Recorded in April 1979, this early demo predates the polished Controversy version by two years. Stripped back and emotionally exposed, the recording highlights Prince’s vocal vulnerability, melodic instinct and sensual phrasing long before the song became one of his signature slow jams.

Recorded in winter 1978–1979, the acoustic demo predates Prince’s breakthrough by mere months. The recording begins with the sound of Prince pressing “record” on a cassette deck — a rare, humanising detail — before he launches into a tender, exploratory performance.

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

A mixed-to-negative review in The Beaumont Enterprise (Knight-Ridder Service) by Rick Shefchik of Prince’s 1981 album Controversy, acknowledging strong moments but criticizing it for failing to fully deliver on the promise shown in Dirty Mind, particularly due to uneven material and overly explicit content. Publication: The Beaumont Enterprise Date: Monday, November 9, 1981 Country: United States Section / Pages: Records / Album Reviews Title: Prince fails to make delivery on

Prince released “Controversy” as a single in the Netherlands on November 4, 1981, backed with “When You Were Mine”. It was issued in both 7" and 12" formats, along with a special Christmas promo edition. Netherlands 7" Commercial Single (WB 17.866) RRELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 7" / 12" Vinyl Single Country: Netherlands (Benelux) Released: November 4, 1981 Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound A-Side: “Controversy” Written by: Prince Produ

Prince released “Controversy” as a single in France in November 1981, backed with “When You Were Mine”. It was issued in a picture sleeve 7" commercial version and a 12" promotional single with the same track on both sides. France 7" Commercial Single (17 866) RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 7" / 12" Vinyl Single Country: France Released: November 1981 Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound A-Side: “Controversy” Written by: Prince Produced by

Controversy is Prince’s fourth studio album, released in October 1981. A bold, socially conscious, and sexually charged record, it further refined his unique blend of funk, rock, and new wave while tackling themes of religion, sex, politics, and identity RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Date: October 14, 1981 (USA) / November 13, 1981 (UK) Catalogue: BSK 3601 Format: LP Country: United States (international releases followed) THE STORY Controversy co

Prince released “Controversy” as the lead single from his album of the same name on October 9, 1981 in the UK, backed with “When You Were Mine”. The song became a major dance hit, topping the Billboard Disco chart for six weeks in the US. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 7" / 12" Vinyl Single Country: United Kingdom Released: October 9, 1981 Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound A-Side: “Controversy” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince B-Si

Prince released “Sexuality” as the second single from the Controversy album in West Germany in October 1981. It was issued in 7" and 12" commercial formats along with a 12" promotional single. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 7" / 12" Vinyl Single Country: Germany (West Germany) Released: October 1981 Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound A-Side: “Sexuality” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince B-Side: “Controversy” Written by: Prince Produc

Prince released “Controversy” as the lead single from his album of the same name on September 2, 1981 in the USA, backed with “When You Were Mine”. The song became a major dance hit, topping the Billboard Disco chart for six weeks. RELEASE DETAILS Artist: Prince Label: Warner Bros. Records Format: 7" / 12" Vinyl Single Country: United States Released: September 2, 1981 Genre: Funk, Rock, Minneapolis Sound A-Side: “Controversy” Written by: Prince Produced by: Prince B-Side: “W

The debut studio album by The Time, largely written, performed, and produced by Prince (uncredited), marking the first full album project he was involved in outside his own work. Publication / Source: Warner Bros. Records Date: July 29, 1981 (US) Format: Vinyl LP - BSK 3598 THE ALBUM TRACKLIST The Time was the first album by The Time. Recorded at Prince’s Kiowa Trail Home Studio in April 1981 (with one track from earlier sessions). No songwriting credits are given, but Pri

A report in The Atlanta Voice highlighting the strong, enthusiastic reception Prince received during his first European tour in support of Dirty Mind, with major UK music papers and audiences praising his outrageous sexual frankness, multi-instrumental talent, and electrifying live performances. Publication: The Atlanta Voice Date: Saturday, July 25, 1981 Country: United States Section / Pages: Entertainment Title: Prince Hailed In Europe THE STORY The article details Prince’