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Pharrell says he's 'embarrassed' by Blurred Lines lyrics | Pharrell says he's 'embarrassed' by Blurred Lines lyrics |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Pharrell Williams says the controversy surrounding Blurred Lines made him realise some of his songs "catered" to a sexist culture. | Pharrell Williams says the controversy surrounding Blurred Lines made him realise some of his songs "catered" to a sexist culture. |
The singer says at first he didn't understand why some people saw the lyrics as "rapey". | The singer says at first he didn't understand why some people saw the lyrics as "rapey". |
But he later realised that "there are men who use the same language when taking advantage of a woman". | But he later realised that "there are men who use the same language when taking advantage of a woman". |
Blurred Lines was criticised by some who claimed the lyrics referred to non-consensual sex. | Blurred Lines was criticised by some who claimed the lyrics referred to non-consensual sex. |
It was banned at several universities and an advert featuring the song and models from the video was also banned from daytime TV in 2013. | It was banned at several universities and an advert featuring the song and models from the video was also banned from daytime TV in 2013. |
In an interview with GQ magazine, Pharrell, 46, said he was "born in a different era" and some things that were allowed at the time would "never fly today". | In an interview with GQ magazine, Pharrell, 46, said he was "born in a different era" and some things that were allowed at the time would "never fly today". |
Giving examples he referenced adverts that "objectify women" and "song content". | Giving examples he referenced adverts that "objectify women" and "song content". |
"Some of my old songs, I would never write or sing today. | "Some of my old songs, I would never write or sing today. |
"I get embarrassed by some of that stuff. It just took a lot of time and growth to get to that place." | "I get embarrassed by some of that stuff. It just took a lot of time and growth to get to that place." |
He said Blurred Lines was the turning point for him but he admitted that at first he "didn't get" why the song received such a backlash by some. | He said Blurred Lines was the turning point for him but he admitted that at first he "didn't get" why the song received such a backlash by some. |
The song - which was a collaboration with Robin Thicke - includes lines such as "I hate these blurred lines, I know you want it" and "Must wanna get nasty". | The song - which was a collaboration with Robin Thicke - includes lines such as "I hate these blurred lines, I know you want it" and "Must wanna get nasty". |
The singer said he saw that some women really liked the song and would sing those type of lyrics all the time. | The singer said he saw that some women really liked the song and would sing those type of lyrics all the time. |
"So it's like 'What's rapey about that?' | "So it's like 'What's rapey about that?' |
"And then I realised 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. | "And then I realised 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. |
"It just matters how it affects women. And I was like 'Got it. I get it. Cool'." | |
He added: "I realised that we live in a chauvinist culture in our country. I hadn't realised that. Didn't realise that some of my songs catered to that. So that blew my mind." | He added: "I realised that we live in a chauvinist culture in our country. I hadn't realised that. Didn't realise that some of my songs catered to that. So that blew my mind." |
Blurred Lines spent five weeks at number one in the UK charts and Pharrell has previously defended its lyrics. | Blurred Lines spent five weeks at number one in the UK charts and Pharrell has previously defended its lyrics. |
In an interview with Pitchfork in 2014, he said: "When you pull back and look at the entire song, the point is she's a good girl, and even good girls want to do things, and that's where you have the blurred lines. | In an interview with Pitchfork in 2014, he said: "When you pull back and look at the entire song, the point is she's a good girl, and even good girls want to do things, and that's where you have the blurred lines. |
"She expresses it in dancing because she's a good girl. People who are agitated just want to be mad, and I accept their opinion." | "She expresses it in dancing because she's a good girl. People who are agitated just want to be mad, and I accept their opinion." |
Pharrell and Robin Thicke have also had other issues over the song Blurred Lines. | Pharrell and Robin Thicke have also had other issues over the song Blurred Lines. |
They were told to pay $5m (£4m) in damages after Marvin Gaye's family claimed the song copied Gaye's 1977 hit Got to Give It Up. | They were told to pay $5m (£4m) in damages after Marvin Gaye's family claimed the song copied Gaye's 1977 hit Got to Give It Up. |
Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. | Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. |
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. | Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. |
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