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.
Pink White
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, yeah, yeah
That's the way every day goes
Every time we've no control
If the sky is pink and white
If the ground is black and yellow
It's the same way you showed me
Halfway on a slow move
It's the same way you showed me
If you could fly then you'd feel south
Up north's getting cold soon
The way it is, we're on land
So I'm someone to hold true
Keep you cool when it's still alive
Won't let you down when it's all ruin
Just the same way you showed me
Showed me
You showed me love
Glory from above
Regard, my dear
It's all downhill from here
In the wake of a hurricane
Dark skin of a summer shade
Nosedive in the flood lines
Tall tower of milk crates
It's the same way you showed me
Cannonball off the porch side
Older kids tryin' off the rooves
Just the same way you showed me (you showed)
If you could die and come back to life
Up for air from the swimming pool
You kneel down to the dry land
Kiss the Earth that birthed you
Gave you tools just to stay alive
And make it out when the sun is ruined
That's the same way you showed me
Showed me
You showed me love
Glory from above
Regard, my dear
It's all downhill from here
Remember life, remember how it was
Climb trees, Michael Jackson, all ends here
Say what up to Matthew, to Shoob
Say what up to Danny
Say what up to life immortality
Bending up my Nikes
Running out of melpomene, nicotine
Stealing granny cigs (take it easy)
Gimme something sweet
Bitch, I might like immortality
This is life, life immortality
The song "Pink + White" by Frank Ocean is an introspective reflection on the various aspects of life and the human experience. Throughout the song, Ocean acknowledges that life is unpredictable and uncontrollable, yet asserts that we should try to embrace it with love and gratitude. He paints vivid imagery of the sky turning pink and white, and the ground being black and yellow - contrasting colors that symbolize the beauty and chaos of existence.
Ocean seems to look up to someone as a mentor or guardian throughout the song, as he mentions how they showed him various things about life. It is not clear who this person is, but it could be interpreted as a higher power or the universe itself. They have given him the tools to stay alive and make it through the tough times, whether it be through staying calm or holding onto something true.
In the second verse, Ocean describes a catastrophic event, referencing a hurricane and flooding, and how it all reminds him of how he was taught to face chaos. He recalls how this person showed him how to cannonball off their porch and to kneel down and kiss the earth that birthed him. He credits them for giving him life and something to hold onto, and affirms that he has been paying attention and using what they taught him to stay alive.
Overall, "Pink + White" reflects on the beauty and unpredictability of life, and how we should try to embrace it with open hands and eyes. Ocean's introspection on life is complemented by the allegorical references to pink and white skies and black and yellow grounds, as well as the vivid imagery of pivotal moments in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
That's the way every day goes
Life is unpredictable and we often have no control over it.
Every time we've no control
Life is unpredictable and we often have no control over it.
If the sky is pink and white
The world can be a beautiful and unpredictable place.
If the ground is black and yellow
The world can be a beautiful and unpredictable place, even if it's not always pleasant.
It's the same way you showed me
Life can be unpredictable and full of beauty, just like the person who showed him.
Nod my head, don't close my eyes
Stay alert and aware in life, even when things are unpredictable.
Halfway on a slow move
Life can move slowly, so it's important to be patient.
If you could fly then you'd feel south
If you could escape the confines of the real world, life might be more beautiful and rewarding.
Up north's getting cold soon
Winter is coming and life can be difficult during the cold season.
The way it is, we're on land
We are limited by our physical existence on this planet.
So I'm someone to hold true
He wants to be a dependable and trustworthy person in someone's life.
Keep you cool when it's alive
Stay calm and level-headed during moments of excitement or danger.
Won't let you down when it's all ruin
He won't abandon someone during the darkest moments of their life.
In the wake of a hurricane
Natural disasters can be devastating and have long-lasting effects.
Dark skin of a summer shade
Summer is characterized by its warmth and vibrant colors.
Nosedive in the flood lines
Emphasizes the sudden and chaotic nature of storms and floods.
Tall tower of milk crates
In times of chaos, we find creative ways to solve problems and survive.
Cannonball off the porch side
Thrill-seeking and daring behavior can often be exhilarating.
Older kids tryin' off the rooves
Adolescence is often characterized by taking risks and testing boundaries.
If you could die and come back to life
The idea of being given a second chance at life is intriguing.
Up for air from the swimming pool
Emerging from water is often seen as a rebirth or renewal of life.
You kneel down to the dry land
Be grateful for the earth and nature that sustains us.
Kiss the Earth that birthed you
Show respect and reverence for the natural world.
Gave you tools just to stay alive
Nature provides us with resources to survive and thrive.
And make it out when the sun is ruined
Even in dark or hopeless situations, it's possible to find a way out.
Remember life, remember how it was
Reflect on the memories and experiences that shape our lives.
Climb trees, Michael Jackson, all ends here
Childhood memories help shape who we are as adults.
Say what up to Matthew, to Shoob
Acknowledging people from the past who had an impact on his life.
Say what up to Danny
Acknowledging people from the past who had an impact on his life.
Say what up to life immortality
The concept of living forever is intriguing.
Bending up my Nikes
Getting ready to take action and move forward in life.
Running out of melpomene, nicotine
Life can be filled with addictions that help us cope or distract from reality.
Stealing granny cigs (take it easy)
Youthful mischief and rebellion can be a part of growing up.
Gimme something sweet
Seeking pleasure or relief from the harsh realities of life.
Bitch, I might like immortality
The idea of living forever can be appealing and intriguing.
This is life, life immortality
Emphasizes the fleeting nature of human existence and longing for something that lasts forever.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ommas Keith-Graham, Tyler Gregory Okonma, Charles Christopher Breaux, Pharrell L. Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@baatarsaran5686
That's the way everyday goes
Every time we've no control
If the sky is pink and white
If the ground is black and yellow
It's the same way you showed me
Nod my head, don't close my eyes
Halfway on a slow move
It's the same way you showed me
If you could fly then you'd feel south
Up north's getting cold soon
The way it is, we're on land
So I'm someone to hold true
Keep you cool when it's still alive
Won't let you down when it's all ruin
Just the same way you showed me, showed me
You showed me love
Glory from above
Regard my dear
It's all downhill from here
In the wake of a hurricane
Dark skin of a summer shade
Nosedive in the flood lines
Tall tower of milk crates
It's the same way you showed me
Cannonball off the porch side
Older kids trying off the roof
Just the same way you showed me (You showed)
If you could die and come back to life
Up for air from the swimming pool
You'd kneel down to the dry land
Kiss the Earth that birthed you
Gave you tools just to stay alive
And make it out when the sun is ruined
That's the same way you showed me, showed me
You showed me love
Glory from above
Regard my dear
It's all downhill from here
Remember life
Remember how it was
Climb trees, Michael Jackson, it all ends here
Say what up to Matthew, to Shoob
Say what up to Danny
Say what up to life immortality
Bending up my Nikes
Running out the melpomene, nicotine
Stealing granny cigs (Take it easy)
Gimme something sweet
Bitch, I might like immortality
This is life, life immortality
@bengusimsek3457
Yeah, yeah oh
Yeah, yeah yeah
That's the way everyday goes
Every time we have no control
If the sky is pink and white
If the ground is black and yellow
It's the same way you showed me
Nod my head, don't close my eyes
Half way on a slow move
It's the same way you showed me
If you could fly then you'd feel south
Up north's getting cold soon
The way it is, we're on land
So I'm someone to hold true
Keep you cool in this good life
Won't let you down when it's all ruined
Just the same way you showed me, showed me
You showed me love
Glory from above
Good Glory, dear
It's all downhill from here
In the wake of a hurricane
Dark skin of a summer shade
Nose dive in the flood lines
Tall tower, milk crate
It's the same way you showed me
Cannon ball off the porch side
Older kids trying off the roof
Just the same way you showed me (you showed)
If you could die and come back to life
Up for air from the swimming pool
You kneel down to the dry land
Kiss the Earth that birthed you
Gave you tools just to stay alive
And make it up when the sun is ruined
That's the same way you showed me, showed me
You showed me love
Glory from above
Where God could fear
It's all downhill from here
What a life
Remember how it was
Climb trees, Michael Jackson, all in this year
Say what up to Magic, just shoot
Say what up to Penny
Say what up to life one more time
And I know what you might want to know
Run from me and your team
Still ain't grabbin six (take it easy)
Give me somethin sweet
Bitch I might bite, ain't no tellin
This is life, life immortality
@davidmadrid9951
That's the way every day goes
Every time we've no control
If the sky is pink and white
If the ground is black and yellow
It's the same way you showed me
Nod my head, don't close my eyes
Halfway on a slow move
It's the same way you showed me
If you could fly, then you'd feel south
Up north's getting cold soon
The way it is, we're on land
Still I'm someone to hold true
Keep you cool when it's still alive
Won't let you down when it's all ruin
[Chorus]
Just the same way you showed me, showed me
You showed me love
Glory from above
Regard, my dear
It's all downhill from here
[Verse 2]
In the wake of a hurricane
Dark skin of a summer shade
Nosedive into flood lines
Tall tower of milk crates
It's the same way you showed me
Cannonball off the porch side
Older kids trying off the roof
Just the same way you showed me (You showed)
If you could die and come back to life
Up for air from the swimming pool
You'd kneel down to the dry land
Kiss the Earth that birthed you
Gave you tools just to stay alive
And make it out when the sun is ruined
[Chorus]
That's the same way you showed me, showed me
You showed me love
Glory from above
Regard, my dear
It's all downhill from here
[Outro: Frank Ocean & Beyoncé]
Remember life, remember how it was
Climb trees, Michael Jackson, it all ends here
Say what up to Matthew, to Shoob
Say what up to Danny
Say what up to life immortality
Bending up my Nikes
Running out the melpomene, nicotine
Stealing granny cigs (Take it easy)
Gimme something sweet
Bitch, I might like immortality
This is life, life immortality
@markly5460
This is like the chillest song I've ever heard, everytime I hear it it's like I'm on a cloud.
@briana8133
it’s a beautiful song fr
@emenuae
All I think about is Mickey and Ian from shameless 😂
@jennyneon
That's why the sky is pink and white! :)
@Allinthelag
Listen to 0:13 of bsd it puts this song in a little bit of a different perspective
@randoss6213
Yeah I love it
@shizukagozen777
This song makes me want to fall in love and be loved in return.
@Slynell1
Open your heart.
@shizukagozen777
@@Slynell1
I think that's not that easy. haha
@Nicole-xg1yt
If only it worked out that way