Cee Lo Green: "I am a f**k you"

Cee Lo Green has claimed that his new single is successful because it represents his character.

The Gnarls Barkley frontman, whose latest track 'F**k You' was written by Bruno Mars, said that the song would not have had the same success if Mars had released it himself.

"Some people have misconstrued Bruno's contribution as him writing the song for me," he told The Guardian.

"If he knew the song was gonna be a big hit, he'd-a wrote it for himself! Nobody else would've got away with it but me. Look at me! I'm not ideal image-wise, I don't think.

"I get a chance to stand out there and redefine what's doable. I am a f**k you - that's why the song works."

Discussing his forthcoming album The Lady Killer, the singer admitted that he shook off his usual eccentric style in the hope of creating a commercially successful record.

He added: "I could've said, 'This is the album, take it or leave it', but I don't think that's the right attitude to have right now.

"For too long I've been underground and underdog, and I need to be seen as the thing to do: 'This is the direction to go in - follow this man'."