Song of the Day 11/3: Five Man Electrical Band, “Signs”

Before I left America, I noticed that most stores, and virtually every restaurant, had a “help wanted” sign in the window. The situation is so dire, some internet wag noted, that long-haired freaky people can now apply. I spend about an hour a day walking around Paris, and so far I’ve seen one (1) “help wanted” sign — and it was in both French and English at a touristy cafe on the Left Bank.

Though they had a decent run in their native Canada, this was the only American hit for the Five Man Electrical Band. It was first released on their 1970 album “Goodbyes and Butterflies” and — this might sound familiar — as the B-side of a single that flopped. Someone at the record company had a eureka moment and re-released the 45 the next year with the sides reversed, and the tune soared to No. 3 on the Hot 100.

Frontman Les Emmerson wrote the song after a drive through California, where he grew frustrated by the fact that, unlike in their homeland, countless billboards cluttered the views of the scenery.

In 1990, before some South African con man stole their name, Sacramento hair metal band Tesla covered the tune for its “Five Man Acoustical Jam” LP. Their version made it to No. 8 on the Hot 100. The recording was made at Philadelphia’s Trocadero Theatre.