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.
Follow
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I crossed my heart and hope to die
I will never let them cry
I held you in my arms
Said I won't let go until
You feel youβre ready
'Til you feel youβre ready
Something bout you love me
Ooh baby say it to my face
I could have a place in your world
Kinda like your army, your air force
Your peace corps
So baby follow, follow, follow
Tell me where you want to go
Just keep your body close and don't let go
Follow, follow, follow
Baby let me be the guide
Just listen for the signs
And when I tell you right, left, switch it up
Imma take it slow, Imma take it slow, oh
Oh baby stop there, right there
Don't lose control, don't lose control, oh
Now baby look up at the star
If you wanna go, promise we can go, oh
You just gotta follow, follow, follow
You just gotta follow, follow, follow
Oh, baby if you like we can go to paradise
Be back by the next sunrise
And no, I won't stay in Rome
I never go faster the limit
Not unless you with it
And you told me on the phone
Said you wanna love me
Well baby tell me how it feels
Gotta have place in your world
Something like no other, your
Lover, your best friend, oh
So baby follow, follow, follow
Tell me where you want to go
Just keep your body close and don't let go
Follow, follow, follow
Baby let me be the guide
Just listen for the signs
And when I tell you right, left, switch it up
Imma take it slow, Imma take it slow, oh
Oh baby stop there, right there
Don't lose control, don't lose control, oh
Now baby look up at the star
If you wanna go, promise we can go, oh
You just gotta follow, follow, follow
You just gotta follow, follow, follow
Left, right, switch it up
Oh, we gotta pick it up now, slow it down
Hell yeah, switch it up
No we just can't let it fall down
Gotta keep it that, that, that, that
I can never quite get enough
Gotta keep your back arched up
Follow the leader, baby girl
It's going down, down, down down down down
Now move it right, left, switch it up
Imma take it slow, Imma take it slow, oh
Oh baby baby stop there, right there
Don't lose control, don't lose control, oh
Now baby look up at the star
If you wanna go, promise we can go, oh
You just gotta follow, follow, follow
You just gotta follow, follow, follow
The lyrics to Frank Ocean's song "Follow" depict a relationship where the singer is assuring their partner of their unwavering support and devotion. The chorus emphasizes the idea of guiding and leading their partner through life's uncertainties. The lines "Tell me where you want to go, just keep your body close and don't let go" highlight the singer's determination to be a source of stability and comfort for their loved one. They want their partner to trust them and believe that together they can overcome any obstacles.
The verse further explores the dynamics of the relationship. The lines "Said I won't let go until you feel you're ready" indicate the singer's willingness to wait until their partner is emotionally prepared for whatever lies ahead. They want to be involved in their partner's life, being referred to as their army, air force, and peace corps, suggesting a deep level of commitment and support.
Line by Line Meaning
I looked you in the eyes
I made a sincere connection with you by maintaining eye contact
I crossed my heart and hope to die
I promised with utmost sincerity and commitment
I will never let them cry
I will protect and ensure your happiness at all costs
I held you in my arms
I embraced you closely and provided comfort
Said I won't let go until
I reassured you that I will not leave your side until
You feel youβre ready
You feel emotionally prepared and comfortable
'Til you feel youβre ready
Until you personally feel ready
Told me on the phone
You expressed your thoughts and feelings to me during a phone conversation
Something bout you love me
You mentioned something about your deep affection for me
Ooh baby say it to my face
Express your love and emotions to me directly
I could have a place in your world
I desire to have a significant role in your life
Kinda like your army, your air force
Similar to being your protector and support system
Your peace corps
Or someone who brings you peace and serenity
So baby follow, follow, follow
Please trust and adhere to my guidance and directions
Tell me where you want to go
Let me know your desired destination
Just keep your body close and don't let go
Stay physically connected with me and don't separate
Baby let me be the guide
Allow me to lead and navigate our journey
Just listen for the signs
Pay attention to the indications and cues I provide
And when I tell you right, left, switch it up
When I instruct you to change directions or alter your approach
Imma take it slow, Imma take it slow, oh
I will proceed at a leisurely and measured pace
Oh baby stop there, right there
Pause and remain at that specific point
Don't lose control, don't lose control, oh
Maintain composure and don't let things spiral out of hand
Now baby look up at the star
Direct your gaze towards the stars above
If you wanna go, promise we can go, oh
If you desire to pursue a certain path, I assure you we can
You just gotta follow, follow, follow
Simply follow my lead and guidance
Oh, baby if you like we can go to paradise
If you're interested, we can embark on an idyllic journey
Be back by the next sunrise
Returning before the sun rises again
And no, I won't stay in Rome
I have no intentions of staying in one place for too long
I never go faster the limit
I always adhere to the speed limit and avoid recklessness
Not unless you with it
Unless you're also willing and comfortable with it
Said you wanna love me
You expressed your desire to love and be in a relationship with me
Well baby tell me how it feels
Describe to me the emotions and sensations it evokes in you
Gotta have place in your world
I aim to occupy a significant role in your life and heart
Something like no other, your
Something unique and unlike any other
Lover, your best friend, oh
Being both your romantic partner and closest companion
Left, right, switch it up
Changing direction and approach by alternating between left and right
Oh, we gotta pick it up now, slow it down
We need to increase the pace at this moment, then later decelerate
Hell yeah, switch it up
Absolutely, let's change it up
No we just can't let it fall down
We must prevent it from collapsing or failing
Gotta keep it that, that, that, that
We need to maintain the current state or situation
I can never quite get enough
I'm always yearning for more, never fully satisfied
Gotta keep your back arched up
You must maintain a confident and resilient posture
Follow the leader, baby girl
As the leader, I urge you to follow my lead, my dear
It's going down, down, down down down down
Things are moving in a downward trajectory or descending rapidly
Now move it right, left, switch it up
Now change your movements by alternating between right and left
Imma take it slow, Imma take it slow, oh
I will proceed at a leisurely and measured pace
Oh baby baby stop there, right there
Pause and remain at that specific point
Don't lose control, don't lose control, oh
Maintain composure and don't let things spiral out of hand
Now baby look up at the star
Direct your gaze towards the stars above
If you wanna go, promise we can go, oh
If you desire to pursue a certain path, I assure you we can
You just gotta follow, follow, follow
Simply follow my lead and guidance
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pluggg____22
wishing the day of frank's comeback
@myxr9532
Best summer song I swear
@raspberrygirl379
franks old music is so goodππΌ deserves more attention fr
@irvgeezy
One of the best songs he made not on an album...this is fire.
@gabepeters527
All of these are hits even back then
@rtg2289
I still play this in 2022
@michalmiashainfeld5881
So am I and itβs almost 2023
@zachariahpeter4230
@@michalmiashainfeld5881 yea. Me too itβs just a timeless classic
@gilafonso1675
January 2023
@ajitbhatta6090
Jan 15 2023