Robin Charles Thicke (born March 10, 1977 in Los Angeles, California) is a … Read Full Bio ↴Robin Charles Thicke (born March 10, 1977 in Los Angeles, California) is a Grammy-winning American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, producer, and actor signed to Pharrell Williams' Star Trak label. Also known for being the son of performer Alan Thicke, he released his debut album, called 'A Beautiful World', in 2003. He has gone on to release 2006's 'The Evolution of Robin Thicke', 2008's 'Something Else', 2009's 'Sex Therapy', 2011's 'Love After War', 2013's 'Blurred Lines', and 2014's 'Paula'. He was married to actress Paula Patton until their 2014 divorce, and they have a son named Julian Fuego, born in April 2010.

Alan Thicke married actress Gloria Loring, known for starring in programs such as 'Days of Our Lives', in 1970, and he had the two sons Brennan Thicke and Robin Thicke. Half-brother Carter Thicke would become another member of the clan years later after Alan Thicke divorced and remarried. Brother Robin grew up in a household filled with music, with his dad being a singer (of tracks such as "Thicke of the Night") as well as a co-composer for several TV show theme songs and a seminal actor on both the big and small screens (examples being the shows 'Growing Pains' and 'How I Met Your Mother').

The young Robin Thicke taught himself to play piano at the age of twelve. Even at the age of fourteen, he found that he could play just about anything that he heard on the radio, feeling a drive to keep going further. Before his days as a singer-songwriter performing his own material,Robin Thicke wrote songs for the soul and pop groups 3T (with 1995's "Sexual Attention" bringing Thicke alongside Damon Thomas), Brownstone (with 1997's "Around You"), and Color Me Badd (an example being 1996's "Sexual Capacity"). He also collaborated with the acclaimed production duo of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on several songs for Jordan Knight's 1999 self-titled album. Thicke seemed to receive a great omen when Knight's album was certified Gold and gained huge fan acclaim.

In 2000, Thicke went to work on material for his debut album, which ended up being titled 'A Beautiful World'. The album focused more on blue-eyed soul than his pop-centered offerings for other artists, and he mixed in influences from eclectic funk (in the vein of the British group Jamiroquai) and and modern neo-soul music (in the vain of Canadian crooner Remy Shand). Thicke hoped that he was primed for huge things by late 2002 when the album became ready for release.

Thicke's lead single, called "When I Get You Alone", had a distinctive music video made for it. The disco and slick rnb fueled track sounded rather unlike the commercial pop ethos of the time, having a distinctive sampling of Walter Murphy's 70s dance music hit "A Fifth of Beethoven" (which itself had been inspired by Beethoven's Fifth Symphony). The video featured an unshaven Thicke, with long, grungy hair, as a courier racing through the streets of Manhattan on a bicycle. It received some rotation on MTV 2 and BET's "Rated Next", the song being spun moderately on urban radio. On the Hot 100, it reached #29 quite quickly, yet it fell out the chart just as fast. Globally, however, the song was quite popular. With his single peaking at #17 in Australia, #15 in Belgium, #15 in Italy, #8 in New Zealand, and #5 in the Netherlands, Thicke felt that he wanted another shot at the 'big time' in the U.S.

Devising the re-release of this album, which it then gaining its final title of 'A Beautiful World', Thicke added a few extra songs that he seemed confident of. Yet the album received very little corporate promotion, irritating Thicke despite the release of a second single, a Prince-like groove mixing funk with rock called "Brand New Jones". The album debuted at #152 in the Billboard 200 and didn't do much from there, selling a mere 59,000 copies. Still, his work ended up being received well by many critics and musical peers, with Trevor Nelson and Lil' Wayne (Weezy's 2005 release 'Tha Carter, Vol. 2' would even include some of Thicke's work) lauding Thicke's music, as well as many fans.

In 2004, artist Pharrell Williams asked Jimmy Iovine, CEO of Interscope, “What are you doing with Robin Thicke?” A few months later, Robin was recording a new single, titled “Wanna Love You Girl” with Pharrell in Miami, as a newly signed artist on Pharrell’s label, Star Trak Records. With the two musicians sharing the same love for genre-hopping, deliberately 'retro' music, the single immediately attracted the attention of radio and club DJs across the world after its August 2005 release. The song often given revamped names such as "Wanna Love U Girl", "Wanna Love You Girl (Feat. Pharrell)", and the like, it ended up doing very well in the U.K. in particular, hitting #5 on Trevor Nelson's BBC Radio 1 "Soul Nation" chart.

Now appealing more to the mainstream, Thicke cut off his trademark long hair in an attempt to further recreate himself. By October 2006, when his second album, titled 'The Evolution of Robin Thicke', came out in its entirely, he had built up a ton of momentum, and his work paid off. Thicke earned the #1 slot on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and additional singles such as "Got 2 Be Down" and "Lost Without U" saw huge fan responses. As the months went by, his album even earned platinum certification by the RIAA.

Having 'made it' in the truest sense commercially as well as critically, Thick remarked, "My greatest desire with this album was to write songs that were completely honest and sing them with the emotion I was feeling when I wrote them, so that whoever listens to my music is brought as close to my experiences and life as possible."

With this intention, Robin created songs such as, “Lost without You” (the second single). An instant classic, this song is about Robin’s insecurities and his need to be desired and loved. With sweeping vocals over rhythmic Spanish guitar, this song takes you away and makes you sing along.

On the psychedelic, “High School Man” is where Robin infuses rock and hip-hop and poetically admits “I’m a hater” as he hates on those with more success than him realizing, ironically, he just wants what they have.

Finishing off The Evolution of Robin Thicke is the hopeful and encouraging “Thank You.” On this gospel inspired, piano ballad Robin sings, “maybe I’m the one who never gets up ‘till he falls,” making the discovery that he has to be thankful for everything that comes into his life…the tears, the joy, the failures and the successes.

Always carrying a heavy heart, Robin taught himself to play piano at the age of twelve so he could have an outlet to express himself. By the age of fourteen, he could play anything he heard on the radio. At sixteen, with no formal training, Robin began professionally writing and producing music for recording artists like Brandy and Brian McKnight. Over the years he has amassed dozens of gold and platinum records with artists including Usher, Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson and Christina Aguilera.

Reflective, redemptive, passionate and etched with a soulfulness that is undeniable, The Evolution of Robin Thicke is an imaginative and heart-felt album that you cannot help but be moved by, bob your head to and smile throughout.

The album was released on October 3rd, 2006 and includes songs with Lil Wayne and Faith Evans, as well as Pharrell. The song "Got 2 Be Down" featuring Faith Evans was recently leaked (June '06). There will be two to three more videos released before the album comes out. Lately, there was a Busta Rhymes remix video shot for "Wanna Love You Girl," a Lil’ Wayne feat Robin Thicke "Shooter" video, and Robin has released the video for "Lost Without You," making that song the official 2nd single of the album.

I Don
Robin Thicke Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't know
I don't know
How it feels to be you
Though I try my best to understand what you're going through
I don't know
How it feels to be you

Though I try to learn your steps

I don't know what makes you dance
I don't know what turns your grey skies, back to blue
Though i try to see you're side
And swallow all my pride
There is no way I can take a, step in your shoes

'Cause I don't know
I don't know
How it feels to be you
Though I try my best to understand what you're going through
I don't know
How it feels to be you

So lay you're cheeks upon my chest
Tell me everything, that hunts you're mind
Oh wow oh oh oh
I may not have all the answers
But if you let me I, can at least try
(Let me try baby)
Uh uh uh
And when I'm sure I've had enough
The angels tell me just to, wait a while
Oh oh oh
And baby I am sorry
For being so hard on you sometimes
Oh yeah yeah

But I don't know
I don't know
How it feels to be you
Though I try my best to understand what you're going through
I don't know
How it feels to be you
Oh yeah yeah

Da da da da
Oh!
Da da da da
Come on baby!
Yeah!
You know that I love you!
Da da da da
You know that I'd try baby!
Da da da da
You know that I need you, all my life baby!

I don't know
I still don't know
How it feels to be you

And everyday I ask myself
Are we really on, the very same page
Oh huh
And everyday I wonder, is there something that I'm
Supposed to say
I wonder baby

'Cause you and I are so in time
Maybe I'm just, picking the wrong lines
Cause I feel it in my heart, you know I adore you
But sometimes you can't even look me, in the eye
Why oh why oh tell me why I don't know

I don't know
How it feels to be you
Though I try my best to understand what you're going through
I don't know
How it feels to be you
Oh yeah yeah baby

Da da da da
Da da da da
Uh baby!
Come on baby, come on
You know that I love you
Da da da da
You know that I'd try baby
Da da da da
You know that I, need you
All my life baby, I can't walk in your shoes
Da da da da
I can't keep singing your blues
Da da da da
You know I can't read your mind
I can't see life trough your beautiful eyes
But you know that I love you
Da da da da
You know that I'd try, try try
You know that I need you
Tell me why baby

'Cause I don't know
I don't know
I still don't know
But i try baby!
I don't know
I don't know
Still don't know
How it feels to be you

Oh
I don't know

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Robin Thicke's song "I Don't Know How It Feels To Be U" reflect the singer's attempt to empathize with his partner's feelings and emotions, but ultimately admitting that he cannot fully understand what they are going through. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration that despite his best efforts, he cannot truly grasp what they are dealing with. Thicke shows a desire to connect with his partner and help them navigate their struggles, but ultimately admits that he cannot fully comprehend their experiences.

Throughout the song, Thicke tries to relate to his partner by asking them to share their thoughts and emotions with him. He wants to be there for them in any way he can, but acknowledges that he cannot fully understand their unique perspective. Thicke expresses regret for any moments when he has been hard on his partner in the past, acknowledging that he was not fully aware of the challenges they were facing.

Overall, Thicke's lyrics convey a sense of empathy and understanding, while also admitting to his own limitations. The song carries the message that while we may not be able to fully understand other people's experiences, we can still offer compassion, support, and love.

Line by Line Meaning

I don't know
The singer is acknowledging that they lack the ability to understand what the other person is going through.

I try my best to understand what you're going through
Despite not fully comprehending the experiences of the other person, the singer is making an effort to empathize and be supportive.

Though I try to learn your steps
The singer is attempting to gain a better understanding of the other person's perspective and behavior.

I don't know what makes you dance
The artist is uncertain about what brings joy to the other person.

I don't know what turns your grey skies, back to blue
The artist is unaware of what factors help the other person overcome sadness or difficulties in their life.

Though I try to see your side
The singer is attempting to perceive the situation from the other person's point of view.

And swallow all my pride
The singer is willing to let go of their own ego and personal biases in order to better understand the other person.

There is no way I can take a step in your shoes
The artist acknowledges that they cannot fully experience what the other person is going through, even if they try to empathize.

So lay your cheeks upon my chest
The artist invites the other person to seek comfort and support from them.

Tell me everything, that haunts your mind
The artist is encouraging the other person to open up and share their concerns and worries.

I may not have all the answers
The singer understands that they may not be able to solve all of the other person's problems.

But if you let me I, can at least try
The artist is expressing their willingness to help and support the other person to the best of their abilities.

And when I'm sure I've had enough
The singer may feel overwhelmed or exhausted at times, but they are willing to keep trying to support the other person.

The angels tell me just to wait a while
The singer may be seeking guidance or inspiration from a higher power in order to better understand the other person.

And baby I am sorry
The singer acknowledges that they may have not been as understanding or supportive in the past and expresses regret.

Are we really on, the very same page
The artist is questioning whether they and the other person have the same understanding and expectations regarding their relationship or situation.

And everyday I wonder, is there something that I'm supposed to say
The artist may feel uncertain or anxious about how to best support the other person or communicate with them.

But I feel it in my heart, you know I adore you
The singer has genuine affection and care for the other person, even if they may not understand their experiences fully.

But sometimes you can't even look me in the eye
The singer may feel that the other person is distant or closed off, making it difficult to connect and understand them.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBIN A. THICKE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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