Of all the boots I've listened to over the years, "Controversy" is the one song, especially in the last six or seven years of his performing career, that consistently blew the roof off the joint.

He often phoned in "Let's Go Crazy," "Delirious," "Kiss," "U Got the Look," etc., and of course the sampler medley was just a lazy way for him to toss off several hits without any real investment. But "Controversy" was the one older song he always seemed invested in, especially from 2009-onward when it just became a giant funk monster. The way he'd build up the excitement in the crowd before he'd drop the lead groove, the songs he'd incorporate in the middle, etc., he just seemed to love doing this one.

The only other ones I can think of (barring ones he significantly reinvented - "LGC," the bluesy "Little Red Corvette" and "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man") are "The Beautiful Ones" and "Nothing Compares 2 U."

Some of my favorite performances:

Coachella 2008

Monaco Night 1 2009

Oracle Arena 2011

Madison Square Garden 2011

Chiacgo Night 2 2012

Rally 4 Peace Broadcast

I don't know if it's the best live song, but it is definately very popular live.
I don't think their is a period when he did not do it live

Maybe the SOTT/Lovesexy period?

It seemed to be a very flexible live song alright, more so than many. I'd probably agree with you.

I don't think Let's Go Crazy was ever as good as the Revolution version with any band until he reinvented it with 3rd Eye Girl. Kiss similarly had a revamp around 2010 with the extended dance section that worked very well.

Musicology was consistently good as well, although your mileage on how good a song it is in the first place may vary, I always loved it myself.

I know a lot of fans were very, very sick of it but I never tired of Take Me With You live, I always felt it went down very well with the general crowd and that's why he kept it in the set.

[Edited 9/13/17 8:38am]

I personally think the live performances of DO ME, BABY from both the Controversy and 1999 tours were Prince's greatest live performances ever...

In a way I agree. The last few years this became one of my favorites live. Especially that intro, when the bass and guitar kick in...................... man, that moment grabbed my by the troath several times. During North Jazz he played that segment twice because of the problems with the sound. I was happy as can be! Loved it, love it!!

But then again, this is Prince................ I have tons of favorite tunes!

OldFriends4Sale said:

I don't know if it's the best live song, but it is definately very popular live.
I don't think their is a period when he did not do it live

Maybe the SOTT/Lovesexy period?

Nah, it was out from 1991 to 2000 and again during the ONA period. I don't think he did it the first year with 3rdEyeGirl, either, though it found its way back in 2014. I also think it was only played maybe once or twice on the Puprle Rain tour (I know for sure on 2/23 it was played).

[Edited 9/14/17 8:32am]

[Edited 9/14/17 8:33am]

67Cadillac said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

I don't know if it's the best live song, but it is definately very popular live.
I don't think their is a period when he did not do it live

Maybe the SOTT/Lovesexy period?

Nah, it was out from 1991 to 2000 and again during the ONA period. I don't think he did it the first year with 3rdEyeGirl, either, though it found its way back in 2014. I also think it was only played maybe once or twice on the Puprle Rain tour (I know for sure on 2/23 it was played).

[Edited 9/14/17 8:32am]

[Edited 9/14/17 8:33am]

thanks, yeah I'm forgetting he most likely did not do it during that early NPG period especially the Gold Experience

Well everything before 1993 was out during the Gold Experience lol.

I think each tour has stand out live tracks.

Ones that spring to mind for me are:

Nude Tour: Take Me With You and Baby I'm A Star

Act II ('93): Peach

Gold tour: Endorphin Machine

i think controversy always came off good in Prince's later years because it sounded like REAL PRINCE music surrounded by a bunch of cover songs and 30 second snippets of 'hits'.

OldFriends4Sale said:

Have yet to hear Controversy live where I didnt become elated. Even though he changed it up in years, all versons are hyped to me. Id eat it if I could.

It was good live when he didn't put horns into it. It should be a synth song.

DMSR

I love the way he performed this song on the 1999 tour...so full of energy!

I just can't believe all the things people say.....you sing it!......controversy!!

Controversy was last played live in Atlanta during the 1st show April 14, 2016.

I just can't believe
All the things people say, controversy
Am I black or white?
Am I straight or gay? Controversy

Do I believe in God?
Do I believe in me?
Controversy, controversy
Controversy

I can't understand
Human curiosity, controversy
Was it good for you?
Was I what you wanted me to be?
Controversy

Do you get high?
Does your daddy cry?
Controversy, controversy
Controversy

Do I believe in God?
Do I believe in me?
Some people wanna die
So they can be free

I said life is just a game
We're all just the same
Do you wanna play?
Yeah, yeah, yeah

Controversy, controversy
Controversy, controversy
Controversy, controversy

Our Father, who art in Heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven

Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those
Who trespass against us

Lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power
And the glory forever and ever

Controversy, controversy
Controversy, controversy
Love Him, love Him baby

Controversy, controversy
Controversy, controversy
Controversy, controversy

Listen, people call me rude
I wish we all were nude
I wish there was no black and white
I wish there were no rules

People call me rude
I wish we were all nude
I wish there was no black and white
I wish there were no rules

People call me rude
(People call me rude)
I wish we were all nude
(I wish we were all nude)

I wish there was no black and white
(I wish there was no black and white)
I wish there were no rules
(I wish there were no rules)

People call me rude
(People call me rude)
I wish we were all nude
(I wish we were all nude)

I wish there was no black and white
(I wish there was no black and white)
I wish there were no rules
(I wish there were no rules)

Controversy, controversy

Do I believe in God?
Do I believe in me?
Let me tell ya
Some people wanna die
So they can be free

I said life is just a game
We're all just the same
Don't ya wanna play?

Controversy, controversy
Controversy, controversy

I listen often that live ver from Hawaii

.

http://princevault.com/index.php?title=Single:_Controversy_(Live_In_Hawaii)

.

[Edited 9/16/17 10:32am]