Signs (Five Man Electrical Band)
Song:
Signs
Artist:
Five Man Electrical Band
Album:
Good-byes & Butterflies
(1971)
Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.” – Matthew 24:1-5
In this episode, we meet up with Dr. Kerry Fink, CEO of TYG Media. Our discussion is based on the Five Man Electrical Band’s song “Signs.”
PODCAST GUEST
Kerry Fink
Founder/CEO, TYG Media
Dr. Kerry Fink, CEO of TYG Media, has utilized his over 40+ years of multi-media and marketing experience, business management skills, and corporate consulting tools to offer a full-service Christian Multi-Media firm. TYG Media focuses on developing and producing movies, television, radio, print, and digital products to a wide array of clients. Some of these are AEA Ministries, Chesapeake Bible College, Transforming Your City, and the Helping Seniors Network.
For many years Kerry, and his wife Tammy, worked with major celebrities in revitalizing “Music of Your Life” into a radio network serving more than 2,000,000 listeners 24/7 coast-to-coast with America’s Adult Pop Standards. Success there led to Music of Your Life shows, cruises, music products, and more nationally and globally and a brand-name that continues today as the longest-running continuously syndicated Radio format.
The Five Man Electrical Band, formerly known as The Staccatos (1963-68), was a Canadian Rock group best known for the song “Signs.” After a few band member changes, original members Emmerson and Gerow decided to disband the Five Man Electrical Band in 1975.
The band was well-known and widely accepted in Canada – charting nearly 10 Top 25 hits in their homeland. However, in the States, “Signs” was their only real hit topping out at #3 on the Hot 100 in 1971.
They did have four other Billboard Hot 100 lesser-known tunes but never gained the same status as they achieved in their homeland.
It’s tough to find a lot of information about the Five Man Electrical Band, but a few tracks are available on YouTube. The band did reform in 1986 and continues to play a handful of shows each year.
“Signs”
song lyrics:
And the sign said, “Long-haired freaky people need not apply.”
So I tucked my hair up under my hat, and I went in to ask him why
He said, “You look like a fine upstanding young man. I think you’ll do.”
So I took off my hat, I said, “Imagine that. Huh! Me workin’ for you!”
Whoa-oh-oh
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind
Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?
And the sign said anybody caught trespassin’ would be shot on sight
So I jumped on the fence and-a yelled at the house
“Hey! What gives you the right?”
“To put up a fence to keep me out or to keep mother nature in.”
“If God was here he’d tell you to your face, man, you’re some kinda sinner.”
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind
Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?
Now, hey you, mister, can’t you read?
You’ve got to have a shirt and tie to get a seat
You can’t even watch, no you can’t eat
You ain’t supposed to be here
The sign said you got to have a membership card to get inside
Ugh!
And the sign said, “Everybody welcome. Come in, kneel down and pray.”
But when they passed around the plate at the end of it all
I didn’t have a penny to pay
So I got me a pen and a paper, and I made up my own little sign
I said, “Thank you, Lord, for thinkin’ ’bout me. I’m alive and doin’ fine.”
Wooo!
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind
Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Sign
Sign, sign
Songwriters:
Les Emmerson
Signs lyrics
© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc
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I am from the Facebook page Five Man Electrical Band and used to work for them on and off stage. A form of the band still perform (only 2 original members left). I needed to see in what context the song was being used. Personally, up to now, being tied in with a Christian podcast I never imagined.
They started as The Staccatos here in Canada and chaanged their name when they recorded Five Man Electrical Band. Of course people think this was the new version’s self titled. I was happy to see that you did not make the same mistake and stated Goodbyes was their first album.
They have tried to have a song that sounded more religious and in second album Coming Of Age song Friends And Family has the story of my father’s death in last verse who was a professional musician.
Being in a medical situation where my memory is basically non-existent, I can’t remember that song that was on verge of religious. It’s on the Sweet Paradise Album (I believe on Side 2).
Hello Gary…
Thanks for the comment. We appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your experiences with the band. We’ve tried to learn more about the band – but there’s not a whole lot we can find… Let us know if you find that song – would love to listen to it.