Single: Controversy

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1981: Gotta Stop (Messin’ About) ◄ All Singles All Related Artists Singles ► 1981: Sexuality 
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
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) 		All Singles All Related Artists Singles 1981
Sexuality
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