Nikes
Frank Ocean Lyrics

These bitches want Nikes
These women desire expensive shoes as a symbol of status

They looking for a check
They want to use the shoes to impress someone or to gain money

Tell 'em it ain't likely
They are unlikely to obtain the shoes or find what they're looking for

Said she need a ring like Carmelo
The woman wants an engagement ring similar to the basketball player Carmelo Anthony's ring as a symbol of commitment

Must be on that white like Othello
She might be under the influence of a drug or medication that changes her perception of reality, similar to what happened to Othello in Shakespeare's play of the same name

All you want is Nikes
The desire for material possessions is the main concern for many people, including the singer

But the real ones just like you
The singer implies that the true self-worth is not determined by material possessions or social status, and that we are all the same

Just like me
The artist includes himself in the group of individuals whose worth is not determined by material possessions

I don't play, I don't make time
The artist does not have time for meaningless games and relationships

But if you need dick I got you and I yam from the line
The artist is willing to provide sexual pleasure but nothing more than that, hinting at his African-American roots

Pour up for A$AP
The singer raises a drink to pay tribute to the late rapper A$AP Yams

RIP Pimp C
The artist pays tribute to the deceased rapper Pimp C

RIP Trayvon, that nigga look just like me
The singer acknowledges the tragedy of Trayvon Martin's death and reveals his personal connection to the case due to his similarity in appearance with Trayvon

Woo, fuckin' buzzin', woo!
The singer is excited and possibly high or drunk

That my lil cousin, he got a lil trade
The singer is talking about his younger relative who has a specialty or a job

His girl keep the scales, a lil mermaid
The younger relative's girlfriend is responsible for weighing or measuring a substance, and is compared to the character Ariel in a playful way

We out by the pool, some lil mermaids
The artist and his group are enjoying a relaxing time by the pool with the girlfriends present

Me and them gel
The singer gets along well with the girlfriends

Like twigs with them bangs
The girlfriends' hairstyles are compared to twigs with bangs

Now that's a real mermaid
The girlfriends are playfully compared to mermaids

You been holding your breath
The artist implies that the listener has been waiting for something to happen

Weighted down
The listener might have felt burdened or overwhelmed

Punk madre, punk papa
The singer is calling the listener's parents weak

He don't care for me
The listener's father does not care for the artist

But he cares for me
Despite the previous statement, the singer thinks that the listener's father actually does care for him

And that's good enough
The singer is satisfied with the current situation, as he feels that he has obtained some level of approval from the listener's father

We don't talk much or nothin'
The singer and the listener might not have a close relationship, as they do not communicate frequently

But when we talkin' about somethin'
When they do talk, it is about meaningful or significant things

We have good discussion
The artist and the listener have productive and engaging conversations

I met his friends last week, feels like they're up to somethin'
The singer has recently met the listener's father's friends and suspects that something is going on, perhaps regarding himself and the listener

That's good for us
The singer thinks that whatever the father's friends are planning, it will be beneficial for him and the listener

We'll let you guys prophesy
The artist will allow people to make predictions or see into the future

We gon' see the future first
The artist believes that he and his group will experience something before others do

Living so the last night feels like a past life
The artist and his group live their lives intensely, making everyday experiences memorable

Speakin' of the, don't know what got into people
The singer is discussing how people are acting strangely, and doesn't know what is causing it

Devil be possessin homies
The artist suggests that some people might be under the influence of evil forces

Demons try to body jump
The singer believes that supernatural forces are trying to take over people's physical bodies

Why you think I'm in this bitch wearing a fucking Yarmulke?
The singer reveals that he is wearing a Jewish skullcap as a form of protection from evil spirits

Acid on me like the rain
The singer compares the sensation of acid on his skin to falling rain

Weed crumbles in the glitter
The artist notes that weed is present in the glitter around him

Rain, glitter
The artist describes the setting, where rain and glitter are falling around him

We laid out on this wet floor
The singer is relaxing on a wet surface, possibly due to the rain

Away turf, no Astro
The singer is not on familiar ground, and there is no artificial grass like there would be on a sports field

Mesmerized how the strobes glow
The artist is captivated by the flashing lights of a strobe

Look at all the people feet dance
The artist is observing the crowd's reaction to the music

I know that your nigga came with you
The artist has noticed that the listener's significant other is present

But he ain't with you
Despite being physically present, the listener's significant other is emotionally distant or not involved in the same activities as the listener

We only human and it's humid in these Balmains
The artist acknowledges that everyone is human, and it is hot and uncomfortable in their designer clothes

I mean my balls stickin' in my jeans
The singer is expressing how uncomfortable he is due to the heat and his clothing

We breathin' pheromones, Amber Rose
The singer implies that everyone around him is aroused, and references the model and sex-positive advocate Amber Rose

Sippin' pink-gold lemonades
The singer and his group are drinking expensive and fancy cocktails

Feelin'
The artist simply indicates his current state of being

I may be younger but I'll look after you
The artist is willing to provide care and support to the listener despite their age difference

We're not in love, but I'll make love to you
The singer is willing to have sex with the listener despite not being in love with them

When you're not here I'll save some for you
The singer promises to save some of their sexual energy for the next time they are together

I'm not him but I'll mean somethin' to you
The artist acknowledges that he is not the perfect partner but believes he can still provide the listener with something meaningful

I'll mean somethin' too
The artist emphasizes that he can also be a significant presence in the listener's life

You got a roommate he'll hear what we do
The artist reminds the listener that their activities might be overheard by a roommate who is present

It's only awkward if you're fuckin' him too
The singer jokingly implies that the situation will only be awkward if the roommate is also involved in their sexual activities