"Sex Therapy" is a song by
American R&B singer
Robin Thicke
Robin Alan Thicke (born March 10, 1977) is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his 2013 hit single " Blurred Lines", which is one of the best-selling singles of all time. At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, h ...
. The R&B
ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads derive from the medieval French ''chanson balladée'' or ''ballade'', which were originally "dance songs". Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and ...
is the lead single from his album ''
Sex Therapy
Sex therapy is a strategy for the improvement of sexual function and treatment of sexual dysfunction. This includes sexual dysfunctions such as premature ejaculation or delayed ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, lack of sexual interest or arousal ...
''.
The song was released to the radio on October 20, 2009. Its tune and some other elements were sampled from the 1963 number-one song "
It's My Party" by
Lesley Gore.
Critical reception
''Kelsey Paine'' from ''
Billboard'' gave a positive review for the song, saying that:
"Robin Thicke delivers his signature smooth talk on "Sex Therapy". Producers Polow Da Don and Hot Sauce set up a languorous backbeat with understated synths and soft drum kicks, while Thicke turns the heat all the way up. 'Stressed out, uptight, overworked, wound up/Unleash what you got, let's explore your naughty side,' the singer croons. 'Just let me love you, lay right here, I'll be your fantasy/Give you sex therapy.' The come-hither lyrics, accompanied by Thicke's breathy falsetto and deep bass undertones, give the song an unforced eroticism that feels ideal for lovers of romance. Thicke's stripped-down brand of R&B is of an ultra-suggestive nature, but his earnest vocal performance is what ultimately keeps it classy."
Remix
The official remix features
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges (born September 11, 1977), known professionally as Ludacris (, homophonous with 'ludicrous' in American English), is an American rapper, actor, record producer and record executive.
Born in Champaign, Illinois, Ludac ...
and a short intro by
Polow Da Don
Jamal Fincher Jones (born October 15, 1977, or 1978), professionally known as Polow da Don, is an American record producer and rapper.
Jones has produced a variety of singles for a multitude of artists including "Anaconda" by Nicki Minaj (2014 ...
and was released December 17, 2009. The remix is a bonus track on the iTunes edition of ''Sex Therapy: The Experience'' as the "Luda Remix".
Music video
Robin Thicke
Robin Alan Thicke (born March 10, 1977) is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his 2013 hit single " Blurred Lines", which is one of the best-selling singles of all time. At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, h ...
confirmed on his
Twitter
Twitter is an online social media and social networking service owned and operated by American company Twitter, Inc., on which users post and interact with 280-character-long messages known as "tweets". Registered users can post, like, and ...
account that he shot the video for the song on October 24 in
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...
with music video director
Melina Matsoukas, at the same mansion that was featured in the video for
Hilary Duff
Hilary Erhard Duff (born September 28, 1987) is an American actress and singer. She is the recipient of various accolades, including seven Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, four Teen Choice Awards and two Young Artist Awards. She began her acti ...
's "
Reach Out". The video was released on November 19. Model
Saleisha Stowers made a cameo in the video.
Track listing
#"Sex Therapy" (album version) (4:36)
#"Sex Therapy" (instrumental) (4:36)
Credits and personnel
;Recording and mixing
* Recorded at No Excuses Studio,
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara ( es, Santa Bárbara, meaning "Saint Barbara") is a coastal city in Santa Barbara County, California, of which it is also the county seat. Situated on a south-facing section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Co ...
; mixed at
Conway Studios,
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
; Dockside Studios,
Point Pleasant.
; Personnel
*
Songwriting
A songwriter is a musician who professionally composes musical compositions or writes lyrics for songs, or both. The writer of the music for a song can be called a composer, although this term tends to be used mainly in the classical music gen ...
–
Ester Dean
Esther Renay Dean (born April 15, 1986) is an American singer, songwriter, music producer and actress. Dean has also written songs for many artists, with numerous Top 10 hits, including No. 1 hits for Rihanna and Katy Perry, earning the name " ...
,
Jamal Jones
Jamal Aman Jones (born April 24, 1981) is a former American football wide receiver. He was originally signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at North Carolina A&T. Jones is currently pursui ...
,
Paul Dawson, Robin Thicke, Seymour Gottlieb
* Sample – Elements of "
It's My Party" written by
Walter Gold, John Gluck Jr., Herb Weiner and performed by
Lesley Gore
*
Production
Production may refer to:
Economics and business
* Production (economics)
* Production, the act of manufacturing goods
* Production, in the outline of industrial organization, the act of making products (goods and services)
* Production as a stati ...
–
Polow da Don
Jamal Fincher Jones (born October 15, 1977, or 1978), professionally known as Polow da Don, is an American record producer and rapper.
Jones has produced a variety of singles for a multitude of artists including "Anaconda" by Nicki Minaj (2014 ...
, Robin Thicke
* Co-production –
Hollywood Hot Sauce
Paul Dawson, best known as Hot Sauce or Hollywood Hot Sauce, is an American music producer and songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. In short, Paul has written, produced and co-produced singles including Rihanna's "As Real As You and Me", ...
* Engineering – Jeremy Stevenson
* Engineering Assistant – Brian "Fluff" Allison
* Mixing – Rich Travali
Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''Sex Therapy'', Interscope Records, Star Trek.
Charts
On the week ending January 2, 2010, "Sex Therapy" debuted at number 100 on the US
''Billboard'' Hot 100. It has also become his second number one single on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs dated March 13, 2010 after "
Lost Without U
"Lost Without U" is a song by American singer Robin Thicke. It was released on December 4, 2006 as the second single from his second album, '' The Evolution of Robin Thicke'' (2006). ''People'' magazine voted the ballad as 2007 sexiest song of th ...
" peaked at number one in 2007.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sex Therapy (Song)
2009 singles
Music videos directed by Melina Matsoukas
Robin Thicke songs
Song recordings produced by Polow da Don
Songs written by Ester Dean
Songs written by Robin Thicke
Songs written by Wally Gold
Songs written by Polow da Don
2009 songs
Star Trak Entertainment singles
2000s ballads
Contemporary R&B ballads