"Let's Work" is a song by

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, released as the second single from his 1981 album ''

Controversy Controversy (, ) is a state of prolonged public dispute or debate, usually concerning a matter of conflicting opinion or point of view. The word was coined from the Latin '' controversia'', as a composite of ''controversus'' – "turned in an op ...

''. The song originates from a dance called "the Rock" that local kids were doing at the time in

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. Prince responded quickly with a track called "Let's Rock", and wished to quickly release it as a single. Warner Bros. refused, and a disappointed Prince did not include the song on ''Controversy'', saying the phase had passed. Instead, the song was updated with new lyrics and possibly new music and became "Let's Work"—one of his most popular dance numbers.

Background

The song is based on a funky bass line and features a shouted title throughout the song and relies heavily on keyboards to create a sexy groove in the verses and quick solos for the choruses. The lyrics are a tease, equating "working" with having sex. The song was backed with "Ronnie, Talk to Russia", which precedes it on the ''Controversy'' album. The extended

remix A remix, also sometimes called reorchestration or rework, is a piece of media which has been altered or contorted from its original state by adding, removing, or changing pieces of the item. A song, piece of artwork, book, poem, or photograph ca ...

features instrumental solos; Morris Day on drums; samples from "

" and "Annie Christian", two other songs from the same album; and additional, more insistent lyrics. Prince performed the extended version in concert during the ''Controversy'' and ''

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'' tours. This is the first US Prince single to include a non-album B-side (although it was previously released as a single in the UK). " Gotta Stop (Messin' About)" was written on the '' Dirty Mind'' tour, and is consistent with the minimalist demo-like quality of that album.

Critical reception

Daphne A. Brooks of ''

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'' called the song "an exquisite, mid-tempo dance track with a sinuously insistent bass line that fuels the electric slide togetherness of the party."

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also described "Let's Work" as "a bright and squeaky dance song". '' Cashbox'' said "Undoubtedly, this will get a good workout in the clubs and on B/C lists, and crossover is a strong possibility."

Personnel

Credits sourced from Benoît Clerc, Guitarcloud, Morris Day and David Ritz. *

– lead and backing vocals, ARP Omni, Oberheim OB-X, electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, handclaps * Morris Day – drums (extended version)

Charts

References

{{Authority control 1982 singles Prince (musician) songs Songs written by Prince (musician) Warner Records singles Song recordings produced by Prince (musician) 1981 songs