Ocean also premiered a second version of the track during the show featuring his first collaboration with rapper Travis Scott. This continues the “I got twoooooo versions” narrative sparked by a 2015 Tumblr post, one appearing many times since the release of his 2016 album Blonde.
Lens
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then hit you with the, "You know it's mid, right?"
Can't be on time for the free rides
Can't be my type, I'm a low life
Crammed in some time, now I'm your whole life
Can't make those calls in the low light
Are you ready to go? We gon' be waitin' in line
Yeah, you look good, would I fuck? Yeah
Back home with that, almost
Back home with that, next time
Bags with all that Rally's in 'em
Trades with all the valley
Top chopped down like blades came through the valley
Freeway
Despite our history
Somewhere in your nights you're stuck when you think of me
Despite the life I lead
All this life in me
Spirits watch me, pants down
Can't be 'barrassed of it
I feel their smiles on me (smiles on me)
I feel their smiles on me (smile on me)
I feel their smiles on me (lens on me right now)
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Throw team on back like I tatted the Mariah (Know I got some sins on me)
Then get the scream mask for the vert rides (ridin')
Weed smoke in the sky, picture what I'm realizin' (got some sins on me)
Ain't seen rainbows in the sky since college
This thing won't last unless we're both lyin' (both lyin')
Fake flowers, no water needed
Real life drowned by the weekend
No "whens", call it timeless
No ends 'cause you're timeless
Despite our history, yeah
Somewhere in your nights you're stuck when you think of me
Despite the life I lead
All this life in me (all this life)
Spirits watch me, pants down
Can't be 'barrassed of it
I feel their smiles on me (on me, on me, on me)
I feel their smiles on me
I feel their smiles on me
Lionel got a lens, Janet got a lens
Matthew got a lens on me right now, yeah
Cleve got a lens, Kevin got a lens
Know I got some sins on me right now
On me
On me, on me
On me, on me
On me, on me
On me, on me
On me, on me
The lyrics to Frank Ocean's song Lens seem to be about a romantic relationship and the complications that come with it. The first verse hints at potential commitment issues, as the female character in question is portrayed as being unable to make it on time for anything, or be the singer's "type". Despite this, she seems to have squeezed in some time for him, and he insinuates that they have had some kind of physical relationship, but it didn't quite go all the way. The verse ends with the singer saying "next time", suggesting that he is open to giving the relationship another shot.
The second verse seems to focus more on the singer himself, acknowledging that he has "sins" on him, and that despite his past mistakes or regrets, there are still people who care for him in some form or another. He makes references to various people who have lenses on him (possibly implying scrutiny or judgement), and remarks that he "can't be 'barrassed of it", indicating he is unashamed of who he is and what he has done.
Overall, the song's message seems to revolve around the idea that past and present relationships (romantic or otherwise) can have a lingering impact on one's life, but also that it's possible to move past them if one is willing to acknowledge their flaws and keep pushing forward. The repetition of the line "I feel their smiles on me" seems to emphasize this idea, suggesting that despite the ups and downs, there are people who support the singer and have faith in him.
Line by Line Meaning
My girl made him wait 'til the hours of the night
My girlfriend made him wait until late at night
Then hit you with the, "You know it's mid, right?"
Then she told him it was already halfway through the night
Can't be on time for the free rides
He can't even be on time for free things
Can't be my type, I'm a low life
He can't be his girlfriend's type because he considers himself a loser
Crammed in some time, now I'm your whole life
He made time for her and now she is his whole life
Can't make those calls in the low light
He can't make phone calls in low light conditions
Are you ready to go? We gon' be waitin' in line
He asks if she is ready to leave because they will have to wait in line
Yeah, you look good, would I fuck? Yeah
He thinks she looks good and would have sex with her
Did I? Almost
He almost had sex with her
Back home with that, almost
He came home without actually having had sex with her
Back home with that, next time
He hopes to have sex with her next time
Bags with all that Rally's in 'em
He has bags containing food from Rally's fast food restaurant
Trades with all the valley
He traded something with someone from the valley
Top chopped down like blades came through the valley
His car's roof is lowered like it was cut by blades from the valley
Freeway
He is on the freeway
Despite our history
Despite their past relationship
Somewhere in your nights you're stuck when you think of me
She is still thinking about him late at night
Despite the life I lead
Despite his lifestyle
All this life in me
He feels alive
Spirits watch me, pants down
He feels like spirits are watching him with his guard down
Can't be 'barrassed of it
He is not embarrassed of it
I feel their smiles on me (smiles on me)
He feels like the spirits are smiling upon him
I feel their smiles on me (smile on me)
He repeats the feeling of spirits smiling upon him
I feel their smiles on me (lens on me right now)
He feels like the spirits are currently watching him
Throw team on back like I tatted the Mariah (Know I got some sins on me)
He carries his team like he has them tattooed on his back, while also acknowledging he has some faults
Then get the scream mask for the vert rides (ridin')
He gets a scream mask to wear while riding vertical rides
Weed smoke in the sky, picture what I'm realizin' (got some sins on me)
He is high and realizing something, while once again acknowledging his faults
Ain't seen rainbows in the sky since college
He hasn't seen rainbows in the sky since college days
This thing won't last unless we're both lyin' (both lyin')
Their relationship won't last unless both parties are lying
Fake flowers, no water needed
The flowers are not real and do not need any water
Real life drowned by the weekend
Real life is overtaken by partying during the weekend
No "whens", call it timeless
There is no need to worry about timing, it is timeless
No ends 'cause you're timeless
There are no limits because she is timeless
Lionel got a lens, Janet got a lens
Lionel and Janet have cameras to take pictures
Matthew got a lens on me right now, yeah
Matthew is currently taking a picture of him
Cleve got a lens, Kevin got a lens
Cleve and Kevin also have cameras
Know I got some sins on me right now
He knows he has some faults currently
On me
Repeated for emphasis
On me, on me
Repeated for emphasis
On me, on me
Repeated for emphasis
On me, on me
Repeated for emphasis
On me, on me
Repeated for emphasis
Lyrics © Global Talent Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Spirit Music Group
Written by: Adam Feeny, Christopher Breaux, Jacob Ludvig Olofsson, Rami Dawod
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@layalnysanchez2351
[Verse 1]
My girl made him wait ’til the hours of the night
Then hit you with the, “You know it’s mid, right?”
Can’t be on time for the free rides
Can’t be my type, I’m a low life
Crammed in some time, now I’m your whole life
Can’t make those calls in the low light
Are you ready to go? We gon’ be waitin’ in line
Yeah, you look good, would I fuck? Yeah
Did I? Almost
Back home with that, almost
Back home with that, next time
Bags with all that Rally’s in ’em
Trades with all the valley
Top chopped down like blades came through the valley
Freeway
[Chorus]
Despite our history
Somewhere in your nights you’re stuck when you think of me
Despite the life I lead
All this life in me
Spirits watch me, pants down
Can’t be ‘barrassed of it
I feel their smiles on me (smiles on me)
I feel their smiles on me (smile on me)
I feel their smiles on me (lens on me right now)
Oh yeah, oh yeah
[Verse 2]
Throw team on back like I tatted the Mariah (Know I got some sins on me)
Then get the scream mask for the vert rides (ridin’)
Weed smoke in the sky, picture what I’m realizin’ (got some sins on me)
Ain’t seen rainbows in the sky since college
This thing won’t last unless we’re both lyin’ (both lyin’)
Fake flowers, no water needed
Real life drowned by the weekend
No wins, call it timeless
No ends ’cause you’re timeless
[Chorus]
Despite our history, yeah
Somewhere in your nights you’re stuck when you think of me
Despite the life I lead
All this life in me (all this life)
Spirits watch me, pants down
Can’t be ‘barrassed of it
I feel their smiles on me (on me, on me, on me)
I feel their smiles on me
I feel their smiles on me
[Outro]
Lionel got a lens, Janet got a lens
Matthew got a lens on me right now, yeah
Cleve got a lens, Kevin got a lens
Know I got some sins on me right now
On me
On me, on me
On me, on me
On me, on me
On me, on me
On me, on me
@dayannamoreno.
FULL LYRICS! 💙
My girl made him wait 'til the hours of the night
Then hit you with the, "You know it's mid, right?"
Can't be on time for the free rides
Can't be my type, I'm a low life
Crammed in some time, now I'm your whole life
Can't make those calls in the low light
Are you ready to go? We gon' be waitin' in line
Yeah, you look good, would I fuck? Yeah
Did I? Almost
Back home with that, almost
Back home with that, next time
Bags with all that Rally's in 'em
Trades with all the valley
Top chopped down like blades came through the valley
Freeway
Despite our history
Somewhere in your nights you're stuck when you think of me
Despite the life I lead
All this life in me
Spirits watch me, pants down
Can't be 'barrassed of it
I feel their smiles on me (smiles on me)
I feel their smiles on me (smile on me)
I feel their smiles on me (lens on me right now)
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Throw team on back like I tatted the Mariah (Know I got some sins on me)
Then get the scream mask for the vert rides (ridin')
Weed smoke in the sky, picture what I'm realizin' (got some sins on me)
Ain't seen rainbows in the sky since college
This thing won't last unless we're both lyin' (both lyin')
Fake flowers, no water needed
Real life drowned by the weekend
No "whens", call it timeless
No ends 'cause you're timeless
Despite our history, yeah
Somewhere in your nights you're stuck when you think of me
Despite the life I lead
All this life in me (all this life)
Spirits watch me, pants down
Can't be 'barrassed of it
I feel their smiles on me (on me, on me, on me)
I feel their smiles on me
I feel their smiles on me
Lionel got a lens, Janet got a lens
Matthew got a lens on me right now, yeah
Cleve got a lens, Kevin got a lens
Know I got some sins on me right now
On me
On me, on me
On me, on me
On me, on me
On me, on me
On me, on me
@ertinpasai5381
[Verse 1]
My girl made him wait 'til the hours of the night
Then hit you with the, "You know it's mid, right?"
Can't be on time for the free rides
Can't be my type, I'm a low life
Crammed in some time, now I'm your whole life
Can't make those calls in the low light
Are you ready to go? We gon' be waitin' in line
Yeah, you look good, would I fuck? Yeah
Did I? Almost
Back home with that, almost
Back home with that, next time
Bags with all that Rally's in 'em
Trades with all the valley
Top chopped down like blades came through the valley
Freeway
[Chorus]
Despite our history
Somewhere in your nights you're stuck when you think of me
Despite the life I lead
All this life in me
Spirits watch me, pants down
Can't be 'barrassed of it
I feel their smiles on me (smiles on me)
I feel their smiles on me (smile on me)
I feel their smiles on me (lens on me right now)
Oh yeah, oh yeah
[Verse 2]
Throw team on back like I tatted the Mariah (Know I got some sins on me)
Then get the scream mask for the vert rides (ridin')
Weed smoke in the sky, picture what I'm realizin' (got some sins on me)
Ain't seen rainbows in the sky since college
This thing won't last unless we're both lyin' (both lyin')
Fake flowers, no water needed
Real life drowned by the weekend
No "whens", call it timeless
No ends 'cause you're timeless
[Chorus]
Despite our history, yeah
Somewhere in your nights you're stuck when you think of me
Despite the life I lead
All this life in me (all this life)
Spirits watch me, pants down
Can't be 'barrassed of it
I feel their smiles on me (on me, on me, on me)
I feel their smiles on me
I feel their smiles on me
[Outro]
Lionel got a lens, Janet got a lens
Matthew got a lens on me right now, yeah
Cleve got a lens, Kevin got a lens
Know I got some sins on me right now
On me
On me, on me
On me, on me
On me, on me
On me, on me
On me, on me
@mperkins222
My girl made him wait 'til the hours of the night
Then hit you with the, "You know it's mid, right?"
Can't be on time for the free rides
Can't be my type, I'm a low life
Crammed in some time, now I'm your whole life
Can't make those calls in the low light
Are you ready to go? We gon' be waitin' in line
Yeah, you look good, would I fuck? Yeah
Did I? Almost
Back home with that, almost
Back home with that, next time
Bags with all that Rally's in 'em
Trades with all the valley
Top chopped down like blades came through the valley
Freeway
Despite our history
Somewhere in your nights you're stuck when you think of me
Despite the life I lead
All this life in me
Spirits watch me, pants down
Can't be 'barrassed of it
I feel their smiles on me (smiles on me)
I feel their smiles on me (smile on me)
I feel their smiles on me (lens on me right now)
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Throw team on back like I tatted the Mariah (Know I got some sins on me)
Then get the scream mask for the vert rides (ridin')
Weed smoke in the sky, picture what I'm realizin' (got some sins on me)
Ain't seen rainbows in the sky since college
This thing won't last unless we're both lyin' (both lyin')
Fake flowers, no water needed
Real life drowned by the weekend
No "whens", call it timeless
No ends 'cause you're timeless
Despite our history, yeah
Somewhere in your nights you're stuck when you think of me
Despite the life I lead
All this life in me (all this life)
Spirits watch me, pants down
Can't be 'barrassed of it
I feel their smiles on me (on me, on me, on me)
I feel their smiles on me
I feel their smiles on me
Lionel got a lens, Janet got a lens
Matthew got a lens on me right now, yeah
Cleve got a lens, Kevin got a lens
Know I got some sins on me right now
On me
On me, on me
On me, on me
On me, on me
On me, on me
@prestonetheredge9107
Lyrics:
My girl made him wait 'til the hours of the night
Then hit you with the, "You know it's mid, right?"
Can't be on time for the free rides
Can't be my type, I'm a low life
Crammed in some time, now I'm your whole life
Can't make those calls in the low light
Are you ready to go? We gon' be waitin' in line
Yeah, you look good, would I fuck? Yeah
Did I? Almost
Back home with that, almost
Back home with that, next time
Bags with all that Rally's in 'em
Trades with all the valley
Top chopped down like blades came through the valley
Freeway
Despite our history
Somewhere in your nights you're stuck when you think of me
Despite the life I lead
All this life in me
Spirits watch me, pants down
Can't be 'barrassed of it
I feel their smiles on me (smiles on me)
I feel their smiles on me (smile on me)
I feel their smiles on me (lens on me right now)
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Throw team on back like I tatted the Mariah (Know I got some sins on me)
Then get the scream mask for the vert rides (ridin')
Weed smoke in the sky, picture what I'm realizin' (got some sins on me)
Ain't seen rainbows in the sky since college
This thing won't last unless we're both lyin' (both lyin')
Fake flowers, no water needed
Real life drowned by the weekend
No "whens", call it timeless
No ends 'cause you're timeless
Despite our history, yeah
Somewhere in your nights you're stuck when you think of me
Despite the life I lead
All this life in me (all this life)
Spirits watch me, pants down
Can't be 'barrassed of it
I feel their smiles on me (on me, on me, on me)
I feel their smiles on me
I feel their smiles on me
Lionel got a lens, Janet got a lens
Matthew got a lens on me right now, yeah
Cleve got a lens, Kevin got a lens
Know I got some sins on me right now
On me
On me, on me
On me, on me
On me, on me
On me, on me
On me, on me
@crunchymilk3370
I can't wait to raise my kids on frank
@blkdopesolonyc6583
We can have Ocean-picnics. My baby LOVES Frank and my mom.
Shyt....where u located?? We need Frank support groups in EVERY state lol.
@chriscf_
your kids will be depressed af lmao
@blkdopesolonyc6583
@Christian Cintra Well I'm sure you can recommend whatever meds you're taking. 💩✌🏾
@chriscf_
haha
@abhitegjammu273
lmao i am 19 and i already feel like making babies for the same reason as yours
@TheKillingNacho
People dislike this song because of the autotune but Frank doesn't over use it, we all know he can hit those notes in his sleep. Hes just creeping into our ears a little bit deeper with each note
@naimmastay4194
well said bruh
@ebonyh9566
It’s not the autotune, I’m just not feeling this song. It’ll probably grow on me like DHL did
@xsyzz
ppl mostly stop the song to quickly.. its getting so good