The Sign

The Sign
	;
Album	Songs for Peter Hughes
Released	1995
Artist	the Mountain Goats
Length	2:28
Previous Track	"Song for Dana Plato"

The Sign is a song originally by the band Ace of Base, released on their 1992 album Happy Nation. A version recorded by the Mountain Goats appeared as the fourth and final track on the EP Songs for Peter Hughes. It was re-released on the compilation Bitter Melon Farm.

Lyrics[]

(spoken) Never get tired of this one.

I've got a new life
You would hardly recognize me I'm so glad
How could a person like me care for you?
Why should I bother when you're not the one for me?

I saw the sign
And it opened up my eyes
I saw the sign
Love is demanding without understanding
Yeah I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes
I saw the sign
And no one's gonna drag you up

Under the pale moon
For so many years I've wondered who you are
How could a person like you bring me joy?
Under the pale moon where I see a lot of stars

I saw the sign
And it opened up my eyes 
I saw the sign
Love is demanding without understanding
Yeah I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes
I saw the sign
And no one's gonna drag you up
To get into the light where you belong

I saw the sign
And it opened up my eyes
I saw the sign
Love is demanding without understanding
Yeah I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes 
I saw the sign
And no one's gonna drag you up
Hey!

Comments by John Darnielle About this Song[]

"So, what's the best version of "The Sign"? the one by Ace of Base on their album of the same name" -- Mountain-goats.com Forums
"I look at 'The Sign' as a song about people seeing signs where there are none. That's the deal with 'The Sign.' It's about hallucinating something. But looking at it and understanding that the things that you hallucinate, if they are true for you, are as true as anything in the world, and you are entitled to them, and when people say that you're not, you don't have to listen to them." -- 2011-06-26 - Rhino's Youth Media Center & All-Ages Club - Plan-It-X Fest - Bloomington, IN

Things Referenced in this Song[]

Live Shows this Song Was Played at[]

Videos of this Song[]

Songs for Peter Hughes
Side One: "Short Song About the 10 Freeway" • "No, I Can't" Side Two: "Song for Dana Plato" • "The Sign"

Bitter Melon Farm

Track list: "Noche del Guajolote" • "Going to Bangor" • "Against Agamemnon" • "Going to Cleveland" • "Early Spring" • "Historiography" • "No, I Can't" • "Alpha Desperation March" • "Going to Monaco" • "Star Dusting" • "Teenage World" • "Going to Santiago" • "Sail On" • "Black Molly" • "Rain Song" • "The Bad Doctor" • "Alpha Double Negative: Going to Catalina" • "Pure Intentions" • "The Lady from Shanghai" • "Pure Love" • "Song for an Old Friend" • "Snow Song" • "Faithless Bacchant Song" • "Short Song About the 10 Freeway" • "No, I Can't" • "Song for Dana Plato" • "The Sign"