Richard Marx‘s new album may be titled Beautiful Goodbye, but he swears it’s not about his breakup with longtime love, Dirty Dancing‘s Cynthia Rhodes. “There were people who thought that, especially with the name of the album, that it was going to be a record about splitting up,” Marx tells PEOPLE. “And it’s not that at all. It’s really a celebration of romance and seduction.” The pop singer announced his divorce from his wife of 25 years in April, but the couple had been separated since last July. “It has been a painful time,” he said. “But I don’t necessarily want to bury myself in songs about it, frankly, out of respect. I have nothing but love and respect for my ex-wife and I don’t really want to delve into that in songwriting so much. Not to say that I never will, but I didn’t feel like that’s where I wanted to write from. I wanted to write from a more positive, inspired, hopeful place.” The 50-year-old has built a career on love ballads such as “Right Here Waiting” and “Hold On to the Nights,” but Beautiful Goodbye has a decidedly different feel.

“I’ve got a handful of songs that get used in a lot of weddings – they’re songs about forever and eternity and until the end of time,” Marx said. “But I found these new songs to be more about sex and ‘What are you doing for the next few hours?’ as opposed to forever. That was really a fun place to write from – there’s something so mystifying about that dance that two people do, especially in the early goings of a potential relationship when you’re circling each other and figuring each other out.” So has his ex-wife heard his new music? “I don’t know,” he confessed. “That would be the last thing in the world that would be important for us to discuss.” Another thing he won’t talk about? The reason for his divorce. “I wouldn’t discuss that with even some of my close friends. It’s really nobody’s business,” he said. “What I will say is that I had the great fortune and blessing to not only be married to Cynthia for all those years, but to just share her company.

There’s not a finer human being. I’m very grateful that we were together, had three amazing sons and I can’t say enough about what an amazing person she is and how lucky I was to share that time with her.” Beautiful Goodbye is out now. Check out the music video for the album’s first track, “Whatever We Started,” below. Want more stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter and other special offers: Thank you for signing up!Look #1: The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday, so I have started celebrating early by incorporating some red, white and blue into my looks. I found this cute Mickey Mouse t-shirt with cut off sleeves from Topshop last year and wear it all the time. Sometimes I tuck it into a skirt to make it a little more dressed up, but for this outfit I paired it with sexy, '70s style (low waist, ankle crop) jeans from Current/Elliott. They have tiny polkadots all over them which adds some fun to an otherwise plain pair of jeans. I've never worn white shoes until I bought this strappy pair with wooden heels from Alexander Wang.

They're the perfect summer shoe. Another accessory perfect for summer? This Rebecca Minkoff M.A.C. canvas purse. I love the cool blues and tan leather accents, it goes with everything! lambrequin curtains definitionCompleting my look was my fave Michael Kors rose gold watch.beydoun curtains lebanon Look #2 On Friday night I went to a dinner party at Sunset Beach on Shelter Island. kim's curtains waxhawThe name gives it away: I'm convinced it's the most spectacular place on Long Island to see the sunset. omega curtains bridgendI showed up in a pretty casual outfit of a tank top and jean shorts. swish curtain track coventry

However, there is a gift shop attached to the charming Sunset Beach Hotel and during the cocktail hour of this party thrown by Harry Winston, I wandered in and perused the racks. cupcake curtains neopetsI found a stunning, backless black dress by Haute Hippie and slipped behind the canvas curtains to try it on. I am a sucker for anything backless... I had to have this dress! The saleswoman cut off the tags for me and I walked back into that party feeling fabulous. My Panama hat and K. Jacques studded sandals made the look effortless and still casual enough for the beach. Look #3: A few years ago, the incredibly talented designer, Thakoon, made me a dress for the Met Gala, otherwise known as "the Oscars of Fashion." During my fittings for that dress at his studio, he let me peek around at some of the other looks from his ready-to-wear line. One of the dresses I took home was this sheer purple chiffon floaty number.

It has some red accents in it and incredible detailing. My mom and I share clothes, so after I wore it a few times, I gave it to her to enjoy. I recently rediscovered this stunning dress and remembered why I loved it so much. On Saturday evening, I went to a lovely garden party in Bridgehampton and knew this would be perfect! I paired it with my Wang strappy white sandals and new Dannijo earrings made of red and purple crystals.You can follow Hilary Rhoda on Twitter here. Trends & Shopping Guides Alessandra Ambrosio is Showing Her Love 10 Straw Beach Bags to Tote On Your Spring Break Getaway The Best Affordable Accessories for Spring Get Natalie Portman's Oscars Luncheon Dress for $65 #TheLIST: What the Street Style Set Are Buying for Fashion Week 11 Not-So-Basic Aviators to Shop Now Kate Middleton Steps Out in Regal Purple Malia Obama Sports Laid-Back NYC Style #TheLIST: In The Red #TheLIST: This Valentine's Day Adopt then SHOPJon Rhodes (Curtain Makers to the Trade)