Difference between revisions of "Album: Controversy"

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|album name            = Controversy
 
|album name            = Controversy
 
|album image            = [[File:Controversy.jpg]]
 
|album image            = [[File:Controversy.jpg]]
|date                  = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/October_14|14 October, 1981]] (USA)<br>[[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/November_13|13 November, 1981]] (UK)
+
|date                  = [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/October_14|14 October 1981]] (USA)<br>
 +
[[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/November_13|13 November 1981]] (UK)
 
|length                = 37:18  
 
|length                = 37:18  
 
|label                  = [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Records Warner Bros. Records]
 
|label                  = [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Records Warner Bros. Records]
|studios                = [[Kiowa Trail Home Studio]], Chanhassen, MN, USA; [http://hollywoodsoundstudios.com/ Hollywood Sound Recorders], Los Angeles, CA, USA; [[Sunset Sound]], Hollywood, CA, USA
+
|studios                = [[Kiowa Trail Home Studio]], Chanhassen, MN, USA; [[Hollywood Sound Recorders]], Los Angeles, CA, USA; [[Sunset Sound]], Hollywood, CA, USA
 
|previous year          = 1980
 
|previous year          = 1980
 
|next year              = 1982
 
|next year              = 1982
Line 14: Line 15:
 
|previous album link    = [[Album: Dirty Mind|Dirty Mind]]
 
|previous album link    = [[Album: Dirty Mind|Dirty Mind]]
 
|next album link        = [[Album: 1999|1999]]
 
|next album link        = [[Album: 1999|1999]]
|introduction          = [[Album: Controversy|Controversy]] is the fourth full-length studio album by [[Prince]]. It was released worldwide in October, 1981 (twelve months after his previous album, [[Album: Dirty Mind|Dirty Mind]]).
+
|introduction          = [[Album: Controversy|Controversy]] is the fourth full-length studio album by [[Prince]]. It was released worldwide in October 1981 (twelve months after his previous album, [[Album: Dirty Mind|Dirty Mind]]).
  
  
<b>Recording process</b>
+
<b>Sessions and compiling</b>
  
Specific recording dates for most of the album's tracks are not known. The album was completed at [[Sunset Sound]], Hollywood, CA, USA, between [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/August_14|14]]-[[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/August_23|23 August, 1981]].
+
Specific recording dates for most of the album’s tracks are not known. The album was completed at [[Sunset Sound]] in Hollywood, California, between [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/August_14|14]]-[[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/August_23|23 August 1981]].
  
[[Do Me, Baby]] was initially recorded in February, 1979, and was written by [[André Cymone]] (although it was credited to [[Prince]] on the album). The version included on the album is a re-recording from the album sessions, however, which took place in Spring and Summer 1981, at [[Prince]]'s [[Kiowa Trail Home Studio]], Chanhassen, MN, USA and [[Hollywood Sound Recorders]], Los Angeles, CA, USA.  
+
[[Do Me, Baby]] was initially recorded in February 1978, and was written by [[André Cymone]] (although it was credited to [[Prince]] on the album). The version included on the album is a re-recording from the album sessions, however, which took place in Spring and Summer 1981, at [[Prince]]’s [[Kiowa Trail Home Studio]] in Chanhassen, Minnesota and [[Hollywood Sound Recorders]] in Los Angeles, California.  
  
[[Let's Work]] had initially been recorded in Spring or Summer 1981 as [[Let's Work|Let's Rock]], named after a dance [[Prince]] had seen in clubs during the summer of 1981, and [[Prince]] wanted to release it as a single immediately after recording. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Records Warner Bros.] declined, and while [[Prince]] liked the track, he felt it needed to be renamed when released to avoid it seeming dated.  
+
[[Let’s Work]] had initially been recorded in July 1979 as [[Let’s Work|Let’s Rock]], during sessions for [[Album: The Rebels (1979)|The Rebels]] album. [[Let’s Work|Let’s Rock]] was named after a dance [[Prince]] had seen in clubs during the summer of 1979, and [[Prince]] wanted to release it as a single immediately after recording. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros._Records Warner Bros.] declined, and while [[Prince]] liked the track, he felt it needed to be renamed when released to avoid it seeming dated.  
  
[[Private Joy]] was the last song recorded, on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/August_16|16 August, 1981]] at [[Sunset Sound]], during a week of final work on the album, following some equipment problems at nearby [[Hollywood Sound Recorders]] (marking the first [[Prince]] track recorded at [[Sunset Sound]], where [[Prince]] would continue to work throughout the 1980s, and return again in 2008).
+
[[Private Joy]] was the last song recorded, on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/August_16|16 August 1981]] at [[Sunset Sound]], during a week of final work on the album, following some equipment problems at nearby [[Hollywood Sound Recorders]] (marking the first [[Prince]] track recorded at [[Sunset Sound]], where [[Prince]] would continue to work throughout the 1980s, and return again in 2008).
  
[[Album: Controversy|Controversy]] was largely a solo recording project by [[Prince]], although [[Bobby Z.]] (drums), [[Lisa Coleman]] (keyboards and background vocals) and [[Dr. Fink]] (keyboards) all appear on the final track, [[Jack U Off]]. Additionally, [[Lisa Coleman]] also sings background vocals on [[Controversy]] and [[Ronnie Talk To Russia]].
+
[[Album: Controversy|Controversy]] was largely a solo recording project by [[Prince]], although [[Bobby Z.]] (drums), [[Lisa Coleman]] (keyboards and background vocals) and [[Dr. Fink]] (keyboards) all appear on the final track, [[Jack U Off]]. Additionally, [[Lisa Coleman]] also sings background vocals on [[Controversy]] and [[Ronnie, Talk To Russia]].
  
  
 
<b>Promotion</b>
 
<b>Promotion</b>
  
The album produced four commercially-released singles, [[Single: Controversy|Controversy]], [[Single: Let's Work|Let's Work]], [[Single: Do Me, Baby|Do Me, Baby]] and [[Single: Sexuality|Sexuality]] (released in Germany, Australia and Japan only).  
+
The album produced four commercially-released singles, [[Single: Controversy|Controversy]], [[Single: Let’s Work|Let’s Work]], [[Single: Do Me, Baby|Do Me, Baby]] and [[Single: Sexuality|Sexuality]] (released in Germany, Australia and Japan only).  
  
 
[[Prince]] toured extensively in the USA to support the album on the [[Controversy Tour]], which largely focused on the album.  
 
[[Prince]] toured extensively in the USA to support the album on the [[Controversy Tour]], which largely focused on the album.  
  
The album reached number 21 on the US [[The_Billboard_200|Billboard Top LP's & Tapes]] Chart and number 3 for 8 consecutive weeks on the [[Billboard_Top_R&B_Albums|Billboard Soul LPs]] Chart.  
+
The album reached number 21 on the US [[The_Billboard_200|Billboard Top LP’s & Tapes]] Chart and number 3 for 8 consecutive weeks on the [[Billboard_Top_R&B_Albums|Billboard Soul LPs]] Chart.  
  
On [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/January_14|14 January, 1982]] '''Controversy''' was certified gold by the RIAA, indicating 500,000 copies shipped in the USA. Most probably boosted by the success of [[Album: Purple Rain|Purple Rain]] album and film, it was certified platinum on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/January_11|11 January, 1985]], indicating 1,000,000 copies shipped in the USA.
+
On [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/January_14|14 January 1982]] '''Controversy''' was certified gold by the RIAA, indicating 500,000 copies shipped in the USA. Most probably boosted by the success of [[Album: Purple Rain|Purple Rain]] album and film, it was certified platinum on [[Prince_Vault:Selected_anniversaries/January_11|11 January 1985]], indicating 1,000,000 copies shipped in the USA.
 
|tracklisting          = <small>The compact disc version is a reissue from the LP.</small>
 
|tracklisting          = <small>The compact disc version is a reissue from the LP.</small>
 
# <b>[[Controversy]]</b> (7:14)
 
# <b>[[Controversy]]</b> (7:14)
Line 44: Line 45:
 
# <b>[[Do Me, Baby]]</b> (7:43) <small><sup>1</sup>&nbsp; </small>
 
# <b>[[Do Me, Baby]]</b> (7:43) <small><sup>1</sup>&nbsp; </small>
 
# <b>[[Private Joy]]</b> (4:37)
 
# <b>[[Private Joy]]</b> (4:37)
# <b>[[Ronnie Talk To Russia]]</b> (1:51)
+
# <b>[[Ronnie, Talk To Russia]]</b> (1:51)
# <b>[[Let's Work]]</b> (3:52)
+
# <b>[[Let’s Work]]</b> (3:52)
 
# <b>[[Annie Christian]]</b> (4:21)
 
# <b>[[Annie Christian]]</b> (4:21)
 
# <b>[[Jack U Off]]</b> (3:08)
 
# <b>[[Jack U Off]]</b> (3:08)
Line 58: Line 59:
 
*Side 2:
 
*Side 2:
 
# <b>[[Private Joy]]</b> (4:37)
 
# <b>[[Private Joy]]</b> (4:37)
# <b>[[Ronnie Talk To Russia]]</b> (1:51)
+
# <b>[[Ronnie, Talk To Russia]]</b> (1:51)
# <b>[[Let's Work]]</b> (3:52)
+
# <b>[[Let’s Work]]</b> (3:52)
 
# <b>[[Annie Christian]]</b> (4:21)
 
# <b>[[Annie Christian]]</b> (4:21)
 
# <b>[[Jack U Off]]</b> (3:08)
 
# <b>[[Jack U Off]]</b> (3:08)
 
|musicians              = [[Prince]] - all vocals and instruments, except where noted
 
|musicians              = [[Prince]] - all vocals and instruments, except where noted
 
*[[Dr. Fink]] - keyboards on [[Jack U Off]]
 
*[[Dr. Fink]] - keyboards on [[Jack U Off]]
*[[Lisa Coleman]] - background vocals on [[Controversy]], [[Ronnie Talk To Russia]] and [[Jack U Off]], keyboards on [[Jack U Off]]
+
*[[Lisa Coleman]] - background vocals on [[Controversy]], [[Ronnie, Talk To Russia]] and [[Jack U Off]], keyboards on [[Jack U Off]]
 
*[[Bobby Z.]] - drums on [[Jack U Off]]
 
*[[Bobby Z.]] - drums on [[Jack U Off]]
 +
*[[Morris Day]] - drums (uncredited, possible involvement) on [[Controversy]]
 
|production            = [[Prince]] - producer and arranger
 
|production            = [[Prince]] - producer and arranger
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mick_Guzauski Mic Guzauski] - engineer
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mick_Guzauski Mic Guzauski] - engineer
 
*[[Bob Mockler]] - engineer
 
*[[Bob Mockler]] - engineer
 
*[[Ross Pallone]] - engineer
 
*[[Ross Pallone]] - engineer
 +
*[[Peggy McCreary]] - engineer (uncredited)
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Grundman Bernie Grundman] - mastering (A&M Studios)
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Grundman Bernie Grundman] - mastering (A&M Studios)
 
*Allen Beaulieu - photography
 
*Allen Beaulieu - photography
Line 86: Line 89:
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{AlbumSinglesLine|
 
{{AlbumSinglesLine|
|Single = [[Single: Let's Work|Let's Work]]
+
|Single = [[Single: Sexuality|Sexuality]] <small>(Germany, Australia and Japan only)</small>
|B-side = [[Ronnie Talk To Russia]]
+
|B-side = [[Controversy]]
 +
|Image  = Sexuality single.jpg
 +
|Link  = Single: Sexuality
 +
}}
 +
{{AlbumSinglesLine|
 +
|Single = [[Single: Let’s Work|Let’s Work]]
 +
|B-side = [[Ronnie, Talk To Russia]]
 
|Image  = Letswork single.jpg
 
|Image  = Letswork single.jpg
|Link  = Single: Let's Work  
+
|Link  = Single: Let’s Work  
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{AlbumSinglesLine|
 
{{AlbumSinglesLine|
Line 96: Line 105:
 
|Image  = Domebaby single.jpg
 
|Image  = Domebaby single.jpg
 
|Link  = Single: Do Me, Baby
 
|Link  = Single: Do Me, Baby
}}
 
{{AlbumSinglesLine|
 
|Single = [[Single: Sexuality|Sexuality]] (Germany, Australia and Japan only)
 
|B-side = [[Controversy]]
 
|Image  = Sexuality single.jpg
 
|Link  = Single: Sexuality
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
Line 117: Line 120:
 
{{ChartLine|
 
{{ChartLine|
 
| Date            = 7 Nov. 1981
 
| Date            = 7 Nov. 1981
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': [[The_Billboard_200|Billboard Top LP's & Tapes]]  
+
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': [[The_Billboard_200|Billboard Top LP’s & Tapes]]  
 
| Peak Position  = 21
 
| Peak Position  = 21
 
| Weeks in chart  = 32
 
| Weeks in chart  = 32
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| Weeks in chart  = 35
 
| Weeks in chart  = 35
 
}}
 
}}
 
 
{{Chart-HRline}}
 
{{Chart-HRline}}
 
{{ChartLine|
 
{{ChartLine|
Line 141: Line 143:
 
| Weeks in chart  = 1
 
| Weeks in chart  = 1
 
}}
 
}}
{{Template:ChartLine-2|text=<sup><b>R</b></sup> <i>indicates re-entry of an album that had already charted.</i>}}
+
{{ChartLine|
 +
| Date            = 14 May 2016
 +
| Chart (Country) = '''USA''': [[The Billboard 200]]
 +
| Peak Position  = 55<sup>'''R'''</sup>
 +
| Weeks in chart  = 2
 +
}}
 +
{{Template:ChartLine-2|text=<sup><b>R</b></sup> <i>indicates re-entry of an album that had already charted.}}
 
{{Chart-Blank}}
 
{{Chart-Blank}}
 
{{ChartLine-3|text= Europe}}
 
{{ChartLine-3|text= Europe}}
Line 151: Line 159:
 
}}
 
}}
 
| awards        =  
 
| awards        =  
{{noAwards|format=album|Country=in the USA}}
+
{{noAwards|format=album|Country= the USA}}
 
| certifications =
 
| certifications =
 
{{Certification-Header}}
 
{{Certification-Header}}
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|releases              = {{:Releases: Controversy}}
 
|releases              = {{:Releases: Controversy}}
 
|alternative            =
 
|alternative            =
|album promotion        = US press adverts.<br>[[File:1981-Controversy-commercial-ad-smaller.jpeg‎|x150px|US press advert published in Billboard (24 Oct. 1981).]] &nbsp; [[File:1981-xx-xx_Controversy_Color-advert.png|x150px]]<br><br>[[File:1981-promoad-controversy-small.JPG|x150px|US press advert published in Rolling Stones (12 Nov. 1981).]]&nbsp; [[File:1981-xx-xx_Controversy_Black_Press_Advert-PV.png|x150px]]
+
|album promotion        = US press adverts.<br>
|trivia                = [[The_Billboard_200|Billboard Top LP's & Tapes]] chart progression:<br><small>Entry position '''71''' (7 Nov. 81), '''25''' (14 Nov. 81), '''21''' (21 Nov. 81), '''21''' (28 Nov. 81), '''21''' (5 Dec. 81), '''35''' (12 Dec. 81), '''49''' (19 Dec. 81) '''52''' (26 Dec. 81), '''??''' (2 Jan. 81), '''58''' (9 Jan. 81), '''58''' (16 Jan. 81), '''56''' (23 Jan. 81), '''54''' (30 Jan. 81), '''52''' (6 Feb. 81), '''64''' (13 Feb. 81), '''58''' (20 Feb. 81), '''50''' (27 Feb. 81), '''50''' (6 Mar. 81), '''49''' (13 Mar. 81), '''47''' (20 Mar. 81), '''65''' (27 Mar. 81), '''73''' (3 Apr. 81), '''94''' (10 Apr. 81), '''92''' (17 Apr. 81), '''90''' (24 Apr. 81), '''89''' (1 May 81), '''114''' (8 May 81), '''114''' (15 May 81), '''114''' (22 May 81), '''155''' (29 May 81), '''157''' (5 Jun. 81), exit position '''179''' (12 Jun. 81).</small><br>Weeks in Top 10: 0, weeks in Top 40: 5.
+
[[File:1981-Controversy-commercial-ad-smaller.jpeg‎|x150px|US press advert published in Billboard (24 Oct. 1981).]] &nbsp; [[File:1981-xx-xx_Controversy_Color-advert.png|x150px]]<br><br>
 +
[[File:1981-promoad-controversy-small.JPG|x150px|US press advert published in Rolling Stones (12 Nov. 1981).]]&nbsp; [[File:1981-xx-xx_Controversy_Black_Press_Advert-PV.png|x150px]]
 +
|trivia                = [[The_Billboard_200|Billboard Top LP’s & Tapes]] chart progression:<br><small>Entry position '''71''' (7 Nov. 81), '''25''' (14 Nov. 81), '''21''' (21 Nov. 81), '''21''' (28 Nov. 81), '''21''' (5 Dec. 81), '''35''' (12 Dec. 81), '''49''' (19 Dec. 81) '''52''' (26 Dec. 81), '''??''' (2 Jan. 81), '''58''' (9 Jan. 81), '''58''' (16 Jan. 81), '''56''' (23 Jan. 81), '''54''' (30 Jan. 81), '''52''' (6 Feb. 81), '''64''' (13 Feb. 81), '''58''' (20 Feb. 81), '''50''' (27 Feb. 81), '''50''' (6 Mar. 81), '''49''' (13 Mar. 81), '''47''' (20 Mar. 81), '''65''' (27 Mar. 81), '''73''' (3 Apr. 81), '''94''' (10 Apr. 81), '''92''' (17 Apr. 81), '''90''' (24 Apr. 81), '''89''' (1 May 81), '''114''' (8 May 81), '''114''' (15 May 81), '''114''' (22 May 81), '''155''' (29 May 81), '''157''' (5 Jun. 81), exit position '''179''' (12 Jun. 81).</small><br>Weeks in Top 10: 0, weeks in Top 40: 5.
  
 
* [[Billboard_Top_R&B_Albums|Billboard Soul LPs]] chart progression:<br><small>Entry position '''25''' (7 Nov. 81), '''9''' (14 Nov. 81), '''3''' (21 Nov. 81), '''3''' (28 Nov. 81), '''3''' (5 Dec. 81), '''3''' (12 Dec. 81), '''3''' (19 Dec. 81) '''3''' (26 Dec. 81), '''3''' (2 Jan. 81), '''3''' (9 Jan. 81), '''6''' (16 Jan. 81), '''14''' (23 Jan. 81), '''16''' (30 Jan. 81), '''16''' (6 Feb. 81), '''29''' (13 Feb. 81), '''29''' (20 Feb. 81), '''28''' (27 Feb. 81), '''27''' (6 Mar. 81), '''23''' (13 Mar. 81), '''19''' (20 Mar. 81), '''17''' (27 Mar. 81), '''15''' (3 Apr. 81), '''13''' (10 Apr. 81), '''13''' (17 Apr. 81), '''15''' (24 Apr. 81), '''25''' (1 May 81), '''31''' (8 May 81), '''31''' (15 May 81), '''37''' (22 May 81), '''45''' (29 May 81), '''45''' (5 Jun. 81), '''46''' (12 Jun. 81), '''59''' (19 Jun. 81), '''68''' (26 Jun. 81), exit position '''74''' (3 Jul. 81).</small><br>Weeks in Top 10: 10, weeks in Top 40: 29.
 
* [[Billboard_Top_R&B_Albums|Billboard Soul LPs]] chart progression:<br><small>Entry position '''25''' (7 Nov. 81), '''9''' (14 Nov. 81), '''3''' (21 Nov. 81), '''3''' (28 Nov. 81), '''3''' (5 Dec. 81), '''3''' (12 Dec. 81), '''3''' (19 Dec. 81) '''3''' (26 Dec. 81), '''3''' (2 Jan. 81), '''3''' (9 Jan. 81), '''6''' (16 Jan. 81), '''14''' (23 Jan. 81), '''16''' (30 Jan. 81), '''16''' (6 Feb. 81), '''29''' (13 Feb. 81), '''29''' (20 Feb. 81), '''28''' (27 Feb. 81), '''27''' (6 Mar. 81), '''23''' (13 Mar. 81), '''19''' (20 Mar. 81), '''17''' (27 Mar. 81), '''15''' (3 Apr. 81), '''13''' (10 Apr. 81), '''13''' (17 Apr. 81), '''15''' (24 Apr. 81), '''25''' (1 May 81), '''31''' (8 May 81), '''31''' (15 May 81), '''37''' (22 May 81), '''45''' (29 May 81), '''45''' (5 Jun. 81), '''46''' (12 Jun. 81), '''59''' (19 Jun. 81), '''68''' (26 Jun. 81), exit position '''74''' (3 Jul. 81).</small><br>Weeks in Top 10: 10, weeks in Top 40: 29.
|references            = [[Book:_The_Vault|'''The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince''']] ''by Per Nilsen & JooZt Mattheij, with the UPTOWN Staff'' (Uptown: 2004) ISBN 91-631-5482-X
+
* In his autobiography [https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B07NJPTJ12/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 On Time: A Princely Life in Funk], [[Morris Day]] states that he played drums on '''Controversy''' and on [[Let’s Work]], without mentioning that it was on the extended version of the latter. Since different recordings were made for '''Controversy''', it is not known if Morris plays on the album version or on an unreleased version.
 +
|references            = ''[[Book:_The_Vault|The Vault: The Definitive Guide to the Musical World of Prince (2004)]]''  
 
* <b>Copyright:</b> [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First US Copyright Office / SR0000030445 / 1981-10-28]
 
* <b>Copyright:</b> [http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First US Copyright Office / SR0000030445 / 1981-10-28]
 
* <b>Charts:</b> [http://books.google.fr/books/serial/ISSN:00062510?rview=1&lr=&hl=fr&sa=N&start=960 Google Books / Billboard Magazine]
 
* <b>Charts:</b> [http://books.google.fr/books/serial/ISSN:00062510?rview=1&lr=&hl=fr&sa=N&start=960 Google Books / Billboard Magazine]

Revision as of 09:32, 20 August 2021

Dirtymind tb.jpg 1980: Dirty Mind All Prince Albums All Related Artists Albums 1982: 1999 1999 tb.jpg
Controversy

Controversy.jpg

Album details


Released: 14 October 1981 (USA)

13 November 1981 (UK)

Length: 37:18
Label(s): Warner Bros. Records
Studio(s): Kiowa Trail Home Studio, Chanhassen, MN, USA; Hollywood Sound Recorders, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA, USA

Charts, Certifications & Awards


Charts
America
Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart
USA: Billboard Top LP’s & Tapes 7 Nov. 1981 21 32
USA: Billboard Soul LPs 7 Nov. 1981 3(8) 35
USA: Billboard 200 Chart 25 Aug. 1984  ??R 31
USA: Billboard 200 Chart  ?  ??R 1
USA: The Billboard 200 14 May 2016 55R 2
R indicates re-entry of an album that had already charted.</small>
 
Europe
Country: Chart Entry Date Peak Position Weeks in Chart
The Netherlands: Nationale Hitparade LP Top 50 19 Dec. 1981 50 1
Certifications
Institution, Country Date Certification
RIAA, USA 14 Jan. 1982 Gold (500,000)
RIAA, USA 11 Jan. 1985 Platinum (1 million)
BPI, UK 17 Nov. 1989 Silver (60,000)
BPI, UK 7 Mar. 2014 Gold (100,000)
Awards
This album has not received any awards in the USA

Singles released


Controversy
b/w When You Were Mine
Controversy single.jpg
Sexuality (Germany, Australia and Japan only)
b/w Controversy
Sexuality single.jpg
Let’s Work
b/w Ronnie, Talk To Russia
Letswork single.jpg
Do Me, Baby
b/w Private Joy
Domebaby single.jpg

See also


Controversy Tour  
1981-controversy-laminate-smaller.png
Controversy is the fourth full-length studio album by Prince. It was released worldwide in October 1981 (twelve months after his previous album, Dirty Mind).


Sessions and compiling

Specific recording dates for most of the album’s tracks are not known. The album was completed at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, California, between 14-23 August 1981.

Do Me, Baby was initially recorded in February 1978, and was written by André Cymone (although it was credited to Prince on the album). The version included on the album is a re-recording from the album sessions, however, which took place in Spring and Summer 1981, at Prince’s Kiowa Trail Home Studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota and Hollywood Sound Recorders in Los Angeles, California.

Let’s Work had initially been recorded in July 1979 as Let’s Rock, during sessions for The Rebels album. Let’s Rock was named after a dance Prince had seen in clubs during the summer of 1979, and Prince wanted to release it as a single immediately after recording. Warner Bros. declined, and while Prince liked the track, he felt it needed to be renamed when released to avoid it seeming dated.

Private Joy was the last song recorded, on 16 August 1981 at Sunset Sound, during a week of final work on the album, following some equipment problems at nearby Hollywood Sound Recorders (marking the first Prince track recorded at Sunset Sound, where Prince would continue to work throughout the 1980s, and return again in 2008).

Controversy was largely a solo recording project by Prince, although Bobby Z. (drums), Lisa Coleman (keyboards and background vocals) and Dr. Fink (keyboards) all appear on the final track, Jack U Off. Additionally, Lisa Coleman also sings background vocals on Controversy and Ronnie, Talk To Russia.


Promotion

The album produced four commercially-released singles, Controversy, Let’s Work, Do Me, Baby and Sexuality (released in Germany, Australia and Japan only).

Prince toured extensively in the USA to support the album on the Controversy Tour, which largely focused on the album.

The album reached number 21 on the US Billboard Top LP’s & Tapes Chart and number 3 for 8 consecutive weeks on the Billboard Soul LPs Chart.

On 14 January 1982 Controversy was certified gold by the RIAA, indicating 500,000 copies shipped in the USA. Most probably boosted by the success of Purple Rain album and film, it was certified platinum on 11 January 1985, indicating 1,000,000 copies shipped in the USA.



Track listing
CD LP

The compact disc version is a reissue from the LP.

  1. Controversy (7:14)
  2. Sexuality (4:20)
  3. Do Me, Baby (7:43) 1 
  4. Private Joy (4:37)
  5. Ronnie, Talk To Russia (1:51)
  6. Let’s Work (3:52)
  7. Annie Christian (4:21)
  8. Jack U Off (3:08)

The vinyl long play format is the initial release.

  • Side 1:
  1. Controversy (7:14)
  2. Sexuality (4:20)
  3. Do Me, Baby (7:43) 1 
  • Side 2:
  1. Private Joy (4:37)
  2. Ronnie, Talk To Russia (1:51)
  3. Let’s Work (3:52)
  4. Annie Christian (4:21)
  5. Jack U Off (3:08)

All songs written by Prince, except where noted.

1  Written by André Cymone (credited to Prince)



Personnel
Musicians


Production


Thanks
  • "Special thanks to God and U."



Releases
LP, CD, Cassettes and Other versions
Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2

USA LP BSK 3601 center center center center
USA CD 3601-2 Long Box center center center center
USA Cassette M5 3601 center center center center
USA 8-Tracks M8 3601 center center center center

Variants, Special Editions and Reissues
Country Format Cat. Number Comments Front Back Label 1 Label 2

None

 

 

 
Additional Information

Promotion (at time of release) Trivia

  • US press adverts.

US press advert published in Billboard (24 Oct. 1981).   1981-xx-xx Controversy Color-advert.png

US press advert published in Rolling Stones (12 Nov. 1981).  1981-xx-xx Controversy Black Press Advert-PV.png

  • Billboard Top LP’s & Tapes chart progression:
    Entry position 71 (7 Nov. 81), 25 (14 Nov. 81), 21 (21 Nov. 81), 21 (28 Nov. 81), 21 (5 Dec. 81), 35 (12 Dec. 81), 49 (19 Dec. 81) 52 (26 Dec. 81), ?? (2 Jan. 81), 58 (9 Jan. 81), 58 (16 Jan. 81), 56 (23 Jan. 81), 54 (30 Jan. 81), 52 (6 Feb. 81), 64 (13 Feb. 81), 58 (20 Feb. 81), 50 (27 Feb. 81), 50 (6 Mar. 81), 49 (13 Mar. 81), 47 (20 Mar. 81), 65 (27 Mar. 81), 73 (3 Apr. 81), 94 (10 Apr. 81), 92 (17 Apr. 81), 90 (24 Apr. 81), 89 (1 May 81), 114 (8 May 81), 114 (15 May 81), 114 (22 May 81), 155 (29 May 81), 157 (5 Jun. 81), exit position 179 (12 Jun. 81).
    Weeks in Top 10: 0, weeks in Top 40: 5.
  • Billboard Soul LPs chart progression:
    Entry position 25 (7 Nov. 81), 9 (14 Nov. 81), 3 (21 Nov. 81), 3 (28 Nov. 81), 3 (5 Dec. 81), 3 (12 Dec. 81), 3 (19 Dec. 81) 3 (26 Dec. 81), 3 (2 Jan. 81), 3 (9 Jan. 81), 6 (16 Jan. 81), 14 (23 Jan. 81), 16 (30 Jan. 81), 16 (6 Feb. 81), 29 (13 Feb. 81), 29 (20 Feb. 81), 28 (27 Feb. 81), 27 (6 Mar. 81), 23 (13 Mar. 81), 19 (20 Mar. 81), 17 (27 Mar. 81), 15 (3 Apr. 81), 13 (10 Apr. 81), 13 (17 Apr. 81), 15 (24 Apr. 81), 25 (1 May 81), 31 (8 May 81), 31 (15 May 81), 37 (22 May 81), 45 (29 May 81), 45 (5 Jun. 81), 46 (12 Jun. 81), 59 (19 Jun. 81), 68 (26 Jun. 81), exit position 74 (3 Jul. 81).
    Weeks in Top 10: 10, weeks in Top 40: 29.
  • In his autobiography On Time: A Princely Life in Funk, Morris Day states that he played drums on Controversy and on Let’s Work, without mentioning that it was on the extended version of the latter. Since different recordings were made for Controversy, it is not known if Morris plays on the album version or on an unreleased version.

References
Dirtymind tb.jpg 1980
Dirty Mind
All Albums All Related Artists Albums 1982
1999
1999 tb.jpg