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