinner
Signs Signs
Everywhere there's signs
Fucking up the scenery
Breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that
Can't you read the sign
Oh Say now mister Can't you read
You got to have a shirt and tie to get a seat
You can't watch No You can't eat You ain't supposed to be here
And the sign says "You got to have a membership card to get inside" Huh
And the sign says "Everybody welcome Come in Kneel down and pray"
But then they passed around a plate at the end of it all
And I didn't have a penny to pay
So I got me a pen and paper And I made up my own fucking sign
I said Thank you Lord for thinking about me I'm alive and doing fine
Signs Signs
Everywhere there's signs
Fucking up the scenery
Breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that
Can't you read the sign
Signs Signs
Everywhere there's signs
Fucking up the scenery
Breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that
Can't you read the sign
❤
OHW. But they had many good tunes.
Another excellent analysis..."A Complete Moron".... I just had to LOL.... There are plenty of them out there, be careful.
Do werewolf by them. I dare ya.
Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson - Pancho and Lefty (Video)
th-cam.com/video/UoKvUYbGu7A/w-d-xo.html
i'm a stranger here is another great song by them. the album version(4:08) is superior to the single version (3;40)
Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson Luckenbach Texas song
th-cam.com/video/evtmVZFeooA/w-d-xo.html
Long hair was bad! Lol
These days young Americans can barely read. Our Constitution is written in cursive and even the ones that can read can't read it. All they know is text font. Please teach your children how to swim and to read before they go to school. Save their lives.
I attended a boarding school 900 miles from home. If you could not swim 4 laps in their Olympic size swimming pool they wouldn’t graduate you. I was a good swimmer but always appreciated that requirement squeezed in between very high academic and behavior standards and mandatory athletics all 3 high school seasons. All fir a good reason.