Robin Thicke is enjoying a pop culture moment with the upbeat Marvin Gaye-esque single "Blurred Lines," but the song didn't click with his record label when he previewed it last summer.

"The record company didn't get it. They didn't even pay for the video. They didn't want to support it at all. Remy Martin paid for the video," said the 36-year-old crooner, who is a spokesperson for the liquor brand with his wife, actress Paula Patton. "And as soon as the record company saw the video, they said, 'This is a smash.'"

The ubiquitous "Blurred Lines" is the longest-running No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart this year with nine weeks on top. The video — the unrated version with nude models prowling was banned from YouTube — has more than 125 million views. The title track from Thicke's fifth album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart this week after selling 177,000 copies units, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Thicke mostly wrote and produced the album, released by Universal Music'sInterscope Records, with assists from will.i.am, Dr. Luke, Timbaland and Pharrell, his frequent collaborator since 2006. The 11-track set features a funkier, up-tempo sound that's somewhat of a departure for the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, best known for his bedroom grooves "Lost Without U" and "Sex Therapy."

In an interview with The Associated Press, Thicke talked about the song's success, switching up his style and what's up next.

AP: Did "Blurred Lines" sound like a hit to you?

Thi took off?

Thi

AP: How do you think the naked video helped push the song to the top of the charts?

Thi How did you loosen up?

Thicke: I loved the albums just the way they are. I have no regrets ... but I figured I don't want to be one thing; I have to take some chances.

AP: What's next?

Thicke: I want to get right in the studio. I want to make a country album, a Christmas album, a gospel album. I'm like finally! I'm ready to make four albums right now.