见证时代 (2017)

"Sign of the Times" is the debut solo single by British singer-songwriter Harry Styles from his first solo album, Harry Styles. Released on 7 April 2017 by Columbia Records, the song was initially written by Jeff Bhasker, Mitch Rowland, Ryan Nasci, Alex Salibian, with Styles earning songwriter credit by contributing. It was produced by Bhasker and co-produced by Salibian and Johnson. Musically, it was described by critics as a pop rock and soft rock ballad. Its accompanying music video was released on 8 May 2017.

"Sign of the Times" peaked at the top of the UK Singles Chart and number four in the United States. In 2018, the single won a BMI Pop Award, and the video won a Brit Award for British Artist Video of the Year. In 2021, Rolling Stone placed it at number 428 on its list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Background and release

Rumours about Styles embarking on a solo career sparked in 2015, when it was reported that Sony Music wanted Styles to release a solo album during One Direction's hiatus. By the end of 2015, four new songs written and performed by Styles were registered on the ASCAP online database, which was believed to be for his potential debut solo album at the time. Shortly after, Styles signed with American agent Jeffrey Azoff and inked a record contract with Columbia Records. In September 2016, Styles appeared on the cover of Another Man, which led to media speculation about a new album on the horizon.

In February 2017, the CEO of Columbia Records, Rob Stringer, revealed that the album was close to being finished and called it "authentic". A month later, it was reported that the album sounded like David Bowie and Queen, and was later revealed to have been executively produced by Grammy award-winning producer Jeff Bhasker (Kanye West, Fun, Mark Ronson). The same report also hinted that the lead single would be released in late April or early May and sounded "like it would be a smash in any decade". The same month, US radio host Elvis Duran accidentally revealed during his show that Styles' debut single would be released on 7 April 2017. On 25 March, Styles teased the new single with a television ad during The Voice UK. On 31 March, the singer revealed through social media that his single is titled "Sign of the Times". On 7 April, the song premiered during Nick Grimshaw's breakfast show on BBC Radio 1.

Composition

The song is a pop rock, soft rock, piano ballad, with glam rock influences. According to Billboard, it "folds in psychedelic soul, indie rock and spacey pop". The "apocalyptic" power ballad shows influences from '70s British rock. The track was co-written by Jeff Bhasker, Alex Salibian and Tyler Johnson. Also credited were Mitch Rowland, Ryan Nasci, and Styles (who received the top credit). Rowland played guitar and drums, Nasci the bass, and Bhasker the piano, keyboard and lap steel parts. A 25 voice choir provided harmonies throughout the song. The track was recorded at Village Studios in Los Angeles and Geejam Hotel Recording Studio in Port Antonio, Jamaica, and was mixed by Spike Stent. "Sign of the Times" is composed in the key of F major and set in a 44 time signature at a moderately slow tempo of 60 beats per minute.