Frank’s version of “At Your Best (You Are Love)” is a cover of Aaliyah’s “At Your Best (You Are Love),” which is a cover of The Isley Brothers song “At Your Best (You Are Love).”
This breathy and toned down track is an continued meditation of struggles Frank outlined in his public letter. Frank seems to feel like he did with his first love. This time he seems to be able to examine his relationship in a deeper and more reciprocal way.
Frank said in the letter that he “struggled to master myself and my emotions” and this track indicates that he has since gained significant emotional progress. Instead of being unable to fully process his own feelings and connect with his lover, he can now ask instead what this person needs from him, while also retaining the “rush” of being in love.
At Your Best
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes it's hard to tell you so
You may not be in the mood to learn
What you think you know
There are times when I find
You wanna keep yourself from me
When I don't have the strength
I'm just a mirror of what I see
But at your best you are love
You're a positive motivating force within my life
If you ever feel the need to wonder why
Let me know, let me know
(Luhh)
When you feel what you feel
It's hard for me to understand
So many things have taken place before this love affair began
But if you feel more like I feel
Confusion can give way to doubt
For there are times when I fall short of what I say
What I say I'm all about
But at your best you are love
You're a positive motivating force within my life
Should you ever feel the need to wonder why
Let me know, let me know
(Luhh)
You niggas goin' in
Tell me what it is
(Fuck it)
What it is, no need to make believe
Look beyond your world, try to find, find a place for me
'Cause when you're at your best you are love
You're a positive motivating force within my life
Should you ever feel the need to wonder why
Let me know, let me know
Let me know, know
Stay at your best baby
Let me know, let me know
The lyrics to Frank Ocean's song At Your Best explore the complications and challenges of expressing one's emotions in a relationship. The singer acknowledges how difficult it can be to talk about what they're feeling to their partner, especially if they are not receptive or open to hearing it. However, the singer views their significant other as a source of positivity and inspiration in their life - someone who motivates and uplifts them.
The second verse acknowledges the difficulties that come with navigating a new relationship and the many uncertainties that may arise. The singer expresses a desire for their partner to understand their feelings but expresses doubt in their partner's ability to reciprocate. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the importance of the partner's love and positivity, regardless of any doubts or confusion that may surface.
Overall, the song's message is one of appreciation and admiration for a partner, even in the face of uncertainty and doubt. Its message of love and forgiveness is a comforting reminder that relationships are complex but that love and communication can overcome many obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
When I feel what I feel
When I experience emotions that overwhelm me
Sometimes it's hard to tell you so
Sometimes it's difficult for me to express those emotions to you
You may not be in the mood to learn
You may not be receptive or willing to understand what I'm feeling
What you think you know
Your preconceived notions and beliefs may affect your ability to truly understand my feelings
There are times when I find
There are occasions when I notice
You wanna keep yourself from me
You may distance yourself from me
When I don't have the strength
When I lack the emotional capacity
I'm just a mirror of what I see
My emotions reflect your behavior and the way you treat me
But at your best you are love
However, your true self is one of love and compassion
You're a positive motivating force within my life
You inspire and drive me to be my best self
If you ever feel the need to wonder why
If you ever question why I love you or need you in my life
Let me know, let me know
Please communicate with me and express your concerns
When you feel what you feel
When you experience emotions that overwhelm you
It's hard for me to understand
It becomes difficult for me to comprehend your feelings or perspective
So many things have taken place before this love affair began
Our past experiences and histories may influence our current relationship
But if you feel more like I feel
But if you can empathize with my own emotions
Confusion can give way to doubt
Uncertainty can turn into skepticism or mistrust
For there are times when I fall short of what I say
I may not always live up to the expectations I set or the promises I make
What I say I'm all about
What I claim to stand for or what I claim to be
You niggas goin' in
An interjection expressing disbelief or shock
Tell me what it is
Inform me of what is happening or what you want me to know
(Fuck it)
An exclamation indicating disregard or resignation
No need to make believe
There's no necessity to pretend or deceive
Look beyond your world, try to find, find a place for me
See beyond your own experiences and try to make room for me in your life
'Cause when you're at your best you are love
Because your true self embodies love and compassion
Should you ever feel the need to wonder why
If you ever question my feelings towards you or our relationship
Let me know, let me know
Communicate with me and express your doubts or concerns
Stay at your best baby
Stay true to who you are and the person I know and love
Let me know, let me know
Please keep me informed and communicate with me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CamaryDean
4:53
Verse 1]
When I feel what I feel
Sometimes it's hard to tell you so
You may not be in the mood to learn
What you think you know
There are times when I find
You wanna keep yourself from me
When I don't have the strength
I'm just a mirror of what I see
[Chorus]
But at your best, you are love
You're a positive motivating force within my life
If you ever feel the need to wonder why
Let me know, let me know
Love
[Verse 2]
When you feel what you feel
It's hard for me to understand
So many things have taken place before this love affair began
But if you feel more like I feel
Confusion can give way to doubt
For there are times when I fall short of what I say
What I say I'm all about, all about
[Chorus]
But at your best, you are love
You're a positive motivating force within my life
Should you ever feel the need to wonder why
Let me know, let me know
Love
[Bridge]
(Wait, waiting)
Let me know
You niggas goin' in
Tell me what it is (Fuck it)
What it is, no need to make believe
Look beyond your world
Try to find, find a place for me
[Chorus]
'Cause when you're at your best, you are love
You're a positive motivating force within my life
Should you ever feel the need to wonder why
Let me know, let me know
Let me know, know
Love
[Outro]
Stay at your best, baby
Let me know, let me know
via Genius
@jordanabby9018
There’s a point where a song is that good that it becomes an experience ♥️
@kevinrosa5422
real talk
@armaniorleans3299
it IS an experience.
@dlt2761
Wow - what a great perspective 👍
@7heSpire
Believe it or not, this relates to my love life 100% therefore i always have helped frank, drake, big sean, miguel, kendrick, wiz and many more. Im a music major and think of a lot of music therefore i share my shit with all these rappers since ive had one hell of a life
@alwavesbusy6102
And a song can become so great that it can become the soundtrack to even the smallest experience ... Love that! x
@thatscrazyyyyyy
i can proudly say i used this to dance with my wife at our wedding. it was magical.
damn did not expect to get 1k likes lol, but to give context on how me and my wife used this song, she created an imovie compiled of our baby pictures and old pictures of us thru out the years of our relationship in which i connected to 2 of the TVs that were at our wedding venue. the imovie lasted for about 4:30 minutes which is around the same time this song transitions and as the song transitions into that synth sound with the sound of a saw, that’s when we walked out from these two double doors to the middle of the venue and began slow dancing as soon as frank ocean starts singing. and like i said, it. was. MAGICAL.
@alexerazo7908
congratulations
@bigmoneylol1582
THAT WEDDING MUST HAVE BEEN AMAZING, CONGRATULATIONS YOU LEGEND ‼️‼️‼️
@bcwarts2956
Wow that’s beautiful