Until the album, "Controversy", Prince sang all his songs in his falsetto. I remember when "Controversy" first came out, Right On magazine did a review of it. The reporter gave a great review and also pointed out that when he heard Prince singing for the first time in voice other than his falsetto it "made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up". He didn't mean it in a bad way he just meant it felt strange hearing such a deep speaking voice coming from someone who had always been known for such a high voice. It kinda tripped me out too. Kinda like hearing how some of the British rockers speak compared to how they sing.

Once like KISSFM in NY did a Phone Interview thing where Prince Said you're listening to and his Voice was like very Deep ya didn't think it was Actually him. Many were saying..No,can't be..But Yes it is..He isn't Like Michael Jackson and Prince is a GROWN-ASS Man he's well how about his voice in Purple Rain or UTCM? He's Eros..Fire...He's a Real Man who is Sexually on Fire and EXPLODES on STAGE...

If Prince only sang in falsetto until Controversy, then who's the guy with the deep voice during part of "Just As Long As We're Together" off of his first album in '78?

I'm sure there must be other instances of him using his normal voice before '81 -- for example, "Partyup" comes to mind. I also heard that he was known for his deep voice when he sang for Champagne or Grand Central during his high school days. Any early boots without the falsetto?

You know, I must admit... I expected his voice to be high, and not so deep. I freaked out when I first saw Purple Rain 20 years ago. I'd never heard him speak before that.

Snap said:

JALAWT is sung in both voices. Although it's mostly falsetto. He multi layers his voice all over the album. Controversy is probably the first time he used more of his natural voice than previously. His falsetto voice is still on that album in quite a few plac es. I don't think he goes back to his falsetto fully and on multiple tracks until SOTT...I think.