THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

269-Prince-Controversy.

1981-It did not chart in the UK until reissued in 1993, when reaching Number 5.

Best Bit-At 5.29. Personally I am relieved that we are all not nude, because I believe that the majority of people look better with their clothes on.

Prince Rogers Nelson was born on June 7th, 1958, in Chanhassen, Minnesota, United States, he died on April 21st, 2016, at the age of 57, from an accidental overdose of the drug Fentanyl, which he took for pain relief, the Medical Examiners Office stated that there were no signs of suicide. Prince had been suffering increasingly excruciating pain from a hip problem for many years, and it had been rumoured that he had refused an operation which would have required a blood transfusion because of his beliefs as a Jehovah’s Witness. One of the uses of the drug Fentanyl is that it can be used as an aid for severe pain to aid relief.

With sales in excess of 150 million records Prince (see also best songs 884-487-85 and 54) is one of the best selling artists of all time. He released 42 studio Albums between 1978-2015, five live Albums, and nine compilations. He also released two Albums using the name ‘Madhouse,’ three Albums using the name ‘New Power Generation,’ and one Album as the ‘NPG Orchestra,’ At the time of writing there have been a further three posthumous Albums issued, with more in the offing. Prince released 102 official singles between 1978-2015, with another four to date having been released posthumously. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, 31 of his singles made the top 40, with five of his songs reaching the Number 1 spot, while in the UK he has had 44 singles reach the top 40, with ‘The Most Beautiful Girl in the World’ from 1994 being his only chart topper.

‘Controversy’ was the title track from the fourth studio Album released by Prince from 1981, all eight tracks on the Album were written and produced by Prince, with the exception of track 3 ‘Do Me Baby’ which was a co-write with long term collaborator Andre Cymone. Prince was also responsible for playing every instrument on at least five of the songs. On the single ‘Controversy’ it is rumoured that Morris Day may have played the drums, but he is uncredited on the Albums sleeves notes. The female vocals on the song are those of Lisa Coleman who was a member of Prince’s backing band ‘The Revolution’ from 1979-1986, and is credited on nine Prince studio Albums.

At the time of writing ‘Controversy,’ Prince was just beginning to come to terms with his new found fame and fortune, and the song addresses the media, and the public speculation about him at that time, The song addresses his sexuality, gender, religion, and racial background, and how he could not understand the curiosity surrounding him. Towards the middle of the song Prince recites the ‘Lords Prayer’ in full, which angered some, who said it was blasphemous, I would imagine that will have added even more-Controversy.

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