1981 Oct 14: Controversy Album Era

A hometown preview in the Star Tribune by Jon Bream enthusiastically promoting Prince’s upcoming concert at the Met Center, hailing the 24-year-old Minneapolis artist as a major force in popular music and the inspiration behind Vanity 6 and The Time. Publication: Star Tribune Date: Friday, March 11, 1983 Country: United States Section / Pages: Critic’s choice / Music Title: Critic’s choice/Music THE STORY Jon Bream praises Prince as Rolling Stone’s Artist of the Year for 1982

Prince released “Sexuality” as a single in Australia on August 2, 1982, backed with “I Wanna Be Your Lover” (unlike the German and Japanese releases which used “Controversy” as the B-side) RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 7" Vinyl Single Country: Australia Released: August 2, 1982 Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound A-Side: “Sexuality” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince B-Side: “I Wanna Be Your Lover” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prin

Prince released “Do Me, Baby” as the third and final single from the Controversy album in the USA on July 16, 1982, backed with “Private Joy”. It was also released in Peru with Spanish titles. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 7" / 12" Vinyl Single Country: United States Released: July 16, 1982 Genre: Funk, Soul, Minneapolis Sound A-Side: “Do Me, Baby” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince B-Side: “Private Joy” Written by: Prince Produced by:

Released July 9, 1982 7" Vinyl Single Reference: US: 7-29955 A. He’s So Dull (2:32) B. Make-Up (2:40) Notes: He’s So Dull was the first single from Vanity 6’s only album. Prince appears as a musician on the A-side. The B-side Make-Up was written by Prince. US VARIANTS: • USA - Warner Bros. - 1982 (Mono promo) - 7-29955 A Side He's So Dull (Stereo 2:31) B Side He's So Dull (Mono 2:31) CHART PERFORMANCE Netherlands (Nederlandse Top 40): Peak position 16 (1983 re-release) I

Prince released “Let’s Work” as the second single from the Controversy album in the Netherlands on April 14, 1982. It was issued in both 7" and 12" commercial formats. Netherlands 7" Commercial Single RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 7" / 12" Vinyl Single Country: Netherlands Released: April 14, 1982 Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound A-Side: “Let’s Work” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince B-Side: “Ronnie, Talk To Russia” Written by: P

Prince released “Let’s Work” as the second single from the Controversy album in the UK on April 2, 1982. It was issued in both 7" and 12" picture sleeve formats, with some of the 12" marketed as a limited edition at the price of a 7". RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 7" / 12" Vinyl Single Country: United Kingdom Released: April 2, 1982 Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound A-Side: “Let’s Work” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince B-Side: “Ro

Prince released “Let’s Work” as the second single from the Controversy album in Germany on February 18, 1982. It was issued in both 7" and 12" formats, with the extended dance version appearing on the 12" maxi-single. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 7" / 12" Vinyl Single Country: Germany (West Germany) Released: February 18, 1982 Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound A-Side: “Let’s Work” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince B-Side: “Ronnie,

Prince released “Sexuality” as a 7" single in Japan in February 1982, backed with “Controversy”. It was issued in both commercial and promotional editions with picture/lyric inserts RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records / Warner-Pioneer Corporation Format: 7" Vinyl Single Country: Japan Released: February 1982 Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound A-Side: “Sexuality” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince B-Side: “Controversy” Written by: Prince Produced b

Prince transforms a Minneapolis street dance into an 8‑minute funk marathon RELEASE DETAILS Date: January 20, 1982 Catalogue: DWBS 50028 (commercial) / PRO-A-1004 (promo) Format: 12" Single Country: United States A-Side: “Let’s Work (Dance Remix)” B-Side: “Gotta Stop (Messin’ About)” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince 12" Promo (US) (PRO-A-1004) A. Let’s Work (Dance Remix – Long Version) – 8:02 B. Let’s Work (7" Single Version) – 2:56 CHART PERFORMANCE US Billboard Disco

Prince’s dance‑floor command born from a local Minneapolis craze and reshaped into pure Controversy‑era funk RELEASE DETAILS Date: January 6, 1982 Catalogue: WBS 50002 (US) / WB 17922 Country: United States (also issued in Netherlands/Germany) A-Side: “Let’s Work” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince B-Side: “Ronnie, Talk To Russia” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince THE STORY Released on January 6, 1982, “Let’s Work” was the second single from Prince’s album Controvers

Prince released “Let’s Work” as a single in New Zealand in 1982, backed with “Ronnie, Talk To Russia”. It was issued in a generic WEA company sleeve with no picture sleeve. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 7" / 12" Vinyl Single Country: New Zealand Released: 1982 Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound A-Side: “Let’s Work” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince B-Side: “Ronnie, Talk To Russia” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince VARIANTS New

A positive year-end review in The Los Angeles Times highlighting Prince’s Controversy as using eroticism to challenge socio-cultural restrictions, seeking liberation through his music in a way that captures many of the era’s most stimulating currents. Publication: The Los Angeles Times Date: Sunday, December 27, 1981 Country: United States Section / Pages: Music / Album Reviews Title: Prince / “Controversy” (Warner Bros.) THE STORY The review praises Prince for boldly employ

A strongly positive album review in The Marion Star celebrating Prince’s Controversy as a bold, frank exploration of sex, religion, and politics set to a funk beat, praising the young Minneapolis artist’s provocative “libidinous exercise” and soulful delivery while noting its ability to shock and offend. Publication: The Marion Star Date: Saturday, December 26, 1981 Country: United States Section / Pages: Albums Reviews Title: Prince Controversy (Warner Brothers) THE STORY Th

In The Los Angeles Times’ year-end “Single of the Year” roundup, Prince’s “Controversy” is ranked #2, praised as an invigorating, mocking rock ’n’ funk slap at rigid pop and social attitudes, including prejudice and hypocrisy, by a major new pop-rock figure Publication: The Los Angeles Times Date: Saturday, December 26, 1981 Country: United States Section / Pages: Part V / Calendar (continued from first page) Title: Single of the Year: The ‘Eyes’ Have It THE STORY The piece p

A substantial, intellectually engaged feature review in LA Weekly by Steve Erickson examining Prince’s Controversy album as a provocative blend of eroticism, social commentary, politics, and funk, positioning it as a bold (if imperfect) artistic statement from the rising Minneapolis star. Publication: LA Weekly Date: Thursday, December 24, 1981 Country: United States Section / Pages: Music (p. 28) Title: Prince’s “Controversy” This Year’s Come-On THE STORY Steve Erickson anal

A brief but enthusiastic album review in the Hattiesburg American calling Prince’s Controversy “another sizzler” from the rhythm and blues rocker, guaranteed to offend like Dirty Mind, while highlighting its bold social and political messaging. Publication: Hattiesburg American Date: Sunday, December 20, 1981 Country: United States Section / Pages: Album Reviews Title: Prince—Controversy (Warner Bros.) THE STORY The short piece describes Controversy as a frank, controversial

A mixed but intrigued review in The Boston Globe describing Prince’s Controversy as funky, punky, and obsessed with sex, portraying the 21-year-old Minneapolis artist as this year’s enfant terrible who is determined to be outrageous through explicit themes, religious references, and social provocation. Publication: The Boston Globe Date: Thursday, December 17, 1981 Country: United States Section / Pages: Calendar / Album Reviews Title: Prince Controversy (Warners) THE STORY T

A lively concert review in the New Pittsburgh Courier praising Prince and his band (along with opening act The Time) for delivering a high-energy performance during the Controversy Tour, highlighting Prince’s dynamic stage presence, band chemistry, and provocative material. Publication: New Pittsburgh Courier Date: Saturday, December 5, 1981 Country: United States Section / Pages: The Entertainer / Music Title: Prince and The Time Deliver High Energy Music THE STORY The artic

A detailed, thoughtful review in Seattle’s The Rocket by Karl Neice assessing Prince’s Controversy as a bold, self-assured follow-up to Dirty Mind, praising its provocative blend of sex, social commentary, and funk while noting its imperfections and Prince’s growing confidence as a 21-year-old auteur. Publication: The Rocket Date: Tuesday, December 1, 1981 Country: United States Section / Pages: Reviews / Music (p. 30-31) Title: Prince’s “Controversy” This Year’s Come-On (Cro

A highly positive album review in The Winnipeg Sun by Ethlie Ann Vare hailing Prince’s Controversy as another bold sizzler from the rhythm and blues rocker, guaranteed to shock and offend like Dirty Mind, while praising its frank treatment of sex, religion, and politics. Publication: The Winnipeg Sun Date: Friday, November 27, 1981 Country: Canada Section / Pages: Music Beat / Albums Reviews Title: Prince a great shocker THE STORY The review calls Controversy an apt title for

A rare official staff laminate from Prince’s Controversy Tour featuring a striking photo of Prince with his guitar, granting “Access All Areas” backstage privileges during one of his earliest major headlining tours. This rectangular staff pass features a photo of Prince in his iconic Controversy-era look — black suit, leopard-print scarf, and guitar — set against a background of sheet music.( as used on the sleeve of various editions of the Let's Work release) A bold vertical

A major feature in The Los Angeles Times by Robert Hilburn examining the hostile audience reaction (booing) to Prince as an opening act for the Rolling Stones at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, while defending his provocative style and placing it in the broader context of rock radio resistance to Black artists and boundary-pushing music. Publication: The Los Angeles Times Date: Sunday, November 15, 1981 Country: United States Section / Pages: Calendar / Pop Music Title: Pr

A mixed and somewhat bewildered album review in The High Point Enterprise by Eric Ries describing Prince’s Controversy as more incomprehensible than controversial, praising the young artist’s talent and wit while struggling with the album’s eclectic style, explicit themes, and cryptic social/political statements Publication: The High Point Enterprise Date: Sunday, November 15, 1981 Country: United States Section / Pages: Album Reviews Title: Prince’s ‘Controversy’ Is Hard To

A syndicated Knight-Ridder review by Rick Shefchik in the Muncie Evening Press giving Prince’s Controversy album a middling rating of 7/10, praising some strong moments on Side Two while criticizing the record for failing to fully deliver on the promise shown in Dirty Mind. Publication: Muncie Evening Press Date: Saturday, November 14, 1981 Country: United States Section / Pages: Music / Album Reviews Title: Prince, Controversy (Warner Bros.) THE STORY The review expresses di