Pharrell Williams has shared his thoughts on “Blurred Lines,” the 2013 smash hit he made with Robin Thicke and T.I.
The song, which the three artists co-wrote, was criticized by some as misogynist and even sparked conversations about consent.
Williams told GQ he initially didn’t understand what the fuss was about "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?”
Williams admitted his views changed when he looked beyond himself.
“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 behaviour. Or the way I think about things,” he explained. “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.”
The pop star said he realized there is a “chauvinist" culture. “Hadn't realized that," said Williams. "Didn't realize that some of my songs catered to that. So that blew my mind.”