Single: Controversy

1981: Gotta Stop (Messin’ About) ◄

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Controversy

Single details Released: 2 September 1981 - US release 9 October 1981 - UK release Related album: Controversy Label(s): Warner Bros. Non-Album track(s): Controversy (Edit) (3:35) Controversy (Edit) (Mono) (3:35) Charts, Certifications & Awards Charts America Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart USA: Billboard Hot Soul Singles 26 Sep. 1981 3 20 USA: Billboard Disco Top 80(Listed with Let’s Work) 3 Oct. 1981 1 (6) 30 USA: Billboard Hot 100 24 Oct. 1981 70 9   Europe Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart The Netherlands: Single Top 100 21 Nov. 1981 28 5 France: Show Magazine Singles Chart 5 Mar. 1982 47 4 Certifications This single has not received any certifications in the USA Awards This single has not received any awards in the USA See also Controversy (Music video) Controversy ('93 UK reissue)

Controversy was the first single from Prince’s fourth album Controversy. It was released six weeks before the album, and received release worldwide. The b-side, When You Were Mine, was taken from the previous album Dirty Mind. The single reached only number 70 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart, but was much more successful on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles Chart, where it reached number 3. The pair Controversy/Let’s Work reached number 1 on the Billboard Disco Top 80 where it remained at the top position for 6 consecutive weeks; it was the first Prince penned songs to achieve such status in this chart. Controversy was also released as a single in the UK in 1993 in conjunction with The Hits 2 and The Hits / The B-Sides; since the tracklisting and artwork were completely different, it is listed separately (see Controversy for details). Track listing 7" 12" A. Controversy (Edit) (3:35) B. When You Were Mine (3:44) Cat #: US/CAN: WBS 49808 UK: K 17866 NL: WB 17866 FR: 17 866 AU: MX213145-6 A. Controversy (7:14) B. When You Were Mine (3:44) Cat #: UK: K 17866T NL: WB 26195 AU: MX213145-6 See individual tracks and related albums for credits. Other Formats 7" Promo 12" Promo (US: WBS 49808) A. Controversy (Edit) (Stereo) (3:35) B. Controversy (Edit) (Mono) (3:35) 7" 1988 Back-To-Back Hits (US: 7-21981) A. Controversy (Edit) (3:35) B. Uptown (Edit) (4:09) (US: PRO-A-980) A. Controversy (Edit) (3:35) B. Controversy (Long Version) (7:14) (FR: PRO 530) A. Controversy (Edit) (3:39) B. Controversy (Edit) (3:39) This single wasn’t released in any other formats.

Releases
7", 12", CD, Cassettes and Other versions
Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2 USA 7" WBS 49808 UK 7" K 17866 Variants, Special Editions and Reissues Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2 USA 7" 7-21981 Back To back hits reissue

Additional Information Promotion (at time of release) Triva Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart progression: Entry position 84 (26 Sep. 81), 53 (3 Oct. 81), 34 (10 Oct. 81), 19 (17 Oct. 81), 12 (24 Oct. 81), 8 (31 Oct. 81), 5 (7 Nov. 81), 4 (14 Nov. 81), 3 (21 Nov. 81), 3 (28 Nov. 81), 3 (5 Dec. 81), 3 (12 Dec. 81), 4 (19 Dec. 81), 4 (26 Dec. 81), 4 (2 Jan. 82), 4 (9 Jan. 82), 11 (16 Jan. 82), 13 (23 Jan. 82), 33 (30 Jan. 82), exit position 92 (6 Feb. 82). Weeks in Top 10: 11, weeks in Top 40: 17. Billboard Disco Top 80 chart progression: Entry position 68 (3 Oct. 81), 40 (10 Oct. 81), 19 (17 Oct. 81), 8 (24 Oct. 81), 3 (31 Oct. 81), 3 (7 Nov. 81), 1 (14 Nov. 81), 1 (21 Nov. 81), 1 (28 Nov. 81), 1 (5 Dec. 81), 1 (12 Dec. 81), 1 (19 Dec. 81), 4 (26 Dec. 81), ?? (2 Jan. 82), 8 (9 Jan. 82), 12 (16 Jan. 82), 17 (23 Jan. 82), 40 (30 Jan. 82), 53 (6 Feb. 82), exit position 74 (13 Feb. 82). Weeks in Top 10: 12, weeks in Top 40: 17. More information needed. Billboard Hot 100 chart progression: Entry position 90 (24 Oct. 81), 80 (31 Oct. 81), 77 (7 Nov. 81), 74 (14 Nov. 81), 70 (21 Nov. 81), 70 (28 Nov. 81), 76 (5 Dec. 81), 81 (12 Dec. 81), exit position 97 (19 Dec. 81). Weeks in Top 10: 0, weeks in Top 40: 0. References The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince (2004) charts: Dutchcharts.nl / Controversy Billboard Hot 100 Charts - The Eighties by Joel Whitburn (ISBN 0-89820-079-2) The Billboard Book Of Top 40 R&B and Hip-Hop Hits by Joel Whitburn (ISBN 0-8230-8283-0) Top R&B Singles 1942 - 1999 by Joel Whitburn (ISBN 0-89820-136-5) Hot Dance/Disco 1974-2003 by Joel Withburn. (ISBN 0-89820-156-X)

1981 Gotta Stop (Messin’ About)

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1981 Sexuality