PurpleKnight said:

do they? i've never heard much dissing about it, let alone any props/non-props on the song itself...'cept from hobbes, who is the org's top supporter of this cut.

1 of his best in my opinion. Butthole Surfers have a couple songs that seem
inspired by it.

It's not bad. I don't call it a fav. or anything, but I like it. I don't think Prince really meant it to be taken seriously or anything.....it's just a fun clip in the album.

I wonder if Prince got to meet Ronnie and warn b4 he passed.....

This opinion was common when in the eighties but I think the song has aged well. I think the main reason is that its sound and message seemed so odd and almost throaway between Private Joy and Let's Work on Controversy. Prince was making a political statement that was more specific than the one on Party Up, and it just didn't sound like the kind of thing he should be doing. But now that we've heard more of his political songs, Ronnie seems like a great example, the best being SOTT.

I think it's good. Not bad for the tune, and strong in the message.

You'll never hear me say a bad word about it - It's my all time favourite Prince track, and Controversy is my all time favourite Prince album.

i've always thought it was a fun little song - gospel meets punk with a little bit of prince's (in)famous political commentary included. no complaints here.

i've grown to really dig this song. i used to pass it when it came on but this year i've had a change of heart with it. the vibe on "ronnie..." is perfect for controversy.

I've always dug this cut, BUT it isn't a song that I took seriously. I've always considered it a throw away track. An album filler. But it scores points with me, musically, cuz of the New York Dolls vibe. P probably wrote this cuz of all of the Johnny Thunder comparisons he was getting on his Dirty Mind tour. Plus, the Dolls embraced that Soviet Union "Red Leather" fashion shit on their third album with Malcom. Hence the "Russia" in P's song.

blackguitaristz said:

wow, never thought of it that way, cool.

Anxiety said:

Me either, v. cool.

blackguitaristz said:

Sounds more than likely to me.
I don't mind the track really, but I just think it's kinda throwaway, and would
have been better suited just as a b-side rather than being included on the album.

I like it. It's entertaining as all hell.

It sounds fine to me. Its on one of my favorite albums, but
it's not a fav song.

you ask why it's sorta considered one of the "weaker" tracks
from the 80's, but c'mon! Every song can't be number 1 on your

Something's inevitibly gonna be at the back of the line

it's great and keeps the album flowing beautifully
[Edited 11/3/05 23:05pm]

Great rock track. I love the scream at the front, the gun shots in the middle, and the explosion at the end.

There's nothing wrong with "Ronnie"!!!
I love this track to death and the whole "Controversy" album!!!



to all the haters - that's all I can say!

Cheek said:

Christopher said:

It's very kind of you!!!

Cheek said:

burp

Christopher said:

Don't start it again...

Cheek said:

you need to stop with the fantasys about me.

Christopher said:

The only thing I'm having fantasies about is your dog!!!

Cheek said:

that is fine by me.

Christopher said:

I like to think of Prince's body of work as a pathetic, balding little man with B.O. who just happens to have a huge, 16 inch man-snake called RONNIE TALK TO RUSSIA. Upon first listening to Controversy, most savvy listeners will probably think "What the HELL is this GARBAGE?" or perhaps "OH FUCK, THIS ISN'T GWAR!" until RTTR reams their ears with the full, rich girth of it's musical excellence. Prince has not, and will not ever top this masterpiece (At least not without the help of Tony M).