Courtesy: Kevin Mazur/WireImageIt's not easy being Robin Thicke.
Days before the singer's 37th birthday, he performed for a packed house at Madison Square Garden—a career highlight for most musicians. And yet, Friday night's show was tinged with sadness as Thicke addressed the "couples" in the crowd after his split with wife Paula Patton, his high school sweetheart.
"We gotta learn to forgive each other, you know, learn to love each other, no matter who it is in your family or relationship," the recently single star told the crowd. "Hold on tight to the one you love."
The pair announced their separation on Feb. 24, and the "Blurred Lines" singer has repeatedly vowed that he won't give up on his eight-year marriage to Patton, with whom he has a 3-year-old son, Julian.
During his March 2 concert at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J., Thicke covered Al Green's "Let's Stay Together." The Grammy-nominated star then told the audience, "Never stop believing and you never stop loving. And even if it is over, make sure you treat each other right. Treat your family right. Take care of your mom, take care of your kids and good things will come to you. Just keep believing that God is good. That's what gets me by. Sometimes when I get a little scared or worried about the future, I just try to stay positive and do my part to spread love and spread joy."
Days earlier, when he took to the stage at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va., he once again addressed his breakup. "For y'all that don't know, me and my wife separated but I'm trying to get my girl back. She's a good woman," Thicke said. "I'm going to need you guys to help me through this," he continued. Thicke then dedicated his 2007 hit "Lost Without U" to his wife, who inspired the mid-tempo ballad.
Thicke will ring in his 37th birthday alone Monday, March 10, for the first time in more than 20 years.