You know the song. You've heard that gritty, defiant opening line about a long-haired guy just trying to get a job. It’s one of those tracks that feels like it’s been playing on a loop in every dive bar and classic rock station since the dawn of time. But when you actually sit down and look at the Signs lyrics, you realize it isn't just a catchy tune about a guy who needs a haircut. It’s a blistering, somewhat petty, and deeply relatable protest against "the man" that has managed to stay relevant for over fifty years.
Honestly, it’s kind of wild.
The song was written by Les Emmerson and performed by the Five Man Electrical Band back in 1970. It hit number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971, but if you're a bit younger, you probably know the Tesla cover from 1990. Both versions carry that same chip on the shoulder. It's a song about being judged. It’s about the barriers we put up—literally and figuratively—to keep people out.
What the Signs Lyrics are Actually Screaming About
Let’s get into the meat of it. The song is structured as a series of encounters with specific signs. Each one represents a different way society tells "the outsiders" to buzz off.
The first verse is the most iconic. Our protagonist sees a sign that basically says "Long-haired freaks need not apply." It’s 1970. The counterculture movement is in full swing, but the "establishment" is still holding onto the door handle for dear life. Emmerson wrote this after a road trip through California. He was struck by how many billboards and signs were cluttering the beautiful scenery, telling people what to do, where to go, and who they couldn't be.
Think about the sheer audacity of that first interaction. The narrator tucks his hair up under his hat, goes in to ask for the job, and the guy looks at him and says, "You look like a fine upstanding young man... I think you'll do." Then the hat comes off. The hair falls down. The job is gone. It's a classic "gotcha" moment that highlights the superficiality of the era. People weren't looking at your resume; they were looking at your sideburns.
Then we move to the "No Trespassing" sign. This part is fascinating because it taps into that universal human urge to just see what's on the other side. The sign says you'll be sued or worse, but the narrator just wants to know why the fence is even there. Is it protecting something valuable? Or is it just keeping people away for the sake of exclusion? It’s a very "get off my lawn" energy that the song pushes back against with a middle finger.
The Religious Twist Most People Forget
People usually remember the long hair and the "Property of the State" line, but the final verse of the Signs lyrics takes a sharp turn into a church.
It’s Sunday morning. The narrator walks up to a church, and what does he see? A sign. This one is asking for money—a "collection" for the Lord. He doesn't have any money. He feels excluded from a place that is supposedly for everyone. So, what does he do? He makes his own sign. He goes home, gets a piece of paper, and writes "Thank you Lord for my thinking mind / I'm eternally blue."
That part is actually pretty deep for a pop-rock song. It’s saying that spirituality doesn't need a building or a membership fee. It’s a personal connection. By putting his "sign" in his pocket, he’s reclaiming his right to exist and believe without following the rules of the institution. It's a move that feels very 1970s, but honestly, it feels very 2026 too. We’re still arguing about who belongs in which "club."
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Tesla vs. Five Man Electrical Band: The Battle of the Versions
If you grew up in the 90s, you might think Tesla wrote this. They didn't. But they did give it a second life. Their version was recorded live for the Five Man Acoustical Jam album, and it’s arguably more famous than the original today.
Jeff Keith, Tesla’s lead singer, brought a raspy, blue-collar desperation to the lyrics that Les Emmerson’s smoother delivery didn't quite have. While the 1970 version feels like a protest from a hippie, the 1990 version feels like a protest from a working-class rocker. The message, however, didn't change a bit.
Interestingly, Tesla changed a few words to make it "edgier." They added a few choice swear words in the live performance that aren't in the original radio edit. It made the song feel more like a barroom anthem and less like a folk-rock social commentary. Both versions work. They just hit different nerves depending on whether you’re wearing bell-bottoms or a flannel shirt.
Why Does This Song Still Rank on the Charts of Our Minds?
The reason the Signs lyrics haven't faded into obscurity like so many other "protest" songs is that the core conflict is eternal.
We still have signs.
Today, they aren't all physical boards on the side of the road. Sometimes they’re digital. Sometimes they’re "unwritten rules" in a corporate office or a social media algorithm. The feeling of being "not the right kind of person" for a specific space is a universal human experience.
- Employment Discrimination: Maybe it’s not long hair anymore, but it’s tattoos, or a gap in a resume, or the "wrong" degree.
- Public vs. Private Space: We’re still fighting over who gets to use land and who gets to put up fences.
- Institutional Religion: The debate over "organized religion" versus "personal spirituality" is as heated as it ever was.
The song is essentially a tantrum against gatekeeping. And who hasn't wanted to throw a tantrum against a gatekeeper?
Misconceptions and Fun Facts
A lot of people think the song is anti-American or anti-government. It’s really not. It’s more anti-authority and anti-rudeness. Les Emmerson wasn't trying to overthow the government; he was just annoyed that he couldn't enjoy a road trip without being bombarded by rules and advertisements.
One funny detail: The Five Man Electrical Band was actually a Canadian group (originally called The Staccatos). They found their biggest success in the US with this song, which is ironic considering it’s about feeling like an outsider in a land that’s supposed to be free.
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Another weird thing? The "Property of the State" line in the bridge. "Sign says 'You got to have a membership card to get inside'... Uh!" It captures that specific 70s paranoia about everything being tracked and controlled. It’s the original "Social Credit Score" complaint.
Actionable Takeaways for Music Lovers
If you're diving into the history of this track or trying to learn it on guitar, here’s how to actually appreciate it:
Listen to the Original First
Before you default to the Tesla version, find the 1970 recording by Five Man Electrical Band. Pay attention to the "sunshine pop" production juxtaposed with the angry lyrics. It’s a weird contrast that makes the song much more interesting.
Watch the "Frenemies" of the Lyrics
Notice the "fine upstanding young man" line. It's the pivot point of the whole song. It shows that the prejudice isn't about the person's character; it's about their "costume." That’s the lesson.
Apply the "Pocket Sign" Mentality
The end of the song is about internalizing your values. When the world tells you that you don't fit in, you don't need to scream back every time. Sometimes, you just need to know who you are and keep that "sign" in your pocket.
Check the Credits
If you're a musician, look at the chord progression. It’s deceptively simple (mostly A, G, and D), which is why it’s a staple for every beginning guitar player. The power isn't in the complexity; it’s in the delivery of those specific Signs lyrics.
The next time you’re driving down the highway and you see a massive billboard telling you what to buy or a "Keep Out" sign on a beautiful piece of woods, hum that chorus. It’s been the anthem of the annoyed for fifty years, and it isn't going anywhere. Change your perspective on the barriers you see today. Realize that most signs are just suggestions from people who are afraid of a little long hair—or a little bit of independent thought.
Take a closer look at the lyrics of the songs you listen to every day. Often, the ones that feel the most "dated" are actually the ones that are still telling the truth about how we treat each other. Keep your thinking mind sharp. Keep your own signs in your pocket. And maybe, just maybe, ignore the "No Trespassing" sign once in a while just to see what's on the other side of the hill.