Sign O’ The Times [Live in Rotterdam 1987] Prince album

Warner Records

album

On 29 August 2025, in conjunction with the IMAX theatrical limited release of Sign O’ The Times movie, The Prince Estate, in partnership with Warner Records, released a previously unreleased version of the concert opener from the Sign O’ The Times Tour. Sign O’ The Times [Live in Rotterdam 1987] is the original audio from the live recording captured at the show staged at Rotterdam’s Sportpaleis Ahoy’ on 27 June 1987. It was released in 2025 as a standalone digital single, available on all major streaming platforms as an Dolby Atmos mix created by Prince’s former engineer, Chris James.

The IMAX presentation the single accompanies received a limited worldwide theatrical release from 29 to 31 August 2025, to return Prince to the big screen and introduce him to a new generation of fans. It follows the screening of Purple Rain likewise upgraded with Dolby Atmos sound, which on 5 March 2025 received a one-day cinema release at AMC theatre locations in the US and ODEON in the UK.

It may be the greatest concert film ever made.

The original Sign O’ The Times movie was conceived in June 1987 when Prince chose not to continue the tour to the US. To allow his US fans to experience the show, a Dutch film crew was hired to capture the three shows Prince staged in Rotterdam when nearing the conclusion of the 34-date European tour. Unhappy with this footage, Prince reshot the whole performance at Paisley Park Studios that July. The usable footage from the live shows was edited into the newly shot scenes and interwoven additional scenes to incorporate a narrative for a cinema release. The movie was shown in 234 screens in November 1987, but found a new audience in 1988 when issued on VHS and the sales certified Platinum.

In 2025, the original movie was restored with upgraded visuals and clean sound, and was issued in a partnership between the Estate, Mercury Studios, and FilmRise as an IMAX presentation. The release of the track Sign O’ The Times [Live In Rotterdam 1987] coincided with the opening day of the screening. In this original recording, Prince welcomes the audience with “Holland”, which in the subsequent Paisley Park reshoot changed to “Uptown”.

Performers

Guitar / Vocals

Prince

Marching drum

Sheila E

Wally Safford

Gregory Brooks

Boni Boyer

Eric Leeds

Atlanta Bliss

Miko Weaver

Levi Seacer

Data

Producer

Chris James

Label

NPG Records

Distribution

Warner Records

Released

11 months ago on 29 August 2025

Running Time

5:21

US Chart Peak

Did not chart

UK Chart Peak

Did not chart

Orig. Formats

Tracklist

1. Sign O’ The Times [Live In Rotterdam 1987] (5:21)

Sign O’ The Times [Live in Rotterdam 1987] review

Official releases have become a rarity since the new Estate took over the management of Prince’s catalogue and legacy in 2022 and have come under intense criticism from fans, that under them Prince’s legacy has stagnated. The last physical issue was back in October 2023, and despite promises, the wait continues. One look at the faces who attend the annual Celebration at Paisley Park will reveal that his fanbase is not getting any younger. The IMAX release of Sign O’ The Times movie is to intended to introduce Prince to a younger audience, as is the (delayed) Purple Rain Broadway musical. They are parts to a long-term strategy that’s come about because Prince stripped streaming services of his catalogue due to misgivings about his royalties. While his ambition was a just cause, having famously paved the way for artists’ rights, it denied a generation access to his catalogue and visibility of him suffered in result. There is ground to be made up.

Silence from the Prince Estate, distracted with a never-ending merry-go-round of legal battles which has not helped matters – indeed quite the reverse – they are seemingly uninterested in making money. The core fanbase is weary and looking forward to the promise of the ‘freed’ vault finally being realised. With so much focus on Purple Rain, subject of a two-year-long (fumbled) celebration that delivered a disappointing purple splatter coloured vinyl of the LP, Sign O’ The Times too is given another go in the spotlight, with an IMAX presentation and supporting single, an original audio from the 1987 tour. The clarity of the newly restored recording brings new life into this show and of course is awesome. Another token one-off song however is yet a further demonstration of deepening lack of vision and ambition of those granted the responsibility and privilege to maintain Prince’s legacy – which saw more creativity when handled by a bank. Originality need to come back – and quick. Around The World In A Day and Parade, fans hope (but do not expect) could just be around the corner. They want to perfect releases to best serve Prince legacy, so says the Estate. Inertia, however, will be its detriment.

Sign O’ The Times [Live in Rotterdam 1987] is rated 4 out of 5 by Goldies Parade.

Related release

Sign O’ The Times [movie]

Palace Pictures • 1987

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