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.
Top of the World
Robin Thicke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know how it goes
Come on come on
Now you feeling like a pimp,
You got everything you want, no wonder
Come on come on
'Cause you never gave up,
I'm on top of the world, on top of the world
I'm on top of the world, on top of the world
I'm on top of the world, on top of the world
I'm on top of the world, top of the world
She was a little girl picked on in school
Yeah she had funny teeth
All the kids called her tooth head
Years later when her moms got sick,
She did everything she could, but mama wasn't rich
She didn't stop, worked ten different jobs yeah
That put her through community college
Waitress, retail, hot dog on a stick
Telling herself that it won't end like this
Now she the boss, she the boss, she the boss
You see her riding up, yeah you know what it cost
Now she the one with the smile on her face
'Cause no one gave it to her, she earned that feeling
Come on come on
Now you feeling like a pimp,
You got everything you want, no wonder
Come on come on
'Cause you never gave up,
Now you singing that song all summer
I'm on top of the world, on top of the world
I'm on top of the world, on top of the world
I'm on top of the world, on top of the world
I'm on top of the world, top of the world
Now she wanna find love, and she can
Somebody who can hold umbrellas in the rain
But she's a little hardcore with the pros,
Could be goodbye goodbye before it's hello hello
Before you say a word, better have a breathe
Sitting with mine, if you have it ooh
I'm a sometime, but she's a lifestyle
I got a big hammer, but baby's a hard rock
Come on come on
Now you feeling like a pimp,
You got everything you want, no wonder
Come on come on
'Cause you never gave up,
Now you singing that song all summer
I'm on top of the world, on top of the world
I'm on top of the world, on top of the world
I'm on top of the world, on top of the world
I'm on top of the world, top of the world
(Baby) on top of it, (Baby) on top of it,
(Baby) she's on top of it, (Baby) on top of it
Yeah sometimes that's just how it goes
Now she well paid first class top grade
Go to sleep by herself only with the front page
Dreaming of the one thing she ain't got yet
That's somebody to hold when the sun sets
She start taking them pills just to feel good,
It's hard enough to be what she once was, keep it real
But she remembers how tough it was to get her
She can't be so hard on herself, yeah
You need a good time baby girl let it go
You need a good time baby girl let it go
You still so young, good times, let it go
You still so young, good times, let it go
Come on come on
Now you feeling like a pimp,
You got everything you want, no wonder
Come on come on
'Cause you never gave up,
Now you singing that song all summer
I'm on top of the world, on top of the world
I'm on top of the world, on top of the world
I'm on top of the world, on top of the world
I'm on top of the world, top of the world
In Robin Thicke's "Top of the World," the song tells the story of someone who has overcome hardship and has become successful. The first verse describes a little girl who was bullied in school for her appearance but overcame her adversity, working multiple jobs while caring for her sick mother and eventually becoming successful. The second verse portrays someone who has achieved success but seeks love and struggles to find the right partner. Throughout the song, Thicke uses the phrase "on top of the world" as a metaphor for achieving success and finding happiness.
The chorus, "Now you feeling like a pimp, You got everything you want, no wonder, Come on come on 'cause you never gave up, now you singing that song all summer," highlights the theme of perseverance and the idea that success comes to those who work for it. Additionally, Thicke acknowledges that achieving success is not the end-all-be-all and encourages listeners to enjoy the present and let go of past struggles.
Overall, "Top of the World" is a celebration of those who have overcome obstacles to achieve success and a reminder that true happiness comes from within.
Line by Line Meaning
Now you feeling like a pimp,
You are feeling confident and successful, like you've achieved everything you want
You got everything you want, no wonder
You have everything you've ever wanted, which is why you feel so satisfied
'Cause you never gave up,
You never gave up on your dreams and persevered through any obstacles
Now you singing that song all summer
Your happiness and confidence is evident to the point where you can't stop celebrating it all summer long
I'm on top of the world, on top of the world
I feel like I'm on top of the world because of all the success and happiness I've attained
She was a little girl picked on in school
She was once a little girl who was made fun of in school
Yeah she had funny teeth
She had unconventional teeth that kids found funny and teased her for
All the kids called her tooth head
Her classmates gave her the nickname "tooth head" due to her distinct teeth
Years later when her moms got sick,
Years later, her mother became ill
She did everything she could, but mama wasn't rich
She worked hard to take care of her sick mother despite not having much money
She didn't stop, worked ten different jobs yeah
She refused to give up and worked many jobs to make ends meet
That put her through community college
Her hard work allowed her to attend community college
Waitress, retail, hot dog on a stick
She worked as a waitress, in retail, and even at a hot dog stand to support herself and her mother
Telling herself that it won't end like this
She refused to accept that her life would always be difficult and promised herself that it would get better
Now she the boss, she the boss, she the boss
Now, she is in charge of her life and her success, and she revels in that power
You see her riding up, yeah you know what it cost
Others can see her success and recognize what she had to go through to reach it
Now she the one with the smile on her face
She now smiles because of the happiness and satisfaction she has found in herself and her life
'Cause no one gave it to her, she earned that feeling
She earned all of her success and happiness through hard work and perseverance
Now she wanna find love, and she can
Now that she has achieved success in pursuing her dreams, she feels ready to pursue love as well
Somebody who can hold umbrellas in the rain
She wants someone who will support her through all life's ups and downs
But she's a little hardcore with the pros,
She is a bit hardheaded when it comes to what she wants and needs in a relationship
Could be goodbye goodbye before it's hello hello
She is aware that she could scare off potential partners with her strong desires and demands
Before you say a word, better have a breathe
Anyone who approaches her needs to take a deep breath and be prepared for her intensity
Sitting with mine, if you have it ooh
She wants someone who can sit with her through anything, good or bad
I'm a sometime, but she's a lifestyle
She is someone who embraces all aspects of life, while the person she wants to be with may only enjoy it some of the time
I got a big hammer, but baby's a hard rock
She is strong and unyielding, and wants a partner who is equally as strong
Yeah sometimes that's just how it goes
That's how life can be sometimes, full of challenges but also full of rewards
Now she well paid first class top grade
She is now successful, wealthy, and at the top of her game
Go to sleep by herself only with the front page
She goes to sleep alone but with her accomplishments and success on her mind
Dreaming of the one thing she ain't got yet
Despite all her success, she still dreams of finding love
That's somebody to hold when the sun sets
She wants someone she can hold and love, to share in all the joys and challenges of life
She start taking them pills just to feel good,
She feels unfulfilled by her accomplishments and turns to substances to find happiness
It's hard enough to be what she once was, keep it real
Despite all her success, she struggles to stay true to who she was before
But she remembers how tough it was to get her
She remembers how difficult and challenging her journey to success was
She can't be so hard on herself, yeah
She needs to remember that she can be proud of what she has accomplished and shouldn't be too hard on herself
You need a good time baby girl let it go
She needs to relax and enjoy life instead of constantly striving for more
You still so young, good times, let it go
She is still young and has plenty of time to find more happiness and joy in her life
Lyrics © Regard Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JAMES D. GASS, ROBIN A. THICKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@81kasen01
The thicke man does it again why is he so damn underrated???
@travon04
I love this song!!!
@jasmineeelarae13
I can not FREAKING wait for the new album to come out LOVE YOU Robin:)
@Mak3luvn0twar
This is my Summer time feel good Track :)
@shawnhenderson979
2020!!!!
@MegaLoveNMusic
He's amazing!!!!
@jeffdmk6530
On the tracklist of "blurred lines"!!!!! I've waited this moment since one year i love it :-D
@SwagQuest
Very nice. I will be playing this song all summer.
@DeeCreative630
This song is THE BOSS!!
@GLAMCCCity
i come for myself. I Like it!