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.
Whatever I Want
Robin Thicke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can do whatever I want, finally
I can do whatever I want, freedom
I can do whatever I want, freedom
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, all over
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, all over
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, all over
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, yeah baby
Now that the monkey on your back is gone
Now that the pain and regret have moved along
Now that you finally have some piece of your mind
Who knows what buried treasure you might find, oh lord come on now
I can do whatever I want, oh yes you can
I can do whatever I want, I'm talking, talking 'bout freedom
I can do whatever I want, freedom
I can do whatever I want, freedom
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, all over
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, all over
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, all over
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, all over
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me
So deeply intrigued by what you've never had
Emotion explosions none of which are mad
Now every dream you feel is coming true
'Cause there ain't nobody,
Ain't nobody to tell you what to do
I can do whatever I want, yes you can baby
I can do whatever I want,
I'm talking, talking 'bout freedom
I can do whatever I want, freedom
I can do whatever I want, freedom
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, all over
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, all over
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, all over my body
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, say all right now dance
Dance with me dance with me, hey baby come on!
Dance with me dance with me, i wanna just dance with you
Dance with me dance with me, i got
Dance with me dance with me,
I can do whatever I want, ooh baby
I can do whatever I want, she got that freedom
I can do whatever I want, freedom
I can do whatever I want, she can do what ever she want
She got that freedom, freedom
She got that freedom
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, all over you body
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, I wanna kiss you all over
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me,
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me,
I can do whatever I want, oh yes you can
I can do whatever I want, she can do whatever she wants
I can do whatever I want, she can do whatever she wants
I can do whatever I want, freedom
The lyrics of Robin Thicke's song Whatever I Want explore a sense of newfound freedom and empowerment, with the singer relishing the ability to do as they please. The repetition of the chorus line "I can do whatever I want" reinforces this central theme, while the verses describe the potential rewards of this freedom - the chance to explore buried treasure, experience emotional highs, and achieve long-held dreams.
The repeated refrain of "Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, all over" has a sensual energy, suggesting a physical expression of this newfound freedom and desire. It is possible that the song is addressing a particular person or relationship, with the singer enjoying a new sense of autonomy within this context. The eventual invitation to dance suggests a celebratory mood and a desire to fully embrace this newfound freedom and lust for life.
In summary, Whatever I Want is a track about throwing off the shackles of the past and embracing a sense of personal liberation, with a focus on physical and emotional pleasure. The repeated chorus of "I can do whatever I want" serves as a powerful exclamation of this newfound agency, while the sensual energy of the verses suggests a specific context and the potential rewards of this freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
I can do whatever I want, ooh baby
I have the freedom to make any choice I want without any constraints, and it feels good
I can do whatever I want, finally
After spending a long time feeling like I couldn't make my own decisions, I finally have the power to do what I want
I can do whatever I want, freedom
The sense of liberation I feel from having the ability to act according to my own desires is indescribable
I can do whatever I want, freedom
There are no limits to what I can do now that I am free to choose my own path
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, all over
My desire to be loved and physically close to someone has been fulfilled, and I revel in the pleasure of it
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, all over
I want to be kissed everywhere and all over my body, and nothing is stopping me from indulging in that pleasure
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, all over
I want to be engulfed in love and affection and feel it all around me, every inch of my body
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, yeah baby
I am completely swept away by the feeling of being adored and I revel in it
Now that the monkey on your back is gone
After overcoming some sort of obstacle, I feel a great sense of relief and freedom
Now that the pain and regret have moved along
I have finally let go of the past and any negative emotions that were weighing me down
Now that you finally have some piece of your mind
I have gained a sense of clarity and calmness in my thoughts and emotions
Who knows what buried treasure you might find, oh lord come on now
With nothing holding me back, I am excited to explore new opportunities and discover things I never knew were possible
So deeply intrigued by what you've never had
The novelty of having complete freedom of choice is exhilarating, and I am eager to try things I previously couldn't
Emotion explosions none of which are mad
My feelings are intense and powerful, but they are positive and not driven by anger or negativity
Now every dream you feel is coming true
With no restrictions on my actions, I feel like I can achieve anything I set my mind to
'Cause there ain't nobody, ain't nobody to tell you what to do
Without anyone else dictating my choices or actions, I am completely free to do as I please
Dance with me dance with me, hey baby come on!
I am so overwhelmed with happiness and joy that I want to dance and share this feeling with someone else
Dance with me dance with me, i wanna just dance with you
I want to connect with someone through the physical expression of dance and share this moment of liberation together
Dance with me dance with me, i got
This moment of freedom is too good not to share, and I want to dance with someone to celebrate it
Dance with me dance with me
I am completely caught up in the moment and just want to keep dancing and feeling free
I can do whatever I want, she got that freedom
The person I am with also has the same sense of liberation and freedom, and it feels amazing to share this together
I can do whatever I want, freedom
The feeling of being able to make my own choices and be free from any external pressure is truly liberating
I can do whatever I want, she can do what ever she want
Both myself and the person I am with have the power to do as we please, and the mutual freedom is intoxicating
She got that freedom, freedom
The person I am with also shares my feeling of liberation and has the same sense of freedom to make their own choices
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, all over you body
I want to feel every inch of the person I am with and be physically close to them, exploring their body with kisses
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, I wanna kiss you all over
My desire to kiss and be kissed by the person I am with is overwhelming and I want to feel this pleasure in every part of my body
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me
I am completely wrapped up in the moment and want to express my love and passion through physical touch
I can do whatever I want, oh yes you can
The feeling of freedom and liberation is so strong that I can't help but revel in it and remind myself of its power
I can do whatever I want, she can do whatever she wants
Both myself and the person I am with are completely free to do as we please, and this sense of mutual freedom is exhilarating
I can do whatever I want, she can do whatever she wants
The complete lack of any external constraints means that both myself and the person I am with can truly do whatever we want, without any limitations or restrictions
I can do whatever I want, freedom
This feeling of being completely free to make my own choices and act according to my own desires is something I never want to take for granted
Lyrics © Regard Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JAMES D. GASS, ROBIN A. THICKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind