SCORPIONS – “Sign of Hope” (2020 single)
The Scorpions, in the midst of writing their next album, are the latest band to release a lockdown single in 2020. It will come as no surprise that it’s a ballad. “Sign of Hope” is a reassuring song from the guys who know how to write ballads (and reaaaally know how to paaartaaaaaaay!). Of course a ballad is appropriate for these sombre times. “Sign of Hope” sounds like Scorpions circa 1996, the Pure Instinct album. It’s gentle and peaceful. For accompaniment, it’s primarily acoustic guitars, with slight electric guitar accents that pop in and out. It’s actually quite a good ballad, short and to the point. The sparse arrangement really lets us hear the nuances of guitar, and Klaus Meine’s voice. It’s well written and memorable enough.
One could ask, “Why do we need another Scorpions ballad?” Perhaps the simplest answer is because the Scorpions are still around making music. So why not? Will they ever top “Still Loving You” or “In Trance”? It doesn’t matter, because they are in their 55th year and are still creating.
“I see empty places, empty roads,” sings Klaus, and though the streets are fuller now it’s hard to forget the sight of a deserted world. It also strangely seems like such a long time ago that this all began. But the Scorpions reassure us that “it’s gonna be alright,” and eventually it will be. We are getting there. We are indeed seeing signs of hope, but everybody needs to treat themselves well. So treat yourself to some music and grab the new Scorpions on iTunes.
3/5 stars
I also really like the single artwork, I think it’s striking and has several layers of meaning. It’s also nice to see the word CANADA so prominently!
You see this podcast? An investigation into the idea that the CIA wrote a Scorpions song to take down the Soviet Union: https://crooked.com/podcast-series/wind-of-change/
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Yep great podcast.. the evidence is there, that’s for sure.. just look at the lyrics written for all of the other songs on the album and then you get the scholarly Winds of Change. Something is a miss. Lol
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Ha! Something is indeed a miss. Conspiracy Theory!
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Love the cover Mike but not the song so much. It’s not giving me hope at this point in time. Lol.
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Not bad and smart move to keep it short as you mentioned.
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I believe the 55th Anniversary is known as the ‘Emerald’ Anniversary – so happy Emerald, Scorpions!
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Did the CIA write this one? And do you notice that Canada is prominent on the middle finger! Are they trying to tell us something?
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Have u listened to this one? Cornell talking about his youth and stuff. Kinda like the stories u have been writing. Good stuff. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5ryfhYO8ck
WTF with Marc Maron – Chris Cornell Interview
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then stumbled into this one http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-948-paul-mccartney
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Surprised to liking that Scorpions song. Thanks for posting it. Like the cover too. So never mind it’s a middle finger?
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This song has made me lose all hope.
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