Robin Thicke Talks Paula Patton Split: "I Was Selfish"
Blurred Lines star opens up about their break-up and reveals why he decided to dedicate his new LP to his estranged wife...
Robin Thicke has divulged more details regarding his split from wife Paula Patton, admitting that he was "selfish".
During an interview with Hot 97's Ebro In The Morning, the singer revealed why he decided to dedicate his seventh studio LP to Paula, stating: "The album is what happens when you lose the love of your life and you try to figure out in your head like, ‘How am I gonna move on?’
“Because we weren’t together anymore, I had so much that I still wanted to apologize for and take responsibility for and that’s what the album is about.”
It was all good just a year ago, when Thicke’s single, Blurred Lines, rocketed to the top of UK singles chart. Unfortunately, the trappings of superstardom sometimes come with an exorbitant price tag.
“Last year was really just kind of a blur in many ways, no pun intended,” he said. “Everything happened so fast and you don’t realize all the things that come with it.
"I changed and I got a little too selfish and a little too greedy and a little to full of myself. At this point in our relationship, the only reason we’re not together is because of the choices I made.”
Those choices led to the dissolution of his nine-year marriage to his high-school sweetheart. It also led to an apology tour of sorts, with Thicke offering up songs like Get Her Back at awards shows and concert stops to win back the love of his life. The question remains, though: has Paula actually heard Paula?
“She hasn’t heard it,” Thicke admitted. “She’s only heard a few songs. And I don’t think she wants to hear it right now. I can’t speak for her, but I think space is an important part of any healing process.”
Part of Thicke’s healing process, then, is releasing this album and owning up to his missteps: “I’m a man,” he said, when prompted about the meaning of the song, Opposite of Me.
“I messed up and had to lie for a while and then I stopped lying and that was actually good for me because I was tired of lying. So this whole album is me revealing everything.”
One of the big revelations to come from his candid interview is that he and Paula really do live separate lives at this point.
“I try to keep most of that private, but I haven’t seen her for four months,” he said with remorse. “And you know, we cool, she’s the best girl in the world, a great mother and still a good friend.
"But I also want to wish her well and let her know that she’s a great person and she deserves to have a good life.”
Although visibly heartbroken from the break-up, the 37-year old admitted that the experience has been a learning lesson that has completely humbled him.
“When you lose your family, that’ll slow you down,” he said. “We’re apart because we just couldn’t be together anymore for awhile there’s a hundred different reasons, there isn’t just one. There’s a long list.
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey (Uh)
Hey, hey, hey (Ha-ha!) (Woo!)
Tune me up
If you can't hear what I'm trying to say (Hey girl, come here!)
If you can't read from the same page (Hey)
Maybe I'm going deaf (Hey, hey, hey)
Maybe I'm going blind (Hey, hey, hey)
Maybe I'm out of my mind, mind (Hey, hey, hey)
Okay, now he was close
Tried to domesticate you
But you're an animal
Baby, it's in your nature (Meow)
Just let me liberate you (Hey, hey, hey)
You don't need no takers (Hey, hey, hey)
That man is not your maker (Hey, hey, hey)
And that's why I'm gon' take a good girl (Everybody get up)
I know you want it (Hey)
I know you want it
I know you want it
You're a good girl (Hey, hey)
Can't let it get past me (Oh yeah)
You're far from plastic (Alright)
Talkin' 'bout getting blasted
I hate these blurred lines
I know you want it (Hey)
I know you want it (Oh-oh-oh-oh, yeah-yeah)
I know you want it
But you're a good girl (Ah, hey)
The way you grab me
Must wanna get nasty (Ah, hey, hey)
Go ahead, get at me (Everybody get up) (Come on!)
What do they make dreams for
When you got them jeans on? (Why?)
What do we need steam for?
You the hottest bitch in this place
I feel so lucky (Hey, hey, hey)
You wanna hug me (Hey, hey, hey)
What rhymes with hug me? (Hey, hey, hey)
Hey! (Everybody get up)
Okay, now he was close
Tried to domesticate you
But you're an animal
Baby, it's in your nature (Uh-huh)
Just let me liberate you (Hey, hey, hey) (Uh-huh)
You don't need no takers (Hey, hey, hey) (Uh-huh)
That man is not your maker (Hey, hey, hey) (Uh-huh)
And that's why I'm gon' take a good girl (Everybody get up)
I know you want it
I know you want it (Hey)
I know you want it
You're a good girl
Can't let it get past me (Hey)
You're far from plastic (Oh)
Talkin' 'bout getting blasted (Everybody get up)
I hate these blurred lines (Hate them lines)
I know you want it (I hate them lines)
I know you want it (I hate them lines)
I know you want it
But you're a good girl (Good girl)
The way you grab me (Hustle Gang, homie)
Must wanna get nasty (Let go) (I say Rob)
Go ahead, get at me (Let me holla at 'em real quick)
One thing I ask of you
Let me be the one you back that ass up to (Come on!)
Go from Malibu to Paris, boo (Yeah)
Had a bitch, but she ain't bad as you (Uh-uh, ayy)
So, hit me up when you pass through (Oh)
I'll give you something big enough to tear your ass in two
Swag on 'em even when you dress casual
I mean, it's almost unbearable (Hey, hey, hey!) (Everybody get up)
In a hundred years not dare would I
Pull a Pharcyde, let you pass me by
Nothin' like your last guy, he too square for you
He don't smack that ass and pull your hair like that (You like it)
So I'm just watchin' and waitin'
For you to salute the true big pimpin'
Not many women can refuse this pimpin'
I'm a nice guy, but don't get it confused, get pimpin' (Everybody get up)
Shake your rump
Get down, get up
Do it like it hurt, like it hurt
What, you don't like work?
Hey! (Everybody get up)
Baby, can you breathe?
I got this from Jamaica
It always works for me
Dakota to Decatur (Uh-huh)
No more pretending (Hey, hey, hey) (Uh-huh)
'Cause now you're winning (Hey, hey, hey) (Uh-huh)
Here's our beginning (Hey, hey, hey) (Uh-huh)
I always wanted
You're a good girl (Everybody get up)
I know you want it (Hey)
I know you want it
I know you want it
You're a good girl
Can't let it get past me (Oh yeah)
You're far from plastic (Alright)
Talkin' 'bout getting blasted
I hate these blurred lines (Everybody get up)
I know you want it (Hey)
I know you want it (Oh-oh-oh-oh, yeah-yeah)
I know you want it
But you're a good girl (Ah, hey)
The way you grab me
Must wanna get nasty (Ah, hey, hey)
Go ahead, get at me
Everybody get up
Everybody get up
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Until that fateful day, Thicke will continue to focus on setting things right, especially himself.
“My music is my therapy,” he stated. “When I make these songs and I listen back to them, they make me feel good about myself because at least I’m admitting my faults, I’m trying to become a better man and better person, better father.
"This album is dedicated to her, but half of it is about my problems and me getting certain things together so I can be the kind of man that I wanted to be.”