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.
Lonely World
Robin Thicke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sexy girl on a plane, why you cryin', what's your name, who you runnin' from?
Teddy bear, pink room, fresh out of high school, sweet like the evening sun
Mama says, "Don't you think you're special."
Daddy says, "You're my queen."
She's afraid she's goin' nowhere, locked and lost between
Lonely girl, don't you see your life through someone else's eyes
Egg faced boy on a train, why you sad, what's your name, who you runnin' from?
Packed house, shared jeans, front porch, moon beams
He's gotta get out of this town
No more Bible he will travel, he'll learn so much in school
Daddy drinks himself into courage, says, "Fuck you, I'm no fool."
Oh lonely boy, don't you worry, baby; how can you get by?
Lonely boy, don't you live your life in someone else's eyes
Lonely girl, don't you worry, babe; how can you get by?
Lonely girl, don't you see your life through someone else's eyes
Dream on
Dream on, dreamers
Keep on dreamin'
Beautiful mom, can you smile, can you glow, can you sing me my favorite song?
Caught fever, one, clothes are clean, kids are gone, what to do, she's asleep in song
She says birds fly out her window, she watches jealously
She says she's too old for new things, but, mama, you've got wings
But, oh lonely girl, don't you lose your dreams for someone else's cries
Lonely girl, don't you see your life through someone else's eyes
Lonely world, don't you find your faith in someone else's lies
Lonely world, don't you live your life through someone else's eyes
Oh, dream on
Ooo, dream on, dreamers
Keep on dreamin', ooo
Dream on
(Dream on, dreamers)
Keep on dreamin'
Keep on dreamin'
(Oh)
The lyrics of Robin Thicke’s song ‘Lonely World’ are a powerful and poignant meditation on the struggles of life and the human condition. The lyrics describe the story of three separate individuals - a lonely girl on a plane, an egg-faced boy on a train, and a beautiful mom, lost in her thoughts. The girl is lost, fearful, and confused, seeking guidance and direction, while the boy is sad and on the run, searching for freedom and meaning in his life. Meanwhile, the beautiful mom is caught in the monotony and mundanity of her life, but she still dreams of greater things.
The song’s central message is that we should not be defined by our circumstances, nor should we live our lives according to the expectations of others. Rather, we should embrace our uniqueness and individuality, and follow our own dreams and aspirations. Otherwise, we will be doomed to a life of disappointment and disillusionment.
Line by Line Meaning
Sexy girl on a plane, why you cryin', what's your name, who you runnin' from?
Robin Thicke sees a girl crying on a plane and is concerned. He wants to know more about her, and why she is upset and what problems she is trying to escape from.
Teddy bear, pink room, fresh out of high school, sweet like the evening sun
Robin Thicke describes the girl he met as a sweet and innocent teenager who has just finished high school. Her room had a teddy bear and was painted pink.
Mama says, "Don't you think you're special."
The girl's mother doesn't want her to think of herself as unique or special.
Daddy says, "You're my queen."
The girl's father loves her very much and sees her as his precious queen.
She's afraid she's goin' nowhere, locked and lost between
The girl feels helpless, directionless, and unsure of what her future holds. She is stuck between different uncertainties and does not know what to do.
But, oh lonely girl, don't you worry, babe; how can you get by?
Robin Thicke comforts the girl and asks her how she can cope with her sadness and loneliness.
Lonely girl, don't you see your life through someone else's eyes
Robin Thicke advises the girl not to see her life and her problems through other people's perspectives. He asks her to take control and find her own path.
Egg faced boy on a train, why you sad, what's your name, who you runnin' from?
Robin Thicke sees a boy looking sad on a train and is concerned. He wants to know his name and why he is feeling low and what troubles he is trying to escape from.
Packed house, shared jeans, front porch, moon beams
The boy comes from a crowded house and has to share his clothes. He likes sitting on the front porch looking at the moon.
He's gotta get out of this town
No more Bible he will travel, he'll learn so much in school
The boy realizes that he has to leave his town to learn more about life. He wants to travel and experience new things. He doesn't believe in the Bible anymore, and he feels that education and traveling are the keys to his success.
Daddy drinks himself into courage, says, "Fuck you, I'm no fool."
The boy's father drinks a lot and curses a lot. He tells his son that he is not stupid and can do whatever he wants in life.
Oh lonely boy, don't you worry, baby; how can you get by?
Robin Thicke tells the boy not to worry about his loneliness and asks him how he can cope with his problems.
Lonely boy, don't you live your life in someone else's eyes
Robin Thicke advises the boy not to live his life based on other people's standards or opinions. He asks him to live freely and authentically.
Beautiful mom, can you smile, can you glow, can you sing me my favorite song?
Robin Thicke thinks about his mother and asks if she can be happy, radiant, and sing his favorite song.
Caught fever, one, clothes are clean, kids are gone, what to do, she's asleep in song
Robin Thicke's mother has come down with a fever, the kids have left the house, and despite the clean clothes, she doesn't know what to do. She falls asleep listening to music.
She says birds fly out her window, she watches jealously
Robin Thicke's mother sees birds flying out of her window and envies their freedom and escape from her confined life.
She says she's too old for new things, but, mama, you've got wings
Robin Thicke's mother believes that she is too old to do new things or make new changes in her life. However, Robin encourages her to use her own power to break free from her limiting beliefs.
Oh lonely girl, don't you lose your dreams for someone else's cries
Robin Thicke tells the girl not to give up on her dreams due to other people's problems or demands.
Lonely world, don't you find your faith in someone else's lies
Robin Thicke warns against finding comfort in other people's lies or false beliefs.
Lonely world, don't you live your life through someone else's eyes
Robin Thicke reminds the listeners to live their own lives and not base their decisions and values on other people's opinions and expectations.
Lyrics © Regard Music, Downtown Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ROBIN A. THICKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind