Controversy [Explicit]

On the title track, which begans with a funky beat, he poses such questions as "I can't believe all the things people say/controversy/Am I black or white/am I straight or gay?" "Do I believe in God, or do I believe in me?" Obviously with the release of Dirty Mind, lots of critics and people were really wondering about him and had a few things to say. Well, this is Prince's take on that.

His reciting the Lord's Prayer and his provocative utopian view is also included in the title track, which is the most potent and important track on this album: "People call me rude/I wish we all were nude/I wish there was no black or white/I wish there were no rules." Given the traditional U.S. view of sex which has refused to get out of its Puritan shadow and covert racism, those lines are not to be laughed off lightly. It makes me think, "Well, sure, why not?"

The irresistible "Sexuality", a political disco number of the principles of the new breed leaders: in their regime, one needs no money, clothes, anti-segregation anti-racism, anti-tourists, given that tourists are pocket-camera-visioned idiots, "a bunch of double-drags who tell their kids that loving is bad." He furthers his argument that "no child is bad from the beginning, they only imitate their atmosphere."

"Do Me Baby" is probably one of the damn, hottest and sexiest songs he has ever written. After the singing, he goes into a monologue where he is making love to a woman while the music plays. One biographer described the song as Prince making love on hot dripping wax--wax as in what LPs are made of. And people wonder why the single version clocks in at 3:55?

"Private Joy" is a boppable song with the same organ synthesizer, hand claps, and bass.

The brief adrenalized organ synth dance of "Ronnie Talk To Russia" has a direct and simple message: "Ronnie talk to Russia before it's too late/Before they blow up my world." It has fiery guitar, machine-gun firing, and at the end, the bomb, which segues into the funky "Let's Work".

"Annie Christian", a.k.a. anti-Christ, is a rap song about the Atlanta child murders, shootings of John Lennon, Ronald Reagan, and the ABSCAM scandal. The song is not as effective as political songs done by other groups or artists. He did better on "Ronnie Talk To Russia" and his angry protest song "Partyup" on Dirty Mind. Still, the idea of embodying evil in one entity is a good one.

And need I detail what fun "Jack U Off" is about? I don't? I didn't think so.

Controversy further strengthens the political foundation established in "Partyup" and sets the stage for the next chapter, both a year later, or seventeen years later: namely, 1999.


Sadly in the shadow of what came later for Prince   November 26, 2000
Travis
8 out of 10 found this review helpful

The classic albums in Prince's catalogues, such as Purple Rain and 1999, overshadow this short but underrated album. Sure, Purple Rain and 1999 are good too, but it's time that lesser-remembered Prince albums get some attention, too. Really the only hit single from this album is the title track, Controversy, which peaked at No. 70 on Billboard in 1981. Controversy is a stark and fun song, with the rude refrain at the end "people call me rude/i wish we all were nude". Sexuality is a good one, too, but i'm afraid that it's not the only thing Prince will ever need LOL. Do Me, Baby is a beautifully romantic and sexual ballad, but sounds more like a lullaby than a song for stimulation. The spoken ending with Prince saying "i'm so cold" seems a little stupid, though. i really enjoy the sunny Private Joy, and i think that LaToya Jackson also did a good interpretation of the song in 1984 for her "Heart Don't Lie" album. (Yes-i'm being serious.) Let's Work (which was a single, i think) and Ronnie, Talk To Russia are forgettable, but Annie Christian is though provoking and seems to fit perfectly on an album called Controversy. Jack U Off is too blatant for my tastes. If you're into Prince and you don't have this, get it. For you collectors out there, try to get it on vinyl; it comes with a bonus colour poster of that famous picture of Prince in the shower wearing nothing but a black speedo, with a crucifix hanging nearby on the wall.


REAL PRINCE FANS DIG THIS ONE - DON'T FORGET THE POSTER!   January 27, 2005
G. Mitchell (Los Angeles, CA United States)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

True Prince fans pre-Purple Rain own and love this one - I don't understand the many reviews on this site bagging the CD as "uneven" or "poor" - HELLO?! This was released way back in 1981, post-DIRTY MIND, but pre-1999, before Prince would breakthrough as one of the first artists on MTV (with 1999/Little Red Corvette), but it's on "Controversy" he truly hones his trademark musical style, image, and vision - look at the "cheap" version of the signature purple trenchcoat that would later become glitzy - all the tracks are stripped down and potent blasts of socio-sexual-political electro-funk NO ONE else dared to produce/release at the time - listen to CONTROVERSY (the full version w/ prayer!), SEXUALITY, PRIVATE JOY, JACK U OFF, ANNIE CHRISTIAN, LET'S WORK, and more to know where Prince's head was at during the early 80s - side two (yes, remember LPs) is a bit more experimental and off the mark, but STILL you gotta give it up for the Purple One - hurry up, someone remake PRIVATE JOY today (Gwen? Britney?) and have a #1 hit all over again...and you cannot forgot those like me who bought the original LP when it first came out were treated to a ltd. editon POSTER of PRINCE almost butt-nekkid in the shower with his cross - YOWZAH!!


very spotty   October 14, 2004
J. Brady (PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC United States)
3 out of 11 found this review helpful

I had the tape in high school when it first came out and I bought the CD very recently for two songs in particular. The first, the title track, is a classic. The last track "Jack U Off" is a weird and wonderful mix of electro keyboards, New Wave-ish rhythms, a sing-song melody, and incredibly raunchy lyrics. The remainder of the album is for me, forgetable.


Classic Prince at his best!   April 7, 2000
A. Stallings (Severn, MD)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

What else can I say about this CD? This picks up where his previous 1980 CD "Dirty Mind" left off. In fact I think both CDs should be sold together as a set because they are soo much alike in style and funkiness. Controversy the song is my jam! All 7 minutes and 14 seconds of it! I also love the song "Jack U Off". It took awhile to have that song grow on me but when it did I didn't take it as being vulgar I just took it as being a trip and downright funny! "Let's Work" is gritty street funk at it's best- bass lines and all! "Do Me Baby" is self explanatory and just off the hook and meant for a true night of passion!

A classic CD to have if you are a true old school Prince fan!