Robin Thicke drew inspiration from some of his biggest heroes when writing music for his forthcoming album, On Earth, and in Heaven.
The 43-year-old hitmaker took to social media on Friday (Feb. 5) to reveal the emotional meaning behind the album’s opener “Lucky Star,” which was inspired by his late father Alan Thicke, who died in 2016, and Uptown Records founder Andre Harrell, who passed away in May.
“This is the last song I wrote for the album and it’s also the first track on the album,” Thicke wrote on Instagram. “Once we had this song I knew the album was complete. You know that feeling you have when you’re all alone but you know that you’re not alone. That’s what ‘Lucky Star’ is about. That presence in your life that holds you tight, gives you hope, and lights the way. My father and Andre Harrell are my Lucky Stars.”
The post included a throwback photo of a young Thicke sitting alongside his actor dad on the set of 1980s/’90s sitcom Growing Pains, and another of the singer posing with his music industry mentor Harrell.
Thicke also shared a lyric video for “Lucky Star” on Friday. “When I’m down and out/ And I’ve lost my way/ Through the hardest nights and the darkest days/ Oh Lucky Star won’t you help me light the way,” he sings on the uplifting track.
In early January, Thicke announced plans to release On Earth, and in Heaven, first full-length album in six years. The forthcoming set is scheduled for release on Feb. 12, and marks the debut project under his new partnership between Lucky Music and Empire.
A minute-long trailer for On Earth, and in Heaven shows the singer’s highs and lows over the last decade, from topping the Billboard Hot 100 with “Blurred Lines” in 2013 to losing his father several years later.
Thicke’s last studio album, 2014’s Paula, was a tribute to his then-estranged wife Paula Patton. The LP debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200.
See Thicke’s emotional Instagram post here and listen to “Lucky Star” in the video below.
