Controversy Album UK: 1981

A Synth-Funk Rebellion Cry

Prince’s Controversy was released in the UK on November 13, 1981, on Warner Bros. Records (catalogue: K 56950), was his fourth studio album. Produced/arranged/composed/performed by Prince at Kiowa Trail Home Studio, Hollywood Sound, and Sunset Sound, this 8-track synth-funk/new wave opus—featuring Lisa Coleman and Bobby Z.—explored sexuality, politics, and identity. The misprinted UK vinyl listed “Do Me Baby” as “Do We Baby.” Peaking at No. 50 in the Netherlands for 1 week, it earned BPI Silver (60,000 UK). Issued in vinyl (misprinted), cassette, with singles failing to chart, it’s a pivotal pre-1999 statement.

Album Overview

Release Details:

Label: Warner Bros. Records (UK).

Formats: Vinyl LP (misprinted), cassette.

℗ & ©: 1981 Warner Bros. Records Inc. Engineered by Mic Guzauski, Bob Mockler, Ross Pallone. Mastered by Bernie Grundman at A&M Studios.

Notes: Published by Warner Bros. Music Ltd. Management: Cavallo, Ruffalo, Fargnoli.

UK Release Formats and Track Listings

Vinyl, Album, Misprinted (Catalogue: K 56950):

Side A:

Controversy (7:14)

Sexuality (4:20)

Do Me, Baby (7:47) – Misprinted as “Do We Baby”

Side B:

Private Joy (4:25)

Ronnie, Talk To Russia (1:48)

Let's Work (3:57)

Annie Christian (4:21)

Jack U Off (3:12)

Personnel

Musicians

Prince - all vocals and instruments, except where noted

Dr. Fink - keyboards on Jack U Off

Lisa Coleman - background vocals on Controversy, Ronnie, Talk To Russia and Jack U Off, keyboards on Jack U Off

Bobby Z. - drums on Jack U Off

Morris Day - drums (uncredited, possible involvement) on Controversy

Production

Prince - producer and arranger

Mic Guzauski - engineer

Bob Mockler - engineer

Ross Pallone - engineer

Peggy McCreary - engineer (uncredited)

Bernie Grundman - mastering (A&M Studios)

Allen Beaulieu - photography (credited on rear of album cover as 'Al Beaulieu')

Bob Cavallo - personal management

Joe Ruffalo - personal management

Steve Fargnoli - personal management

Thanks

"Special thanks to God and U."

UK (Warner Bros. K 56950): Released November 13, 1981. Vinyl (misprinted) and cassette.

The UK version didn’t include the poster that came with the US version.

Cassette, Album (Catalogue: K 456950 / 456 950):

Side A:

Controversy

Sexuality

Do Me, Baby

Side B:

Private Joy

Ronnie, Talk To Russia

Let's Work

Annie Christian

Jack U Off

Reissues (1984)

CD, Album (First Time)

Reissue, Target, Grey/Red (Catalogue: 3601-2 / 256 950):

Controversy (7:14)

Sexuality (4:20)

Do Me, Baby (7:47)

Private Joy (4:25)

Ronnie, Talk To Russia (1:48)

Let's Work (3:57)

Annie Christian (4:21)

Jack U Off (3:12) – Keyboards – Lisa, Fink

Packaging: Target bullseye (grey/red/black). Made in West Germany by PolyGram. CDD Pre-Mastering by WCI Record Group. No updated copyright.

Vinyl Album:

1- (Warner Bros. K 56 950 / WB K 56 950 / BSK 3601):

Released 1984 (UK & Europe). Reissue with new designed labels (7 WB logos: one color, six grey)

Some copies may have a discography sheet to promote Purple Rain and related artist projects

The labels incorporate "Publisher credits (GB)" to Warner Bros. Music Ltd.

[it's on other European releases not credited]

℗ + © 1981 Warner Bros. Records Inc. [on labels]

℗ © 1981 Warner Bros. Records Inc. [on rear cover]

The catalog numbers appear as follows:

WB K 56 950 (BSK 3601) [spine & sleeve]

K 56 950 [labels]

Direct fan mail to: Prince, P.O. Box 4475, North Hollywood, CA 91607 · Special thanks to God and U

Mastered at A&M Records

Manufactured in Germany by Record Service GmbH, Alsdorf

Pressé en Allemagne par Record Service GmbH, Alsdorf [Warner 'W' logo] a Warner Communications Company

Druckhaus Maack KG, Lüdenscheid

Embossed [Warner 'W' logo] on rear cover lower right corner.

2- (Warner Bros. WB K 56 950 / K 56 950): Released 1984 (UK & Europe).

LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo (Warner Bros. K 56 950 / WB K 56 950): Released 1984 (UK & Europe).

Cover: WB K 56 950 (BSK 3601)

Labels: [7 'WB-Shield' logo wallpaper]

Publisher credits (GB): [...] Warner Bros. Music Ltd.

℗ + © 1981 Warner Bros. Records Inc.

K 56 950

Optional:

Discography sheet to promote Purple Rain and other Prince-related artist projects

3- (Warner Bros. K 56 950 / WB K 56 950): Released 1984 (UK & Europe).

with new designed labels (7 WB logos: one color, six grey).

The labels incorporate "Publisher credits (GB):" to Warner Bros. Music Ltd. [not credited on other European releases].

℗ + © 1981 Warner Bros. Records Inc. [on labels]

℗ © 1981 Warner Bros. Records Inc. [on rear sleeve]

The catalog numbers appear as follows :

WB K 56 950 (BSK 3601) [spine & rear sleeve]- K 56 950 [labels]

Direct fan mail to: Prince, P.O. Box 4475, North Hollywood, CA 91607 ·

Special thanks to God and U

Mastered at A&M Records

Manufactured in Germany by Record Service GmbH, Alsdorf

Pressé en Allemagne par Record Service GmbH, Alsdorf Ⓦ a Warner Communications Company

Druckhaus Maack KG, Lüdenscheid

Embossed WARNER logo on rear sleeve lower right corner.

4- (Warner Bros. K 56950 / WB K 56950): Released 1984 (UK & Europe).

℗ + © 1981 Warner Bros. Records Inc. [on labels]

℗ © 1981 Warner Bros. Records Inc. [on rear sleeve]

The catalog numbers appear as follows :

WB K 56 950 (BSK 3601) [spine & rear sleeve]

K 56950 [labels]

Embossed WARNER logo on rear sleeve lower right corner.

In 1984, on the back of the success of Purple Rain, the album was reissued for the UK and European market, including its first release on compact disc.

Production and Context

Produced/Arranged/Composed/Performed by Prince. Musicians: Prince (vocals/instruments), Lisa Coleman (background vocals on Controversy/Ronnie/Jack U Off, keyboards on Jack U Off), Bobby Z. (drums on Jack U Off). Engineered by Mic Guzauski, Bob Mockler, Ross Pallone. Recorded August 14–23, 1981. Controversy was Prince’s synth-driven bridge from Dirty Mind to 1999.

Singles Released and Chart Performance

Controversy spawned two UK singles:

Controversy / When You Were Mine (1981, Warner Bros. K 17866): No chart.

Let's Work (Edit) / Ronnie, Talk To Russia (1982, Warner Bros. K 17922): No chart.

Album Chart Performance EU

Controversy charted internationally:

The Netherlands (Nationale Hitparade LP Top 50): 50 (1 week)

Certification: BPI Silver (UK, 60,000, November 17, 1989)

Legacy and Collectibility

Controversy is Prince’s synth-funk provocation, with Do Me, Baby and Jack U Off enduring. Verify catalogue K 56950.

Streams on Spotify via reissues preserve the analog edge. This LP is a must-have for Prince fans and ‘80s synth collectors.

Do you have Controversy in your vinyl stack? Which track controversies you? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Prince Vault, Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube

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