Blonde is the second studio album by American singer Frank Ocean. It was re… Read Full Bio ↴Blonde is the second studio album by American singer Frank Ocean. It was released on August 20, 2016, exclusively on the iTunes Store and Apple Music along with a CD from the Boys Don't Cry Magazine which features an extra verse on "Nikes" by KOHH.
Blonde features an abstract and experimental sound in comparison to Ocean's previous releases, encompassing styles such as R&B, pop, soul, avant-garde, indie rock, electronica, psychedelia, and hip-hop. Ocean also notably makes use of pitch shifted vocals. The Beach Boys' de facto leader Brian Wilson is recognized as a strong influence on the album's lush arrangements and layered vocal harmonies, while the guitar and keyboard rhythms on the album are considered as languid and minimal. The album's themes surrounds Ocean dealing with his masculinity and emotions, inspired by sexual experiences, heartbreak, loss and trauma. The album also features guest vocals from André 3000, Beyoncé, and Kim Burrell, among others. Production was handled by Ocean himself, alongside a variety of high-profile record producers, including Malay and Om'Mas Keith, who collaborated with Ocean on Channel Orange, as well as James Blake, Jon Brion, Buddy Ross, Pharrell Williams, and Rostam Batmanglij, among others.
In 2013, Ocean confirmed that his follow up to Channel Orange would be another concept album. In April 2014, Ocean stated that his second album was nearly finished. In June 2014, Billboard reported that the singer was working with a string of artists such as Happy Perez (whom he worked with on nostalgia, ULTRA., Charlie Gambetta and Kevin Ristro, while producers Hit-Boy, Rodney Jerkins and Danger Mouse were also said to be on board. Initially known as Boys Don't Cry and teased for a July 2015 release, the album suffered several delays and was the subject of widespread media anticipation leading up to its release. Beginning in 2013 and ending in 2016, recording for the album took place at New York's Electric Lady Studios and, after a period of writer's block, in London at Abbey Road Studios and in Los Angeles' Henson Recording Studios. Its physical release was accompanied by a magazine entitled Boys Don't Cry.
Rather than going on a typical promotional tour playing radio festivals and appearing on television shows, Ocean spent a month after the release of Blonde, traveling to countries such as China, Japan and France. He also chose not to submit Blonde for consideration at the Grammy Awards, stating: "That institution certainly has nostalgic importance... It just doesn't seem to be representing very well for people who come from where I come from, and hold down what I hold down."
Blonde received widespread acclaim, with critics praising Ocean's introspective lyrics and the album's unconventional and progressive sounds. Critics also complimented the album for challenging the conventions of R&B and pop music. Supported by its lead single Nikes, the album debuted at number one in several countries, including the United States. It earned first week sales of 275,000 with album-equivalent units in the US, with 232,000 being pure sales, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Among other publications, Time named it the best album of 2016. Metacritic named it one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the year by music publications. In 2020, Pitchfork named it the best album of the 2010s and Rolling Stone ranked it at number #79 on their updated list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
The songs on the album were collectively streamed more than 65.4 million times, second behind only the streams for Views by Drake during that week. Forbes estimated that Blonde earned Ocean nearly one million in profits after one week of availability, attributing this to him releasing the album independently and as a limited exclusive release on iTunes and Apple Music. Blonde has generated 404 million on-demand audio streams for its songs in the US through February 9, 2017, according to Nielsen Music. The album has earned 620,000 album-equivalent units, 348,000 of which were copies sold. On July 9, 2018, Blonde was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
– Frank Ocean, 2016
"Boys do cry, but I don't think I shed a tear for a good chunk of my teenage years. It's surprisingly my favorite part of life so far. Surprising, to me, because the current phase is what I was asking the cosmos for when I was a kid."
Blonde features an abstract and experimental sound in comparison to Ocean's previous releases, encompassing styles such as R&B, pop, soul, avant-garde, indie rock, electronica, psychedelia, and hip-hop. Ocean also notably makes use of pitch shifted vocals. The Beach Boys' de facto leader Brian Wilson is recognized as a strong influence on the album's lush arrangements and layered vocal harmonies, while the guitar and keyboard rhythms on the album are considered as languid and minimal. The album's themes surrounds Ocean dealing with his masculinity and emotions, inspired by sexual experiences, heartbreak, loss and trauma. The album also features guest vocals from André 3000, Beyoncé, and Kim Burrell, among others. Production was handled by Ocean himself, alongside a variety of high-profile record producers, including Malay and Om'Mas Keith, who collaborated with Ocean on Channel Orange, as well as James Blake, Jon Brion, Buddy Ross, Pharrell Williams, and Rostam Batmanglij, among others.
In 2013, Ocean confirmed that his follow up to Channel Orange would be another concept album. In April 2014, Ocean stated that his second album was nearly finished. In June 2014, Billboard reported that the singer was working with a string of artists such as Happy Perez (whom he worked with on nostalgia, ULTRA., Charlie Gambetta and Kevin Ristro, while producers Hit-Boy, Rodney Jerkins and Danger Mouse were also said to be on board. Initially known as Boys Don't Cry and teased for a July 2015 release, the album suffered several delays and was the subject of widespread media anticipation leading up to its release. Beginning in 2013 and ending in 2016, recording for the album took place at New York's Electric Lady Studios and, after a period of writer's block, in London at Abbey Road Studios and in Los Angeles' Henson Recording Studios. Its physical release was accompanied by a magazine entitled Boys Don't Cry.
Rather than going on a typical promotional tour playing radio festivals and appearing on television shows, Ocean spent a month after the release of Blonde, traveling to countries such as China, Japan and France. He also chose not to submit Blonde for consideration at the Grammy Awards, stating: "That institution certainly has nostalgic importance... It just doesn't seem to be representing very well for people who come from where I come from, and hold down what I hold down."
Blonde received widespread acclaim, with critics praising Ocean's introspective lyrics and the album's unconventional and progressive sounds. Critics also complimented the album for challenging the conventions of R&B and pop music. Supported by its lead single Nikes, the album debuted at number one in several countries, including the United States. It earned first week sales of 275,000 with album-equivalent units in the US, with 232,000 being pure sales, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Among other publications, Time named it the best album of 2016. Metacritic named it one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the year by music publications. In 2020, Pitchfork named it the best album of the 2010s and Rolling Stone ranked it at number #79 on their updated list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
The songs on the album were collectively streamed more than 65.4 million times, second behind only the streams for Views by Drake during that week. Forbes estimated that Blonde earned Ocean nearly one million in profits after one week of availability, attributing this to him releasing the album independently and as a limited exclusive release on iTunes and Apple Music. Blonde has generated 404 million on-demand audio streams for its songs in the US through February 9, 2017, according to Nielsen Music. The album has earned 620,000 album-equivalent units, 348,000 of which were copies sold. On July 9, 2018, Blonde was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
– Frank Ocean, 2016
"Boys do cry, but I don't think I shed a tear for a good chunk of my teenage years. It's surprisingly my favorite part of life so far. Surprising, to me, because the current phase is what I was asking the cosmos for when I was a kid."
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Blonde
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Be Yourself Many college students have gone to college And gotten hooked…
close to you I'll be honest, I wasn't devastated But you could've held my…
facebook story I was just telling that I got this girl before And…
Futura Free If I was being honest I'd say long as I could…
Godspeed I will always love you How I do Let go of a…
Good Guy It's a good guy, he hooked it up Said if I…
Ivy I thought that I was dreamin' when you said you…
Nights 'Round your city, 'round the clock Everybody needs you No, y…
Nikes These bitches want Nikes They looking for a check Tell 'em i…
Pink + White Yeah, yeah, um (woo) Yeah, yeah, yeah That's the way every …
pretty sweet Now To the edge I'll race To the end I'll make it All…
seigfried The markings on your surface Your speckled face Flawed cryst…
Self Control Poolside convo about your summer last night Ooh yeah, about …
Skyline To This is joy, this is summer Keep alive, stay alive Got your…
Solo Hand me a towel, I'm dirty dancing by myself Gone off…
White Ferrari Bad luck to talk on these rides Mine on the road,…
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Introductory line, no real meaning behind it.
Every day is unpredictable, and we have no control over it.
No matter how hard we try, the future is always uncertain and out of our control.
The environment is always changing, and we can only adapt to the changes.
No matter the circumstances, life will always be what it is.
Our experiences in life shape us and influence how we react to certain situations.
Stay alert, be aware of your surroundings, and face your adversity head-on.
Life can be slow and monotonous, but it's important to keep moving forward.
Sometimes we wish things were different, but we have to work with what we have.
Change is constant and inevitable, and we must adapt accordingly.
We are confined to our natural surroundings and must find ways to thrive within them.
I will be there for you and remain reliable through thick and thin.
Stay calm and composed when things are going well.
I will not abandon you when things fall apart.
I learned how to remain dependable and support others from your example.
My upbringing and past taught me how to love and connect with others.
There is a power or higher force that we cannot control but can find solace in.
I have respect and admiration for the person who has influenced me so deeply.
Things will become easier once we've overcome certain obstacles.
In the aftermath of a disaster or tragedy.
Referring to the black community and the beauty of darker skin tones.
Going underwater.
Represents makeshift arrangements that still offer a sense of stability.
Taking risks and enjoying life, despite the danger.
The inspiration and influence of those older and more experienced than us.
An allusion to reincarnation, a second chance starting over.
Coming back to the surface after experiencing hardship.
Showing gratitude for the world that has allowed us to survive and thrive.
Being thankful for everything that we have and acknowledging our place in the universe.
Our environment and experiences offer an opportunity to learn and grow in order to survive.
We must persevere even when things get tough.
Reflecting on our lives and past experiences.
Referring to the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood.
Giving a shout-out to friends or individuals who have impacted their life.
Acknowledging people they love or admire.
Showing appreciation for the promise of eternal life or a legacy that will live on after death.
Preparing to take action, possibly to run or escape.
Trying to escape the pain and hardship of life through various vices or addictions.
Engaging in reckless behavior or coping through unhealthy means.
Looking for comfort or pleasure in the face of adversity.
Jokingly considering the benefits of eternal life or a lasting legacy.
Accepting that life, with all its joys and hardships, is finite and will eventually end.