Controversy is the fourth studio album by Prince, released in October 1981 on Warner Bros. Records and produced entirely by Prince. Building on the spare funk of Dirty Mind while incorporating more pop and new wave influences, the album addressed themes of race, sexuality, religion, and identity with a directness that was both provocative and oddly vulnerable. The title track 'Controversy' distilled Prince's enigmatic persona into a defiant two-chord groove, while 'Private Joy' and 'Do Me, Baby' extended his mastery of intimate funk balladry. The album reached number three on the R&B chart and further expanded Prince's audience beyond cult status. Controversy is a transitional album that shows Prince synthesizing the underground energy of Dirty Mind with a broader commercial ambition that would fully flower on 1999.
Track Listing & Credits
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Controversy | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 2 | Sexuality | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 3 | Do Me, Baby | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 4 | Private Joy | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 5 | Ronnie, Talk to Russia | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 6 | Let's Work | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 7 | Annie Christian | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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| 8 | Jack U Off | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson | Prince Rogers Nelson |
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Data note: Prince wrote, produced, and performed virtually all instruments. André Cymone and Gayle Chapman contributed backing vocals on select tracks.