Robin Thicke from the old days

ROBIN THICKE : Beyond the Blurred Lines

With  five of his most "soulful" songs

Earlier this year the world was witness to the rise to fame of this hip-hop/R&B singer for his billboard topper "Blurred Lines" with co-stars T.I. and Pharrell. The video and song have been in the scene from selling five million copies to being the recipient of harsh criticism for it's sexist and racy theme. Nevertheless the song remains to be at the top of the billboard list after four months of it's release, bringing global acclaim to the canadian born singer. 

But what a lot of people don't know is that he's been in the pop scene for more than ten years. Since the year 2000, Thicke has been writing, producing and making his contribution to the professional scene. Through a course of 13 years, he has experienced  a gradual rise to fame through some beautiful songs and fine productions, stepping on to the pop scene collaborating with some of the top players in the game like 50 cent, Snoop Dogg, Pharrell and Lil' Wayne. 

Although Blurred Lines may have placed him in the eyes of many as a sexist male popstar but such a view is rather blurred. Anyways, this article is being written to focus on some of Robin Thicke's finest works from the past, songs full of soul and so much vocal vibrato that they just sound incredible. Though none of the songs in this list achieved "Blurred Lines style" fame because, well they just didn't break out into the pop world in a similar fashion, but that's a completely different story.

Let's talk about soul.

The Sweetest Love (Something Else, 2008)

"Why do, people, smile when no one's smiling?"

"It's 'cos, they're thinking, of someone they're loving"

"Keep on, believing, we are meant to be and"

"Nothings, stopping, you and me from going to heaven"

This song has to be one of Thicke's finest works. Soft steady keys accompany Robin's voice as he sings the starting lines and then goes on to say, "Sweetest Love" with the most vibrato and fluidity you could ever sing two words in. It's an intro you can NOT stop listening to, and his voice is just so soft and gentle, it does perfect justice to the songs lyrics. One of my all time favourites from Robin Thicke. A must listen for every fan of soul.

Follow my lead (Curtis, 2007)

This has to be one of the finest hip-hop songs ever made. 

50 cent and Robin Thicke bring so much class into this song, this kind of thing doesn't happen very often. The pianos take you to a jazz bar lounge, everybody in black suits, pretty ladies glittering. 50 cent goes right into the feel of the  song with his steady rap. Sure this is not a Robin Thicke production,  but his voice and soulful way of singing make you want to hear  this song again and again. 

Pretty Lil' Heart (Love After War, 2011)

This is another great hiphop song featuring Lil' Wayne and what I love about this song is the marching band type horns that back up the verses around the chorus. The production has some very fine elements in it. Lil' Wayne does what he does best with his bassy, almost chameleon like voice and he does a spectacular job of it, his running verses towards the beginning of the chorus especially sound fantastic. Both singers' voices are completely in theme with the soft guitars in the intro and the progression of the guitars into the chorus accompanied by the horns is the genius of this song.

Tie My Hands (Something Else, 2008)

In the aftermath of hurricane Katrina in 2005, black communities in the south were widely neglected by the government and not provided adequate assistance as hundreds lost lives and property. Lil' Wayne, whose home town is in New Orleans, talks about the suffering of the people and lashes out against the government for it's neglection. Together with Robin, he has created a beautiful and meaningful song with some great parts in it by both Thicke and Wayne. 

Complicated (The evolution of Robin Thicke, 2006)

Now this is a slow bluesy pop tune with the sweetest of choruses but Robin's voice and style of singing makes this song much more than a pretty pop tune. There aren't many artists in the scene with the same kind of voice and style of singing producing song after song of such beauty and flow. So make no presumptions, ignore the public image the pop industry tends to brand artists with, because artists like this don't come around very often. Robin Thicke is truly, a rare find.

With wife Paula Patton