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, “It’s Smooth Ass Music About Bitches, Relationships And Being A Rich Young Nigga…But In A Swagged Out Way.”
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.
Heartbreak + Jet Lag
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blue, heyeyeye, heyeyeyeyeye
Blue, oh oh oh, heyeye, heyeyeye
Never seen a cloud
Upclose baby
Never left the ground
Before baby
Never been in love
But if I'd never met yo ass
I would never known how it feels to crash
We didn't land smooth, damn
It's heartbreak plus the jetlag
Ohh ohh oh
Heartbreak plus jetlag
Ohh ohh oh
Heartbreak plus jetlag
Ohh ohh oh ahh
Ohh ohh oh ahh
Ohh ahh ha ohh
Ohh ohh oh ahh ahh
Just stay alone
This heart lonely
I could turn the long way you know
I watched everbody else get on
But deep down I'm scared to fly back home
Cause last time it went up and went down, down, down...
In flames
But if I'd never met yo ass
I would never known how it feels to crash
We didn't land smooth, damn
It's heartbreak plus the jetlag
Ohh ohh oh
Heartbreak plus jetlag
Ohh ohh oh
Heartbreak plus jetlag
Ohh
Frank Ocean's song "Heartbreak + Jet Lag" is an introspective contemplation of the emotional struggles of a relationship. The blue theme throughout the first stanza of the song is used to paint the mental and emotional state of the singer. The blue color represents a feeling of sadness and melancholy. The chorus is where the song gets its title from, with the theme being heartbreak plus jet lag, a metaphorical representation of both the physical and emotional strain of the turbulence in the relationship. The lyrics "never seen a cloud up close baby, never left the ground before baby" suggests that the singer is experiencing new feelings and sensations because of the relationship, which they have never before felt.
The second verse is a self-reflection of the singer, who is afraid of flying back home because of their previous experience with the relationship. The singer feels alone and scared to return because of the past emotional fallout. The repeated phrase "ohh ohh oh ahh" represents a longing and a desire to overcome this emotional struggle. Ultimately, the singer acknowledges that if it wasn't for the relationship, they would have never known how it feels to crash.
Line by Line Meaning
Blue, heyeye, heyeyeye
Frank is feeling blue and sad.
Blue, heyeyeye, heyeyeyeyeye
His sadness is overwhelming and persistent.
Blue, oh oh oh, heyeye, heyeyeye
Frank is expressing his pain through his lyrics.
Never seen a cloud
Frank may not have travelled much and is not familiar with clouds.
Upclose baby
He has never been so close to a cloud.
Never left the ground
Frank has never been on a super long flight before.
Before baby
This flight experience is new to him.
Never fucked a hundred miles up
Frank has never been so high up in the air.
Never been in love
Frank has not experienced love before.
But if I'd never met yo ass
Frank is implying that he met someone special.
I would never known how it feels to crash
Meeting this person made him feel alive, but also vulnerable.
We didn't land smooth, damn
The relationship was not without its complications.
It's heartbreak plus the jetlag
Frank is experiencing both emotional pain and tiredness from travelling.
Ohh ohh oh Heartbreak plus jetlag
He repeats this to emphasize his point.
Just stay alone
Frank is feeling lonely.
This heart lonely
His loneliness is affecting him deeply.
I could turn the long way you know
Frank has options, but is hesitant about taking any risks.
I watched everbody else get on
He is watching others move forward in their lives.
But deep down I'm scared to fly back home
Frank may be afraid of facing his problems and returning to his old life.
Cause last time it went up and went down, down, down...
He has experienced disappointment and heartbreak before.
In flames
His past experiences were painful.
Ohh ohh oh ahh
This is a vocalization of Frank's emotions.
Ohh ahh ha ohh
He is still feeling the effects of his past hurts.
Ohh ohh oh ahh ahh
Frank is expressing his pain through his lyrics.
Contributed by Gabriella V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Codebluesituation
I've been with Frank Ocean since 2008. True fan! Ofwgkta!
@emilyfaria4696
hey lol its 2021
@gero3015
You must be old as shit now my guy
@EseGueyQue
OFWGKTADGAF
@rougeandrei9095
My fellow Odd Future OGs
@yvngsn0w
@@gero3015 lmao
@digiboom1981
It's like 3 hooks in this song.. King of melodies
@banjogyro
I fully agree, melodies are his biggest skill.
@Matthew.D.Evangelista
Who in 2024 is still listening? 🙋🏽♂️
@SeniorDior
Me rn 😂