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Controversy (song)

"Controversy" is a song by American musician Prince, released in September 1981 by Warner Bros. as the lead single and title track to his fourth album (1981). The song was written and produced by him, and addresses speculation about Prince at the time such as his sexuality, gender, religion, and racial background, and how he could not understand the curiosity surrounding him. "Controversy" is considered Prince's breakthrough hit in Australia, where it peaked at number 15.[2] In the US, it peaked at numbers three and 70 on the US Billboard Soul Singles chart and Billboard Hot 100.[3] Also, along with the track, "Let's Work", "Controversy" was the first of seven number ones on the dance chart for Prince.[4] On November 29, 1993, in support of The Hits/The B-Sides, the song was once again released in the UK as a single, reaching number five on the UK Singles Chart in December 1993.[5]

Composition

The song has two main verses, a few choruses, with the title repeated throughout the track. Towards the middle he recites the Lord's Prayer in full, which fueled the fire for some to say the song was blasphemous. Toward the end is a repeating chant of "People call me rude / I wish we all were nude / I wish there was no black and white / I wish there were no rules." The song features a steady 4/4 drumbeat, synthesized bass, guitar, and keyboards. The song was backed with "When You Were Mine", from his previous album, Dirty Mind.

Live in Hawaii

"Controversy (Live in Hawaii)" is a digital single made available for sale on Prince's website on March 29, 2004. The single consists of a live performance of the song: "Controversy", recorded on tour in Hawaii in 2003. The track also saw a limited release as a CD single, only available as part of a Prince in Hawaii Gift Box, available from Prince's retail outlet.

Legacy

In 2022, Rolling Stone ranked "Controversy" number 19 in their list of the "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time".[6]

Personnel

Sourced from Benoît Clerc, Guitarcloud, Morris Day and David Ritz.[7][8][9]

  • Prince – lead and backing vocals, Oberheim OB-X, Oberheim OB-SX, electric guitars, bass guitar, Pearl SY-1 Syncussion, handclaps; possible drums
  • Lisa Coleman – backing vocals
  • Morris Day – possible drums

Charts

References

  1. ^ Wood, Mikael (April 21, 2021). "All 85 Prince singles, ranked 4 u from worst 2 best". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  3. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 471.
  4. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 357.
  5. ^ "controversy | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  6. ^ Dolan, Jon; Lopez, Julyssa; Matos, Michaelangelo; Shaffer, Claire (July 22, 2022). "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  7. ^ Clerc, Benoît (October 2022). Prince: All the Songs. Octopus. ISBN 9781784728816.
  8. ^ "Controversy". guitarcloud.org. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  9. ^ Day, Morris; Ritz, David (2019). On Time: A Princely Life in Funk. Hachette Books. ISBN 9780306922206.
  10. ^ a b "National Top 100 Singles for 1982". Kent Music Report. January 3, 1983. Retrieved January 22, 2023 – via Imgur.
  11. ^ "Prince – Controversy" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  12. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 677.
  13. ^ "Prince Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  14. ^ "Prince Chart History: Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  15. ^ "Prince: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  16. ^ "The Airplay Chart" (PDF). Music Week. December 25, 1993. p. 28. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  17. ^ "Prince – Controversy" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved August 4, 2023.