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Pharrell discusses "Blurred Lines" controversy in new interview

14 October 2019, 17:09 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

Pharrell has spoken about the controversy surrounding his feature on Robin Thicke's 2013 single "Blurred Lines" in a new interview.

In a new interview with GQ, Pharrell has reflected on "Blurred Lines" - a song he co-wrote with Robin Thicke that dropped six years ago and caused controversy with its lyrics.

Discussing his thoughts on the song when it first came out, Pharrell reflects, "I didn't get it at first. Because there were older white women who, when that song came on, they would behave in some of the most surprising ways ever. And I would be like, wow. They would have me blushing. So when there started to be an issue with it, lyrically, I was, like, What are you talking about? There are women who really like the song and connect to the energy that just gets you up. And I know you want it - women sing those kinds of lyrics all the time. So it's like, What's rapey about that?"

Looking at the track six years on, Pharrell adds, "And then I realized that there are men who use that same language when taking advantage of a woman, and it doesn't matter that that's not my behavior. Or the way I think about things. It just matters how it affects women. And I was like, Got it. I get it. Cool. My mind opened up to what was actually being said in the song and how it could make someone feel. Even though it wasn't the majority, it didn't matter. I cared what they were feeling too."

Earlier this summer Pharrell featured on Beyoncé's The Lion King: The Gift record.

The multi-talented musician has also been working with Dua Lipa on her second record, and fans think he may feature on Rihanna's next album too.

Read the full interview on gq.com.
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