The song is a cover of the 1961 ballad “Moon River” written by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini and performed by Audrey Hepburn for her starring role in the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s:
An everlasting search or quest for love appears as a persisting motif throughout the track. Frank details the chaotic adventure frequently associated
with “chasing after our rainbow’s end” – seemingly love in this case.
Prior to “Moon River”, Ocean has not shied away from examining the effect that searching for love has on one’s life. Examples such as “good guy” and “Close To You” may draw similar messages.
Moon River
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style someday (someday, day)
A dream maker (maker)
My heart (you heart) breaker
Wherever you're goin'
I'm goin' that way (the same, the same)
Two drifters off to see the world
There's such a crazy world to see
We're all chasin' after all the same
Chasing after our ends
Moon river, wider than a mile
Crossin' in style someday
My dream maker, heartbreaker
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' the same
Two drifters off to see the world
It's such a crazy world you'll see (what I see, who I become)
(What I see, who I become)
We're all chasin' after our ends
Chasin' after our ends
Life's just around the bend, my friend
Moon river and me
"Moon River" is a nostalgic and melancholic ballad written by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini for the 1961 movie Breakfast at Tiffany's, where it was famously performed by Audrey Hepburn. In Frank Ocean's version of the song, he puts a contemporary spin on this classic tune while still evoking its longing and wistfulness. The lyrics explore the themes of wanderlust, love, and the pursuit of one's dreams.
The song begins with the iconic opening lines "Moon river, wider than a mile, I'm crossing you in style someday." The moon river represents a metaphorical journey towards a better life, a path that the singer longs to take, elegantly and confidently, in style. The next lines, "A dream maker, my heartbreaker," are somewhat ambiguous, but they could refer to the moon's power to create dreams and inspire romantic illusions while also breaking hearts, possibly of those who endeavor to follow the moon's call.
The second verse introduces the idea of two drifters who set out to explore the world, but in the end, realize that everyone is chasing their own versions of happiness and fulfillment. The lyrics suggest that life is full of surprises and unexpected turns, but the singer seems to find comfort in knowing that he is not alone on this journey. The idea of "chasing after our rainbow's end" implies that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to finding happiness, and that it can take many forms and paths.
In summary, Frank Ocean's rendition of "Moon River" is a wistful and moving tribute to the original song's dream-like atmosphere and message. The lyrics speak to human aspirations, emotions, and struggles and remind us that everyone is searching for their own moon river.
Line by Line Meaning
Moon river wider than a mile
The river of life stretches infinitely, vast and uncontainable.
I'm crossing you in style someday (someday, day)
I will journey across this river in my own unique way and time, with grace and elegance: someday, someday.
A dream maker (maker, maker)
The river is a source of inspiration, where I can turn my dreams into realities.
My heartbreaker (you heartbreaker)
Though beautiful, the river can also bring heartache and pain, leaving me vulnerable and broken.
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' that way (the same, the same)
I'll follow the river and its twists and turns through life's journey, wherever it may lead, we are one and the same.
Two drifters off to see the world
In this vast world, we are wanderers, exploring new horizons and discovering the unknown.
There's such a crazy world to see
The world is so diverse, with so much to explore and discover, it's almost overwhelming.
We're all chasin' after all the same
We all want the same things in life, love, success, and happiness, we are all in this together.
Chasing after our rainbow's end
We all have our own hopes and dreams, trying to find the pot of gold at the end of our own rainbow.
It's such a crazy world you'll see (What I see, who I become)
The world is unpredictable, and it can change us and shape us in ways we never thought possible.
Life's just around the bend, my friend
Life is full of twists and turns, and often the best things are just around the corner.
Moon river and me
The river is a constant companion, a source of comfort, and a reflection of myself as I navigate through life.
Lyrics © Tratore
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Henry Mancini
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheGroovyGuitarDude
For anyone who wants to play this on guitar, here's how :)
The whole song is based on this one, long chord progression with a single down strum per chord! It repeats about 4 times through the whole song.
C, Am, F, C, F, C, Bm7, E7
Am, G, F, Fm, C, Am, F, G
The only part that is different is after Frank stops singing at the very end, that part just repeats this:
C, Am, F, G
Hope that helps out! If you get stuck or need any extra help, I just uploaded a video lesson for this on my channel :)
@ghaithghazi6748
Moon river wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style someday
A dream maker
My heartbreaker
Wherever you're going I'm going that way
Two drifters off to see the world
There's such a crazy world to see
We're all chasing after all the same
Chasing after our rainbow's end
Moon river wider than a mile
Crossing in style someday
My dream maker
Heartbreaker
Wherever you're going I'm going the same
Two drifters off to see the world
It's such a crazy world you'll see
We're all chasing after our end
Chasing after our ends
Life just around the bend my friend
Moon river and me
@samantharocha8205
Moon river wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style someday (someday, day)
A dream maker (maker, maker)
My heartbreaker (you heartbreaker)
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' that way (the same, the same)
Two drifters off to see the world
There's such a crazy world to see
We're all chasin' after all the same
Chasing after our rainbow's end
Moon river wider than a mile
Crossin' in style someday
My dream maker
Heartbreaker
Wherever you're going I'm going the same
Two drifters off to see the world
It's such a crazy world you'll see (What I see, who I become)
What I see, who I become
We're all chasin' after our end
Chasin' after our ends
Life's just around the bend, my friend
Moon river and me
@kashbhajii
[Intro]
One, two
[Chorus]
Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style someday
A dream maker (Maker)
My heart (You heart) breaker
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' that way (The same)
[Refrain]
Two drifters off to see the world
There's such a crazy world to see
We're all chasin' after all the same
Chasin' after our ends
[Chorus]
Moon river, wider than a mile
Crossin' in style someday
My dream maker, heartbreaker
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' the same
[Refrain]
Two drifters off to see the world
It's such a crazy world you'll see
What I see, who I become
What I see, who I become
We're all chasin' after our ends
Chasin' after our ends
[Outro]
Life's just around the bend, my friend
Moon river and me
@rnicole172
We’re so lucky to exist at the same time and place in the universe as Frank.
@Jay-P2025
Vera de la Mer I agree. I was just thinking the same thing. I hope I'm a love to receive my endless cd. That will be a great day
@rwb_gary6355
Yesssss!
@piinkdiamonds
Forever grateful
@MarcosAntonio-vf3ln
Forever grateful existing at the same time that frank ocean is alive we don’t deserve such an angel
@domw3239
Ahahaa those aliens 1000 lightyears away must be so jealous@!!
@huhrjay
Frank ocean could sing me the dictionary and i would cry
@harmandosanjh3922
ikr
@gracebryceland6302
This is the tea ☕️
@christopherpettis1656
You commented this on self control right?