Robin Thicke Discusses “Blurred Lines” Trial and His “Personal Hell” With Drug Use

Robin Thicke is telling all! On Wednesday (July 1, 2015) The New York Times published a very candid interview with the singer/songwriter/producer. In that conversation with music critic, Jody Rosen, Thicke discusses many events in his personal life that have become headlines in the news for the last year and a half. Most of the conversation centered on his feelings behind the controversial “Blurred Lines” trial verdict. That verdict, which Thicke is trying to repeal orders him and Pharrell Williams to pay Marvin Gaye’s family 7.4 million dollars. This ruling comes after a jury found their 2013 hit to sound too similar to Gaye’s 1977 hit, “Got To Give It Up.” Since the jury’s ruling, it has sparked a debate among music fans, both for and against the jury’s decision. Rosen began the interview by asking Robin for his reaction the trial’s outcome.

“I was surprised. Very surprised. Obviously, that’s why we’re appealing. I know the difference between inspiration and theft. I’m constantly inspired, but I would never steal. And neither would Pharrell. “

Robin Thicke Featuring Pharrell Williams And T.I. 

“Blurred Lines” (Explicit)

From Blurred Lines

Star Trak/Interscope Records

“What I will — what I can say — is that when I did the deposition, it was two weeks after my separation from my wife. I was going through personal hell at the time. And I was careless in the deposition. I can’t go into the details of what was said in the deposition beyond that, because of the ongoing litigation.”

He elaborated on his personal distractions by also saying,

“My personal issues were all that mattered to me at the time. That’s why I use the word “careless” to describe my attitude at the time. Obviously, I didn’t give my all to the trial. It simply wasn’t as important to me as what was going on in my personal life. I was lost at the time. I had lost my way.”

Robin Thicke and his ex wife, Paula Patton announced their separation to the public in February of 2014. Paula eventually filed for divorce in October of 2014. The divorce was finalized in March of 2015. While Paula was not brought up directly very often at all, it was clear that the divorce played a significant role in the narrative of the interview. Robin spoke very openly about how his drug use, combined with the fame he experienced from the success of “Blurred Lines” destroyed his life at the time when he should have been the happiest.

“When “Blurred Lines” first exploded, I had this chip on my shoulder: “Hey, wait a second! I’ve been doing this for 15 years, guys!” And then, you know, I started to force it a little bit. The ego is a very dangerous place. I was supposed to be living the dream, and yet I was in a nightmare because of a crumbling marriage. I had finally reached the pinnacle of success — on paper, I had it all. But I wasn’t happy. And so you start grasping for something else to make you happy. Drugs and alcohol became a way for me to cope. And then you start saying things in interviews, desperate for a little extra attention. And then it becomes a sympathy tour.”

Those personal struggles were echoed on Robin’s 7^th studio album, Paula. That album , which was released on July 29^th, 2014, chronicled the events of Robin and Paula’s break up . It was intended to be a tribute to his estranged wife, and was first viewed by him as a grand romantic gesture. However, when reflecting on it in this interview, Robin described the experience as “embarrassing.” However since Paula inspired the majority of the music in his discography, he also still stood by his art.

“I was struggling through my toughest time, and I decided to share it. And I remember my team and my record company didn’t want me to put it out, but they stuck by me. In hindsight, the only thing I would have done differently was, I wouldn’t have promoted it or sold it. I would have given it away. That would have kept the purity of the message intact.”

Robin Thicke 

“Get Her Back”

From Paula 

Star Trak/Interscope Records

“Forever Love”

From Paula 

Star Trak/Interscope Records

Now after some much needed time out of the spotlight, Robin Thicke is back at what he does best, singing soulful love songs. He recently joined Tori Kelly and Ne-Yo on stage at the 2015 BET Awards to participate in a fantastic tribute to Motown legend, Smokey Robinson. He also just released his first single since his divorce. That song, “Morning Sun” returns him to his Urban Adult Contemporary roots. It also shows the world that the “Blurred Lines” trial vs Marvin Gaye’s family has not affected his creative process. “Morning Sun” gets it’s inspiration from Barry White’s 1973 hit “”I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby.” However, this time around, Robin and his team made sure to tell the world that he doesn’t steal from his heroes. The song’s writing credits are as follows, “Robin Thicke/Barry White.”  He is currently in the studio working on his eighth album, which Star Trak/Interscope Records intends to release before the end of the year. To read more of Jody Rosen of The New York Times’ revealing interview with Robin Thicke CLICK HERE! Keep checking back here at Clizbeats.com for more details on his new album as they become available. Hopefully it is a project that will show the talent of a happier and healthier, Robin Thicke!

Tori Kelly, Robin Thicke, And Ne-Yo 

“Smokey Robinson Tribute”

(SORRT BUT BET.COM PLAYERS PLAY AUTOMATICALLY, ON A LOOP AND HAVE TO BE MAUALLY STOPPED)

2015 BET Awards 

Robin Thicke 

“Morning Sun” 

Star Trak/Interscope Records

From I’ve Got So Much to Give 

20th Century Fox Records