Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines prompts unexpected classical hit

27 August 2013, 14:18

The R&B chart smash has driven a surge in sales for a violin and harpsichord duet of the same name.

Thousands of R&B fans hoping to listen to Robin Thicke's chart-topping hit Blurred Lines have accidentally discovered a piece of contemporary classical music by 86-year-old Canadian composer John Beckwith - also called Blurred Lines.

Beckwith's piece was streamed more than 4,000 times in the space of a month, after Robin Thicke fans accidentally stumbled across the 10-minute duet for violin and harpsichord.

Suspicions were roused after staff at the contemporary music record label Centerdiscs spotted a sudden increase in international hits, as thousands of visitors flocked to their site to hear the composition. It seemed odd that only the one track from the album was being downloaded, until they realised the music shared its title with the summer anthem.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the music couldn't be more different: Beckwith, who hasn't yet heard Robin Thicke's chart-topping track, describes his quarter-tone inspired music as being 'like a slow elegy'.

"I wish every success to Robin Thicke and I hope he wishes me some success…" Beckwith joked. Thicke's No. 1 hit has clocked up more than 151 million views on YouTube since it went online 5 months ago.

You can hear Beckwith's Blurred Lines here.