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Controversy

Chords

4.622 votes

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KeyOriginal

Chords

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

1/95

Tempo 80 BPMVol

Sound:

Position

Step 1 / 95Position: 4

1 index2 middle3 ring4 pinkyO openSpace = play/pause

[Intro]
   Keyboard
E|-F#7sus4------------------|-------------------|--------------------|-------------------|
B|-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|-------------------|
G|-------------------|-------------------|--------4-2~--------|-------------------|
D|-------------4-----|-------------------|--------6-4~--------|-------------------|
A|-4---6-----7---4---|-4---6-----7-------|--------------------|-------------------|
E|-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|-------------------|
 |                   |                   |                    |                   |
 | Guitar            |                   |                    |                   |
E|-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|-------------------|
B|-7---7-x-x-7-x-7---|-7---7-x-x-7-x-x-x-|-7-7-7-7-7---x-x-7--|-7-------7---x-x-x-|
G|-9---9-x-x-9-x-9---|-9---9-x-x-9-x-x-x-|-9-9-9-9-9---x-x-9--|-9---9-9-9---x-x-x-|
D|-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|-----9-9-----------|
A|-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|-------------------|
E|-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|-------------------|
[Verse 1]
F#7sus4I just can't believe all the things people say (controversy)
F#7sus4Am I black or white? am I straight or gay? (controversy)
[Chorus 1]
   Keyboard
E|-D#m7----------2-4-6-|-C#4-2---------2-4-6-|-B4-2-------------|-----------------|
B|-------2-4-------|-----4-----4-------|-----4-----------|-----------------|
G|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
D|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
A|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
 |                 |                   |                 |                 |
 | Guitar          |                   |                 |                 |
E|-----------------|-------------------|---------9---9---|-----9-x-7-------|
B|-----------------|-------------------|---------9-x-9---|-----9-x-7-------|
G|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
D|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
A|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
   D#m7Do I believe in C#god? do I believe in Bme? (controversy)F#7sus4  
[Verse 2]
F#7sus4I can't understand human curiosity (controversy)
F#7sus4Was it good for you? Was I what you wanted me to be? (controversy)
[Chorus 2]
   Keyboard
E|-D#m7----------2-4-6-|-C#4p2---------2-4-6-|-B4p2-------------|-----------------|
B|-------2-4-------|-----4-----4-------|-----4-----------|-----------------|
G|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
D|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
A|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
 |                 |                   |                 |                 |
 | Guitar          |                   |                 |                 |
E|-9---------------|-9-x-9-9-7-9-------|-9-x-9-9-7-9-----|-9-x-9-9-7-9-----|
B|-9---------------|-9-x-9-9-7-9-------|-9-x-9-9-7-9-----|-9-x-9-9-7-9-----|
G|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
D|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
A|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
E|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
   D#m7Do you get C#high? does your daddy Bcry? (controversy)F#7sus4  
[Chorus 3]
   D#m7Do I believe in C#god? do I believe in Bme?
   D#m7Some people wanna C#die so they can be Bfree
D#m7(I said) life is just a C#game, were all just the Bsame (do you wanna play?)
[Break]
F#7sus4
 D#m7   C#   Bx3
F#7sus4
[Chorus 4]
   D#m7Do I believe in C#god? do I believe in Bme?  let me tell ya...
   D#m7Some people wanna C#die so they can be Bfree
D#m7(I said) life is just a C#game, were all just the Bsame (do you wanna play?)
[Outro]
F#7sus4

All chords in this song (4)

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Controversy

by Prince

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#7sus4

D#m7

[Intro]

Keyboard

F#7sus4

E|-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|-------------------|

B|-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|-------------------|

G|-------------------|-------------------|--------4-2~--------|-------------------|

D|-------------4-----|-------------------|--------6-4~--------|-------------------|

A|-4---6-----7---4---|-4---6-----7-------|--------------------|-------------------|

E|-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|-------------------|

| | | | |

E|-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|-------------------|

B|-7---7-x-x-7-x-7---|-7---7-x-x-7-x-x-x-|-7-7-7-7-7---x-x-7--|-7-------7---x-x-x-|

G|-9---9-x-x-9-x-9---|-9---9-x-x-9-x-x-x-|-9-9-9-9-9---x-x-9--|-9---9-9-9---x-x-x-|

D|-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|-----9-9-----------|

A|-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|-------------------|

E|-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|-------------------|

[Verse 1]

F#7sus4

I just can't believe all the things people say (controversy)

F#7sus4

Am I black or white? am I straight or gay? (controversy)

[Chorus 1]

Keyboard

D#m7 C# B

E|-----------2-4-6-|-4-2---------2-4-6-|-4-2-------------|-----------------|

B|-------2-4-------|-----4-----4-------|-----4-----------|-----------------|

G|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|

D|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|

A|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|

E|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|

| | | | |

E|-----------------|-------------------|---------9---9---|-----9-x-7-------|

B|-----------------|-------------------|---------9-x-9---|-----9-x-7-------|

G|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|

D|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|

A|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|

E|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|

D#m7 C# B F#7sus4

Do I believe in god? do I believe in me? (controversy)

[Verse 2]

F#7sus4

I can't understand human curiosity (controversy)

F#7sus4

Was it good for you? Was I what you wanted me to be? (controversy)

[Chorus 2]

Keyboard

D#m7 C# B

E|-----------2-4-6-|-4p2---------2-4-6-|-4p2-------------|-----------------|

B|-------2-4-------|-----4-----4-------|-----4-----------|-----------------|

G|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|

D|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|

A|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|

E|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|

| | | | |

E|-9---------------|-9-x-9-9-7-9-------|-9-x-9-9-7-9-----|-9-x-9-9-7-9-----|

B|-9---------------|-9-x-9-9-7-9-------|-9-x-9-9-7-9-----|-9-x-9-9-7-9-----|

G|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|

D|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|

A|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|

E|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|-----------------|

D#m7 C# B F#7sus4

Do you get high? does your daddy cry? (controversy)

[Chorus 3]

D#m7 C# B

Do I believe in god? do I believe in me?

D#m7 C# B

Some people wanna die so they can be free

D#m7 C# B

(I said) life is just a game, were all just the same (do you wanna play?)

[Break]

F#7sus4

D#m7 C# B

F#7sus4

[Chorus 4]

D#m7 C# B

Do I believe in god? do I believe in me? let me tell ya...

D#m7 C# B

Some people wanna die so they can be free

D#m7 C# B

(I said) life is just a game, were all just the same (do you wanna play?)

[Outro]

F#7sus4

About Controversy Chords by Prince

Learn how to play Controversy by Prince with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Controversy chords”, “Controversy guitar chords”, or “Prince Controversy chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Controversy chords and for experienced players who want accurate Controversy lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include F#7sus4, E, B, G, D, A.

FAQ — Controversy by Prince

How do I play "Controversy" by Prince on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Controversy" by Prince on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Controversy" by Prince free?

Yes. The chords for "Controversy" by Prince are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Controversy" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Controversy" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Controversy"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Controversy" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Controversy" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Controversy" by Prince with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Prince below.

What key is "Controversy" in?

The chords for "Controversy" show the original chord names (including F#7sus4, E, B, G, D, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.