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.
Shakin
Robin Thicke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Papi, oh papi
I need to dance
'Cause she shakin' it for daddy (yeah)
She shakin' it for me (yeah)
She shakin' it for daddy (yeah)
She shakin' it for me
She shakin' it so fast, for the cash (ching-a-ling)
She ready and she lookin' for a bank roll (ching-a-ling)
She movin' 'round and 'round, like a merry-go-round (ching-a-ling)
She be like, "I be, I be, I be, on that money shit" (yo) (ching-a-ling)
She be like, "I be, I be, I be, on that money shit" (yo) (yeah, ladies)
Ayo, I be, I be, I be, I be, I be, I be on that money shit
Get da sloppy toppy, roger, copy, I be runnin' shit
Money in the air, it's a festival
'Cause I ball, no testicles (hmm)
I'm flyer than an eagle that's balding
I throw it back like hairlines, that's balding
I stay balling, I don't mean Spalding
I never answer when the referee's calling
She got me jerkin' in the back
Think I'm 'bout to fall in love
'Cause she make that booty roll, when she comin' down the pole
I swear she got my heart, went from cash to credit cards
Got me spendin' all my money
Shit, I could've bought a car (yeah)
You know you like it, babe
You know you like it, babe
Yeah, I like it babe, yeah, I like it, babe
You know you want it, babe
Yeah, you want it, babe
Yeah, I want it babe, oh-oh
'Cause she shakin' it for daddy (yeah)
She shakin' it for me (yeah)
She shakin' it for daddy (yeah)
She shakin' it for me
She liftin' up her ass, and she drop it to the beat (beat)
She shakin' it so fast, for the cash (ching-a-ling)
She ready and she lookin' for a bank roll (ching-a-ling)
She movin' 'round and 'round, like a merry-go-round (ching-a-ling)
She be like, "I be, I be, I be, on that money shit" (ching-a-ling)
She be like, "I be, I be, I be, on that money shit"
And when this other girl grabbed me
And she whispered in my ear
She said, "This other girl ain't doin' shit, it's crackin over here"
She put my hand on her booty
And her jiggle make me woozy
Now we bout to made a movie
In the club, goin' stupid
You know you like it, babe (yeah)
You know you like it, babe
Yeah, I like it babe, yeah, I like it, babe
You know you want it, babe
Yeah, you want it, babe
Yeah, I want it baby
'Cause she shakin' it for daddy (yeah)
She shakin' it for me (yeah)
She shakin' it for daddy (yeah)
She shakin' it for me
She liftin' up her ass, and she drop it to the beat (beat)
She shakin' it so fast, for the cash (ching-a-ling)
She ready and she lookin' for a bank roll (ching-a-ling)
She movin' 'round and 'round, like a merry-go-round (ching-a-ling)
She be like, "I be, I be, I be, on that money shit" (ching-a-ling)
She be like, "I be, I be, I be, on that money shit"
You was sleepin' on me, thinkin' it was slumber time
Now I'ma trendin' topic, little mama, number sign
Wa-wanna play? Meet me at the fumble line
'Cause I'm a ninja, cowabunga time
Buzzin' like a bee, but nope I don't sting-a-ling
Jing-a-ling-a-ling, I show 'em the middle finger ring
Ting-a-ling-a-ling, school bell a-ring-a-ling
Stick shift the ding-a-ling, ball like Yao Ming-a-ling
'Scuse me, what happened? I'm flyer than a robin
I'm flyer than an eagle, yeah, Donavan McNabbin'
And wen I pop that pussy, I pop it on his Suzuki
I pop it so crazy kooky, I'm rockin' them daisy dukies (oh)
I be shakin' it for daddy, he want more, more, more
Got that Bentley, got that Caddy, and they all four door
If I pull him by the collar, boy, he gonna holler
I be shakin' it for daddy, he want more, more, more
'Cause she shakin' it for daddy (oh)
She shakin' it for me (yeah)
She shakin' it for daddy (oh-oh)
She shakin' it for me
She liftin' up her ass, and she drop it to the beat (beat)
She shakin' it so fast, for the cash (ching-a-ling)
She ready and she lookin' for a bank roll (ching-a-ling)
She movin' 'round and 'round, like a merry-go-round (ching-a-ling)
She be like, "I be, I be, I be, on that money shit" (ching-a-ling)
She be like, "I be, I be, I be, on that money shit"
Yeah, girl
You know what I want you to do right (she shakin' it for daddy)
(She shakin' it for daddy)
Shake it, shake it, shake it
(She shakin' it for me)
Shake it for daddy, girl
I be on that money shit
I be on that money shit
I be on that money shit
Oh
The lyrics of Robin Thicke's song "Shakin' It 4 Daddy" are about a girl that is dancing provocatively for her sugar daddy. The girl is lifting up her rear end and dropping it to the beat, all while shakin' it for her daddy. She is quick to remind others that she is on that "money shit" and looking for a bank roll. She is ready to do what it takes to make money, including dancing at a club for cash.
The song is filled with provocative and suggestive language that objectifies women. The lyrics talk about women's body parts like they are objects and promote the idea that women are only good for their bodies. The song also carries a vulgar tone which has led to some criticism. However, others find the lyrics to be catchy and entertaining for parties and clubs.
Line by Line Meaning
Daddy, oh daddy
Addressing a man, possibly a sugar daddy for whom the dancer is performing
Sup, I wanna dance, yeah
The dancer is seeking to perform a sexual dance for daddy
Cause she shakin' it for daddy (yeah)
The dancer is shaking her body to please the man she's addressing as daddy
She shakin' it for me (yeah)
The dancer is shaking her body to please the man she is addressing as me
She liftin' up her ass and she drop it to the beat
The dancer is emphasizing her buttocks by lifting and dropping it in sync with the music
She shakin' it so fast for the cash, ching-a-ling
The dancer is shaking her body very quickly to earn money, hence the sound 'ching-a-ling'
She ready and she lookin' for a bank roll, ching-a-ling
The dancer is ready and looking for a man with money, hence the sound 'ching-a-ling'
She movin' right around like a mari-go, ching-a-ling
The dancer is moving around in circles like a merry-go-round, hence the sound 'ching-a-ling'
She be like, I be I be I be on that money shit (ching-a-ling)
The dancer is repeating that she's all about making money, hence the sound 'ching-a-ling'
I be I be I be I be I be I be on that money shit
The man who calls himself Robin Thicke is also all about making money
Get da sloppy toppy roger copy I be running shit
Robin Thicke is requesting oral sex and proclaiming he's in charge
Money in the air its a festival
There is a lot of money being thrown around like confetti
Cause I ba-ba-ba-ba-ball no testicles (hm)
A play on words, he's saying he's a 'baller' (successful person) without the need for testicles (less manly)
I'm flyer than an eagle that's balding
Robin Thicke sees himself as very attractive despite having an imperfect feature
I throw it back like hair lines that's balding
Robin Thicke is proud of his ability to dance and perform even with his receding hairline
I say balling I don't mean Spaldings
Robin Thicke is saying he is 'balling' or successful, not playing with Spalding basketballs
I never answer when the referees calling
Robin Thicke is not concerned with following the rules, even in sexual or financial transactions
She got me jerkin in the back
The dancer is making Robin Thicke aroused and excited
Think I'm bout to fall in love
Robin Thicke is experiencing strong emotions and attachments to the dancer
Cause she make that booty roll
The dancer's buttocks are very sexy and are causing Robin Thicke to become excited
When she comin' down the pole
The dancer is sliding down a pole in a sexually suggestive way
That's when she comin' hard
The dancer is completing her move very energetically and provocatively
From cash to credit cards
The dancer is accepting various forms of payment from her clients
Got me spendin' all my money
Robin Thicke is spending a lot of money, perhaps beyond what he can afford
Shit I could've bought a car (yeah)
Robin Thicke is lamenting the amount of money he's spending and what he could have done instead
You know you like it bad
He is confident that women enjoy his sexual advances and behavior
Yeah I like it bad (oh) yeah I like it bad
Robin Thicke is admitting that he enjoys behaving badly sexually
You know you want it bad
Robin Thicke is confident that women want him sexually
Yeah you want it bad
He is addressing a specific woman, stating that she wants him sexually
Yeah I want it bad oh-oh
Robin Thicke is admitting that he wants to behave badly sexually
And when I saw the girl grab me
He is describing a situation where a girl he likes grabs him affectionately
And she whispered in my ear
The girl is whispering something suggestive or intimate in his ear
She said this other girl ain't doin' shit
The girl is telling Robin Thicke that another girl he was interested in is not as attractive or enticing
Its crackin' over here
The girl is telling Robin Thicke that he should come over to her side/group because it is more fun and/or exciting
She put my hand on her booty
The girl is taking Robin Thicke's hand and placing it on her buttocks in a sexually suggestive way
And she jigglin' me woozy
The girl is making Robin Thicke feel weak or dizzy with her sexy dancing
Now we bout to make a movie
Robin Thicke and the girl are about to engage in sexual activities, possibly filmed or documented in some way
In the club go stupid
People in the club are acting foolish or wild, likely due to alcohol or drug consumption
She be like, I be I be I be on that money shit
The dancer is repeating that she's all about making money
Yeah girl
Robin Thicke is expressing agreement or affirmation to a girl/dancer
She shakin' it
The dancer is shaking her body in a sexually suggestive way
I be on that money shit
Robin Thicke is repeating that he is focused on making money
I be on that money shit (oh!)
Robin Thicke is emphasizing that he is focused on making money
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Esther Dean, Paul Dawson, Jamal F. Jones, Onika Tanya Maraj, Robin Thicke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind