Venting about his decision to drop the record his own way, he took to Twitter on March 1, 2011:
"i. did. this. not ISLAND DEF JAM. that's why you see no label logo on the artwork that I DID. guess its my fault for trusting my dumbass lawyer and signing my career over to a failing company. fuck Def Jam & any company that goes the length of signing a kid with dreams & talent w/ no intention of following through. fuck em. now back to my day. i want some oatmeal and toast. brunch swag."
As a member of the Odd Future (OFWGKTA) collective, his sound is distinctively soulful/r&b influenced, yet done in a way that could pass for something totally different. As Tyler, the Creator states, βItβs Smooth Ass Music About Bitches, Relationships And Being A Rich Young Niggaβ¦But In A Swagged Out Way.β
Ocean was evacuated from the University of New Orleans to Los Angeles, California just as Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005, and stayed in Los Angeles to pursue a music career. Ocean joined Los Angeles based collective OFWGKTA, who he met through mutual friends, at the end of 2009. In the end of 2009, he met Tricky Stewart, who helped Ocean sign a contract with Def Jam Recordings as an artist, however, he was initially unable to build a relationship with the company. In 2010, he changed his name from Christopher "Lonny" Breaux to Christopher Francis Ocean via a legal website. In an April 2011 interview, Ocean intimated that his relationship with Def Jam has strengthened since the release of his mixtape. On April 28, 2011, Ocean was arrested on unspecified charges by the LAPD, and was released on the morning after on April 29, 2011. Ocean joined his OFWGKTA bandmates for the first time on tour from May 12 to May 19, 2011. On May 31, 2011, Def Jam released the single Novacane on iTunes soon followed by Swim Good Taken from his mixtape Nostalgia, ULTRA. His first 'proper' album, Channel Orange was released on July 17, 2012.
In 2016, He released the visual album Endless alongside his second studio album Blonde, following several years of delays. Blonde debuted at number one in the United States and United Kingdom.
In 2017, Ocean released several singles, including Chanel and Lens, through his Blonded Radio show, and made several appearances on other songs by artists like Calvin Harris, A$AP Mob, and Tyler, the Creator.
Back
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh I know the love glows
I know the love glows yeah
If we colored our white walls pitch black
Turn all the lights off and lay back
We can make love with our bare hands
We can make light out of thin air
Dreams feel realer than right now
But whatever you do donβt let go
My only nightmare is waking up alone
In a world where youβre not mine
And the room painted off white
Running out in the daylight
Tryna get back to you
When I stare into your eyes
I see my real life
Thatβs why I never sleep with my back to you
When I lay down, facing you
I can feel my eyelids glow
(I never sleep with my back to you)
And if the sun rises (back to you) behind you
I donβt think Iβd notice though
I never sleep with my back to you
Back to you i never sleep with my back
To you, back to you, back to you
Laying under the covers that I stole
From your side of the bed cause I got cold
You rolled over and whispered ro-robbery
So you been sleeping with a thief in your bed
Stole your heart and your pillows
Whatever you do just donβt go
Baby, the worst jail is
Waking up alone in a world
Where youβre not mine
In a room painted off white
Running out in the daylight
Tryna get back to you
When Iβm looking in you eyes
I see my real life
So I never sleep with my back to you
When I lay down, facing you
I can feel my eyelids glow
(I never sleep with my back to you)
And if the sun rises (back to you) behind you
I donβt think Iβd notice though
I never sleep with my back to you
Back to you i never sleep with my back
To you, back to you, back to you
Like a nightlight like a teddy bear
Like a toddlerβs blanket look at us baby
Two grownups acting like children
O-o-o-oooo, yeah
When I lay down, facing you
I can feel my eyelids glow
(I never sleep with my back to you)
And if the sun rises (back to you) behind you
I donβt think Iβd notice though
I never sleep with my back to you
Back to you i never sleep with my back
To you, back to you, back to you
When I lay down, facing you
I can feel my eyelids glow
(I never sleep with my back to you)
And if the sun rises (back to you) behind you
I donβt think Iβd notice though
I never sleep with my back to you
Back to you i never sleep with my back
To you, back to you, back to you
In Frank Ocean's song "Back," the lyrics speak to the deep connection and love he feels for someone. The repeated lines "I know the love glows" emphasize the intensity and warmth of their love. The lyrics describe a desire to be close and intimate with the person, both physically and emotionally.
The imagery in the lines "If we colored our white walls pitch black/Turn all the lights off and lay back" paints a picture of a private and intimate moment between two individuals. It suggests that they can create their own world where they are completely focused on each other. The lyrics also mention the power of dreams, with the line "Dreams feel realer than right now," suggesting that the love they share feels almost transcendent and surreal.
The chorus of the song expresses the fear of being separated from this person. The line "My only nightmare is waking up alone" conveys the deep fear of losing them. The room painted off white represents a world without the person, symbolizing a lack of vibrancy and happiness. The desire to get back to the person and the mention of never sleeping with their back to them indicate a need for constant closeness and reassurance in the relationship.
Overall, the lyrics in "Back" convey a deep and intense love, as well as the fear of losing it. The song explores the importance of intimacy, connection, and never taking love for granted.
Line by Line Meaning
The love glows, I know the love glows
The love between us remains strong and vibrant, I am aware of its radiant presence
If we colored our white walls pitch black
If we embraced the darkness and uncertainty in our lives
Turn all the lights off and lay back
Letting go of external distractions, surrendering to the intimacy and vulnerability of the moment
We can make love with our bare hands
We can create a deep connection and passion without any physical objects or barriers
We can make light out of thin air
We have the ability to find happiness and joy even in the most difficult or challenging situations
Or we can close our eyes and sleep well
Alternatively, we can find peace and contentment by letting go and embracing the tranquility of sleep
Dreams feel realer than right now
Sometimes our dreams and fantasies can feel more vivid and meaningful than our current reality
But whatever you do donβt let go
Regardless of the circumstances, please don't release your hold on our relationship
My only nightmare is waking up alone
My greatest fear is the thought of starting a new day without you by my side
In a world where youβre not mine
Imagining a reality where we are not together, which feels incredibly lonely and empty
And the room painted off white
Being in a space that lacks color and vibrancy, symbolizing the absence of our love
Running out in the daylight
Desperately trying to find my way back to you, searching for your presence and love
Tryna get back to you
Putting in all the effort and determination to reunite and reconnect with you
When I stare into your eyes
When I gaze deeply into your eyes, I see my true purpose and fulfillment in life
I see my real life
Your presence and love bring meaning and authenticity to my existence
Thatβs why I never sleep with my back to you
I always make sure to sleep facing you, symbolizing my constant commitment and dedication to our relationship
Laying under the covers that I stole
Being wrapped in the warmth and comfort of the bed sheets I took from your side of the bed
From your side of the bed cause I got cold
Taking your belongings to ease my physical discomfort, showcasing my reliance on your presence
You rolled over and whispered ro-robbery
You playfully acknowledge my act of taking your things, emphasizing the intimacy and familiarity between us
So you been sleeping with a thief in your bed
You have accepted and embraced my presence, even though I have taken something precious from you
Stole your heart and your pillows
Metaphorically speaking, I have captured both your love and the physical comfort you desire
Whatever you do just donβt go
Please, whatever happens, don't leave me or abandon our relationship
Baby, the worst jail is waking up alone
Feeling trapped and imprisoned in a life without you, experiencing a deep sense of emptiness and despair
Like a nightlight like a teddy bear
Symbolizing the warmth, comfort, and sense of security we bring to each other's lives
Like a toddlerβs blanket look at us baby
Comparing our relationship to the innocent and pure bond shared between children, highlighting its simplicity and genuineness
Two grownups acting like children
Despite being adults, we find joy and happiness in behaving playfully and carefree with each other
When I lay down, facing you
When I position myself in bed, intentionally facing you to maintain closeness and intimacy
I can feel my eyelids glow
Sensing a warm and comforting sensation, as if my very being is illuminated by the love and connection we share
And if the sun rises behind you
Even if the world around us changes or becomes challenging, as long as I have you by my side, I remain unaware and unaffected
I donβt think Iβd notice though
My focus and attention are fully directed towards you, making everything else seem inconsequential and insignificant
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jailauren3028
Most underrated song i literally be listening to this song for YEARS!!!!!
@gbreezy6393
Facts been bumping this since I was like 13 lol Iβm 21 now π
@zayzero_
Facts
@jadahayes5935
I used to listen to this song in the morning getting ready for schoolπ₯Ί everything was so easy then
@LovetheLuvRecords
Saaaame. π₯Ίπ
@Youtubemusings
Same wow
@yha-yha2565
SAME, 2012 was great.
@daveeaster1061
Damn same
@dimitricraft437
Yo 2011 was an epic year for music. I almost dropped my own music after I heard this. π I miss the times when I first heard his music. It takes me back to a crazy time growing up where everyone I knew listened to him on some torrent site. π
@THEEVIBRANTONE
that moment you randomly remember a song hunt it down then remember how much you loved it.... this song is that for me.