Robin Thicke 'Blurred Lines': Are R&B Crooner, Pharrell, and T.I. Lyrics Insinuating Rape?

Robin Thicke has found a huge hit with his single "Blurred Lines" but now the R&B crooner is facing criticism from music writers who accuse the song's lyrics of advocating rape. 

Many of the headlines generated from the song are based around the unedited version of its music video, in which Thicke and costars Pharrell and T.I. carouse with three models who wear almost nothing (and literally nothing above the waist). The musicians and models seem to have a good time, but critics use the themes against the song. 

The Daily Beast referred to the song as "rapey," noting that the vocalists are dressed to the nines (or at least the sevens) while their counterparts get only underwear and occasionally animals. Although that seems to fit in with the time-honored tradition of misogyny in pop music, others pointed out that the lyrics are a little creepy when considered. 

"I know you want it / You're a good girl / Can't let it get past me," Thicke sings. "I know you want it / But you're a good girl / The way you grab me / Must wanna get nasty."

The lines "I know you want it" and "Must wanna get nasty" are the ones that bother critics the most, as they suggest that Thicke knows best and doesn't need verbal permission. 

"Basically, the majority of the song (creepily named 'Blurred Lines') has the R&B singer murmuring 'I know you want it' over and over into a girl's ear," wrote Lisa Huyne for The Daily Beast. "Call me a cynic, but that phrase does not exactly encompass the notion of consent in sexual activity ... Seriously, this song is disgusting - though admittedly very catchy."

The song IS very catchy, hence it topping the Billboard charts in all of the major markets last week. The critics do have a point about some of the uncomfortable lyrics in "Blurred Lines," but they could have called them out when the song emerged months ago too.