I played the CD on the weekend for the first time in ages. This will always be a special album for me because it was what attracted me to Princes music in the first place, back in '81.

It certainly didn't dissapoint. I think that it is an album often overlooked by the fans as it is stuck in the middle of Dirty Mind and 1999 but I think it deserves great respect.

Here's my feelings on the songs:

Controversy: Great funky song with a fantastic beat. Just makes you want to dance. Love the chicken scratch guitar. This song turned me immediately into a Prince fan.

Sexuality: Aoowa! Love this song too. Great thumping beat and attitude.

Do Me Baby: The start of the great Prince sex ballad. An instant classic with an ending that makes you blush when you're around others. Love the screams.

Private Joy: A very catchy little pop tune. Could have been a bit of a hit I think.

Ronnie Talk to Russia: Hmmmm, the less said about this song the better I think. It's a bit immature.

Lets Work: An amazing song. Pure funk with one of the greatest basslines of all time. This is classic Prince.

Annie Christian: This is another under appereciated gem. The guitar work is super. It has a very haunting theme. Most artists wouldn't have the balls to do this.

Jack You Off: Great fun and a punchy tune. A cousin of Delerious I think.


Does anyone else agree with my asessment?

I remember hearing the song Controversy as a kid before I became Prince fan (not until the Purple Rain era). I guess what stuck in my mind then was the line about "Am I black or white, am I straight or gay." I thought it was a weird line for a song. When I did buy the album a few years later and heard the full song with the "Our Father"-- I thought was a bold thing to do which Madonna tried to do years later (inclusion of prayers) in her "Like A Prayer" album. Btw, was Prince a Catholic before just as Madonna is/was?

Controversy, now that WAS controversial for it's time. It's got so much energy and life. Rediscover an amazing album, if you left it behind some time ago.

Prince wasn't a catholic as a kid. I cant remember what he was, I'll have to look it up, but I know he wasn't catholic.

Prince was raised in the Seventh Day Adventist Church.