"Sign o' the Times" (also stylized as Sign "☮" the Times) is the lead single from American musician Prince's 1987 album of the same name. The song was originally intended for two separate Prince albums meant to be released in 1986, that were both shelved: Dream Factory and Crystal Ball. (Many of the tracks from both of these albums ended up on the album Sign o' the Times.) Prince sings and performs the entire track except for some backing vocals by then-girlfriend Susannah Melvoin. "Sign o' the Times" was written on a Sunday, when Prince usually wrote his most introspective songs. The song proved popular upon release, topping the R&B chart, and reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Rolling Stone ranked "Sign o' the Times" #304 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 1987, both NME and Village Voice‍ '​s Pazz & Jop critics' poll named "Sign o' the Times" the best single of the year.