Robin Thicke Opens Up About “Blurred Lines” Lawsuit, The Upcoming Appeal And His Album ‘Paula’

Robin Thicke opened up about the “Blurred Lines” lawsuit and his controversial deposition in a revealing new interview.

Robin Thicke Talks “Blurred Lines” Marvin Gaye Lawsuit

Thicke has remained quiet since a jury ruled that he and “Blurred Lines” co-writer Pharrell Williams were guilty of copyright infringement after finding that their song significantly resembled Marvin Gaye’s “Got To Give It Up.” The jury ordered that the two pay Marvin Gaye’s Estate $7.3 million – $4 million in damages in addition to a percentage of profits from both Thicke and Williams. The controversial decision left many in the music industry confused and concerned for the future, as the copyright infringement was not based on the chord progressions of the two songs – or any musical similarities that are traditionally used to determine plagiarism – but rather on a “feeling.” Pharrell and Thicke are currently preparing to appeal the decision.

“I was surprised. Very surprised. Obviously, that’s why we’re appealing. I know the difference between inspiration and theft. I’m constantly inspired, but I would never steal. And neither would Pharrell,” Thicke told The New York Times, speaking about the lawsuit for the first time since the verdict.

Thicke explained that the heart of the matter lies in knowing the difference between inspiration and theft. The musician, who has long been accused of being heavily inspired by artists who came before him, said it’s impossible for artists and musicians not to be somewhat inspired by what they have heard before.

“It comes right down to knowing the difference between being inspired and stealing. Why would I want to, or have to, steal from anybody to make my music? Inspiration can be subliminal. As a songwriter, you’re obviously trying to create a brand-new feeling that comes from your heart. But you can’t help but be inspired by all of the greatness that came before you,” he admitted.

Both Pharrell and Thicke had publicly stated that they were inspired by Gaye prior to the suit, though Thicke later attempted to backtrack his statements in court by saying that he was on drugs while promoting the hit song. During the deposition leading up to the case, Thicke confessed he was “high on Vicodin and alcohol” when he and Pharrell were writing “Blurred Lines” and during interviews, suggesting he did not remember saying that he had been influenced by Gaye’s song.

When asked about his alleged drug use, Thicke admitted he found refuge in “drugs and alcohol” as his marriage deteriorated, saying, “The ego is a very dangerous place. I was supposed to be living the dream, and yet I was in a nightmare because of a crumbling marriage. I had finally reached the pinnacle of success – on paper, I had it all. But I wasn’t happy. And so you start grasping for something else to make you happy. Drugs and alcohol became a way for me to cope. And then you start saying things in interviews, desperate for a little extra attention. And then it becomes a sympathy tour.”

Looking back on his strange deposition, Thicke confessed he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to fight for his song, noting that the deposition took place at the same time as his marriage to actress Paula Patton was falling apart.

“What I will – what I can say – is that when I did the deposition, it was two weeks after my separation from my wife. I was going through personal hell at the time. And I was careless in the deposition,” Thicke said. “Obviously, I didn’t give my all to the trial. It simply wasn’t as important to me as what was going on in my personal life. I was lost at the time. I had lost my way,” he added.

Robin Thicke Calls Paula Tour “Embarrassing”

As Thicke prepares to appeal the decision, he is also re-emerging as an artist after his failed album, Paula. In 2014, Thicke went on a desperate tour to get his wife back, releasing an album titled Paula and awkwardly dedicating televised performances to his estranged wife.

The strange public gestures failed to repair his marriage and Patton filed for divorce in October of 2014. While Thicke does not regret releasing the album, he revealed that he now realizes that he should have gone about things differently. “What I thought was romantic was just embarrassing,” he said.

Robin Thicke Releases New Music

After being confronted by a close friend, Thicke decided to take time off from public life, and instead focus on his young son, Julian, who he shares with Patton. Thicke is now looking forward to the future with a new album currently in the works inspired by his time with his family.

“The moment when I put my son first in all my movements and decisions is when everything changed for me. I’d been in love with my high school sweetheart for 20 years, and I knew nothing else – and when that fell apart, I lost hope and faith in the good things. And then with some time off to just put my son first, I realized how special my life is, just with him. Everything got better from that moment on. So that’s what my new album is about,” he said.

Thicke just released a new song, titled “Morning Sun.”

Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.