Prince Week - "Controversy"

Great great great song from Prince's 1981 album of the same name.  A lot of people don't know it because it was released pre-"1999" and before he became really famous.

The only video I could find is this low-quality live video from a show in NJ in '82.  He was only 23 and has the same confidence he has today.  And his band is so tight!  Incredible!

The lyrics are a little difficult to understand, but they're really powerful, so I've posted them below.  The song was written in response to critics who didn't quite "get" or know what to do with this weird looking kid.  So instead of focusing on his obvious and massive talent, they focused on what he looked like.  Some things never change...

The line "some people wanna die, so they can be free" is especially moving - I think it speaks to people who are bullied and don't feel like they can truly be themselves until they leave the physical restraints of this life.

"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

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

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

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

Love Him, love Him baby

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

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?"

#YearlongMixtape

#PrinceWeek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0pewqF8POE