How has "Controversy," Aged?

Prince probably wrote the song "Controversy," earlier than 1981 when the album "Controversy," was released.

The song itself is the perfect song to identify with 1980 or walking into the 80's as a "music listening," population.

The opening lyric of the song says, "I just can't believe all the things people say..."

When we take into consideration the "Controversy," that surrounded Prince as a person, ~Being very private... ~Avoiding the media...

Has this controversy been a factor in your attraction toward Prince music? And if so, How has this "Controversy," Aged?

Is the mystery that surrounds Prince merely a gimmick?

Would you be more of a fan if Prince wore his heart on his sleeve, (without) all of the "PurpleBatmanAddedMystery?" Why is Prince still putting the (Y) in Mystery?

...Yes I do believe I would be more of a fan if I knew Prince a little bit better as a person.

...I personally (don't) believe that "Controversy," ages well on anybody. I find, "laying it on the line," and "telling it like it is," more appealing in a person's character.

~I wonder if Prince as a person will ever "clear the air," or open-up," to the public about his deepest thoughts and truths.

Side 2 of Controversy is his most underrated work IMO.

It has aged VERY well.

[Edited 9/4/11 5:27am]

Wonderfully.

NouveauDance said:

Wonderfully.

I still love this song and the album, which reminds me of beeing young and "insatiative". I can live with my past, smile and laugh all things I have done and said those days of '80s. So I definitely include "Controversy" in the soundtrack of my life. Am I self-indulgent when I say that this music has aged well with me. I don't care if the sounds are from '80s because I know who I am and what I have become. Times have changed and so have I. I can allow it to Prince, too.

Controversy is among the classic albums, great stuff.

Pop stars are frequently surrounded by mystery, and Prince more than any other. Reading his recent interviews, he always manages to not answer the questions at all.

I don't know, I like it like that, although I'd also like to know more things about him.

Sometimes mystery isn't prompted by the person in question, but by the others who observe him/her. People who don't fit in the conventions or the norms of the society generate controversy just by being different. Can this be the case of Prince? I think only partially: there's certainly some amount of business implied.

[Edited 9/4/11 7:35am]

It's held up well enough that he used it for the commercial for his current tour.

Prince must've watched Dylan's "Don't Look Back" as far as his interviews go... he likes messing with journalists that don't get his music. And when someone like Tavis interviews him, it's more open and friendly. It's a performance.

Javi said:

Pop stars are frequently surrounded by mystery, and Prince more than any other. Reading his recent interviews, he always manages to not answer the questions at all.

I don't know, I like it like that, although I'd also like to know more things about him.

Sometimes mystery isn't prompted by the person in question, but by the others who observe him/her. People who don't fit in the conventions or the norms of the society generate controversy just by being different. Can this be the case of Prince? I think only partially: there's certainly some amount of business implied.

[Edited 9/4/11 7:35am]

I agree that people or "fans." of someone so well known create their own impressions, however, Prince has stirred up controversy here and there in his career. Just like you have said, Prince has refused to answer certain questions.

I don't necessarily believe that any one in the the public eye "should," or "has to," open-up for the public, but I would like to hear Prince talk about his personal life.

Maybe Prince would never open up to the public, but maybe Prince would bear his soul to one person. Although I even wonder about whether or not Prince would ever confide in any person except God.

It's retro done RIGHT

I likes it. I likes it alot.

dalsh327 said:

It's held up well enough that he used it for the commercial for his current tour.

Prince must've watched Dylan's "Don't Look Back" as far as his interviews go... he likes messing with journalists that don't get his music. And when someone like Tavis interviews him, it's more open and friendly. It's a performance.

I agree that the song has aged well, and I love the entire album...but has Prince's elusive behavior with his fans aged well? I don't personally think so. I believe it does a person good to tell people what is on your mind.

I know that Prince has sang about every emotion we can think of, but who is he to himself? And most importantly, Is Prince happy these days?

imago said:

It's retro done RIGHT

I likes it. I likes it alot.

It's a wonderful album!

imago said:

It's retro done RIGHT

I likes it. I likes it alot.

It wasn't retro when it was done!

That is exactly what I meant by saying that it was the perfect song, and album to welcome in the 80's. Prince was really setting the tone for the 80's vibe. Even "1999," and "Purple Rain," are from a decade that doesn't go without remembering Prince in Purple.

I would put Controversy, Let's Work, and Do Me Baby up against any 3 songs in Prince's catalog from any album.

Controversy may not be his best album, but those 3 songs are as good as any 3 songs Prince has ever made.

"hippy vs. cholo vs. rocker vs. jock vs stoner vs. gay"

... it's aged very well for me ... and only those close are the ones that need to know

I understand that people closest to Prince will know more of who he is.

When you have half of the world wondering about you, and above all caring about someone that has brought so much joy to you life through the music. We hope to develop trust.

Prince has been a spiritual guide through his music too. It would be sad to find out that Prince's intergrity wasn't clearly defined by living example.

I'm not sure what you're asking. You don't seem to be wondering if either the song or the album named Controversy has aged well. And you seem to be conflating controversy with mystery. And even then, I'm not really sure I understand what you're trying to get at.

But both the song and the album have aged incredibly well.

Still one of my fav song/album. As to the 2nd part of your questions, he is who he is and that what makes him special.

Efan said:

I'm not sure what you're asking. You don't seem to be wondering if either the song or the album named Controversy has aged well. And you seem to be conflating controversy with mystery. And even then, I'm not really sure I understand what you're trying to get at.

But both the song and the album have aged incredibly well.

I thought it would be interesting to talk about Prince's controversial mystery.

We listen to Prince's music, we get an idea of where he is coming from, we watch him age or grow spiritually, and then one day we wake up and say...

Who is this guy really? Here is this man whom we love that claims to be in a healthy relationship with God...but it doesn't appear that way when he is flirting all summer with a girl that is thirty years younger than he is. I think the issue is very controversial. I'm the first person that would love to kiss Prince's ass on a regular basis, but in this case, the controversial issue of a Godly man dating a young girl is a turn-off. Prince's behavior over the summer isn't the same kind of sexy as a man waiting for the altar to make love with his wife.

That is the up to date controversy that I don't think Prince needs to wear as a disguise.

All his money cannot buy respect.

[Edited 9/4/11 18:08pm]

Waht nonsense, that album is outstanding, Controversy, Do Me Baby and Lets Work are classics and Sexuality is right up there too. The only thing possibly dated about it, is the ultra cheap synthesiser on Ronnie Talk to Russia.

You want dated Prince music, listen to Come or Chaos and Disorder, or anything with Tony M in it, thats dated. Graffiti Bridge is uber dated, meaning it was dated when it came out (The movie).

[Edited 9/4/11 18:09pm]

Adorecream...The album is outstanding, and so is the song.

~I just can't believe human curiosity...C-O-N-T-R-O-V-E-R-S-Y

~Am I black or White? Am I straight or Gay?

~Do I believe in God? Do I believe in Me? Oh yeah...controversy!

I just don't believe it is necessary to be evasive with who you are and what you stand for 30 years later.

~I just can't believe the lack of his I-N-T-E-G-R-I-T-Y...Is Prince only gonna be what we pretend for him to be?

I don't want Prince or anyone to think that I am being real mean to Prince.

I've been a fan for a long time. I have put Prince on a pedestal for so many reasons, that I can't fathom looking at him like a rock legend, spiritual sweet-heart gone overboard "Playboy."

It would just not be a very good ending in the diary of my life.

I don't give up on Prince being a role-model. I just believe that in his larger circle of life Prince has more of an opportunity than the average person to make a difference. That difference is by example. I know Prince is a sinner as I am and everyone else, however, a writer who weeds through his own creative garden must certainly do the same thing with his soul.

When it is hard enough to go on a journey into the heart of your mate...Why wouldn't an older man want to regard the time he has left on this earth spending it with someone that can.

Prince would know everything about a 23 year old girl in 23 years. She will never be able to know all of him. The incompatability is not a good example to set for men that are looking for a worthwhile spiritual journey with a partner. Love can exist between any two people...but the time it takes to make that love a beautiful experience is a long time.

The title track is as awesome now as it ever was. However, the album is somewhat flawed IMO.

Even though it contains some much stronger material, it doesn't hang together as 'an album' as well as Dirty Mind does. It was the first Prince album that I thought contained some filler and the sequencing wasn't as good as it could've been.

[Edited 9/5/11 14:45pm]

bobbyperu said:

All of that is true. But I'm getting the feeling you're a bit jealous of Andy Allo...

I am, but I could be just as jealous of a 50 year old woman. I was pretty at 23 too...so I know what that is like, however, Prince has charmed me with his spiritual side in his music.

I feel let down by a man that seems like he is having a mid-life crisis...especially the pictures that I saw from the Zurich show.

Everyone has their vanity issues...I certainly have mine, I just thought that Prince was more grown up. I don't think that Andy Allo showed any class with her outfit on stage in Zurich. I think it was Prince's responsibility to promote modesty if he is going to bother promoting celibacy. She doesn't care what she looks like as a Bangle on his arm, as long as it turns him on...but at the same time, Prince's idea about a woman being more precious than rubies quoting Proverbs 31...goes out the window. How de-classe. How removed from a relationship with God not making a simple sacrifice such as that. When is the "stripper-eye-candy look out?" It makes a master musician look like he is trying too hard to impress the wrong people.

bobbyperu said:

I wasn't at Zurich but I saw 3 concerts in Holland this year and when it comes to Andy's looks she was dressed in boots and skirts and looked a whole lot more decent than Cat or Mayte who were basically dancing around in their underwear. So maybe Prince has become a bit more conservative after all.

In Zurich, Andy didn't wear a skirt. Her ass was barely covered with a shirt. I agree...Prince carried around "Tiffany's Gentleman's Club," back in the day when he was stupid.

But now, Prince looks like a father figure that looks like he doesn't care about what his daughter's wear. I know Prince cannot raise the girls of the world...but he could've done a little better with the one he's been around.

I realize that the way that someone dresses, does not represent their inner moral character, but it represents their outer moral character. Prince is too spiritually old to not have the discipline surrounding him.

I am sure that Andy Allo could grow up to be a sweet and beautiful woman...Yet she's better off saving her good-ness, before the sleezy world swallows her. Shame on you Prince.