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.
Private Show
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me plug my guitar in
I wanna play for you baby can you hear me?
Oh, it's a sold out crowd
I'm kind of nervous
And they yellin' my name out
Can you hear 'em?
Oh, I would cancel if I could (woah, oh, oh)
Oh, oh, oh
You said if I loved you then I would
Make it a private show, intimate affair
Sitting in the front row, only ones here
Said you want a private show
Said you want a private show
If you want a private show
Doors are closin', doors are closin'
Doors are closin'
Private show, intimate affair
Dancing in the front row, only one here
Said you want a private show
Said you want a private show and you want a
VIP, backstage pass and all that
VIP, backstage pass and all that
I really love my fans
So we gotta move quickly
And once I finish here
Don't shout out encore
You can sing along to my songs, and then
Then I'll applaud you, and then
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, I would cancel if I could (woah, oh, oh)
Oh, oh, oh
You said if I loved you then I would
Make it a private show, intimate affair
Sitting in the front row, only ones here
Said you want a private show
Said you want a private show
If you want a private show
Doors are closin', doors are closin'
Doors are closin'
Private show, intimate affair
Dancing in the front row, only one here
Said you want a private show
Said you want a private show and you want a
VIP, backstage pass and all that
VIP, backstage pass and all that
Live so much better than the radio
Bet-bet-better than the radio
Live so much better than the radio
Bet-bet-better than the radio
Live so much better than the radio
Bet-bet-better than the radio
Live so much better, live so much better
Private show, intimate affair
Sitting in the front row, only ones here
Said you want a private show
Said you want a private show
If you want a private show
Doors are closin', doors are closin'
Doors are closin'
Private show, intimate affair
Dancing in the front row, only one here
Said you want a private show
Said you want a private show and you want a
VIP, backstage pass and all that
VIP, backstage pass and all that
The lyrics to Frank Ocean's song "Private Show" depict a desire for intimacy and exclusivity in a relationship. The song begins with Frank expressing his desire to play his guitar for his partner, creating a private and personal moment between them. He acknowledges the nervousness he feels as he performs in front of a sold-out crowd, but his partner's presence gives him the confidence to continue.
The chorus emphasizes the idea of a private show, indicating that the couple wants to focus solely on each other without any distractions. They want to be the only ones present, sitting in the front row, and experiencing an intimate affair. The repetition of "Doors are closin'" suggests that they want to shut out the outside world and revel in their exclusive connection.
The second verse reveals Frank's genuine love for his fans but emphasizes the importance of his partner within that context. He acknowledges the need to move quickly, still valuing his fans' support, but prioritizing his partner's desire for a private experience. The mention of not shouting out an encore showcases his dedication to his partner and the private moment they are sharing.
In the bridge, Frank highlights the superiority of experiencing a live performance over listening to recordings on the radio. He emphasizes that being present in the moment, experiencing the energy of a live show, is far better than any mediated experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, bring an amp up here
I need to set up my equipment to perform
Let me plug my guitar in
I want to connect my guitar to the amplifier
I wanna play for you baby can you hear me?
I want to perform a song for you, hoping you can hear and enjoy it
Oh, it's a sold out crowd
There are no more tickets available for this performance, the venue is full
I'm kind of nervous
I feel anxious and worried about the upcoming performance
And they yellin' my name out
The audience is loudly calling my name in excitement and anticipation
Can you hear 'em?
Can you listen to the enthusiastic screams and shouts from the crowd?
Oh, oh, oh
Expressing a sense of frustration or distress
Oh, I would cancel if I could (woah, oh, oh)
I wish I could cancel this performance
You said if I loved you then I would
You are implying that my love for you is measured by my willingness to perform
Make it a private show, intimate affair
I want this performance to be exclusive and personal
Sitting in the front row, only ones here
We would be the only ones present, enjoying the performance from the best seats
Said you want a private show
You expressed your desire for an exclusive performance
Doors are closin', doors are closin'
The opportunity for a private show is coming to an end
Private show, intimate affair
An exclusive performance, focused on creating a personal connection
Dancing in the front row, only one here
We would be the only ones dancing in the front row, creating a special moment
Said you want a private show and you want a
You reiterated your desire for a private show and added another request
VIP, backstage pass and all that
You want a VIP experience, including access to backstage areas and additional perks
I really love my fans
I have a deep affection for my supporters
So we gotta move quickly
We need to proceed at a fast pace
And once I finish here
Once this performance concludes
Don't shout out encore
Please don't request an additional performance
You can sing along to my songs, and then
Feel free to join and sing along with me during my songs, and then...
Then I'll applaud you, and then
I will show my appreciation for your participation by applauding you
Live so much better than the radio
The live experience of my music is far superior to what you hear on the radio
Bet-bet-better than the radio
Definitely better than what you hear on the radio
VIP, backstage pass and all that
You still want the VIP treatment and access to backstage areas
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@udknm7761
Wiseman closes mouth
Madman closes fist
Young man shows his age
Judge man named it sin
Bad man don' exist no
No evil man exists
Good man don't exist no
No righteous man exists
Sad man cannot cry in place where man can see
Never witnessed father weep
This old man thought it weak
But strong man don't exist
No undying man exists
Weak man don't exist no
Just flesh and blood exists
But your mother would be proud of you
I bet your mother would be proud of you
The beast will crawl this earth
Then fall in the dirt to feed the crows
They'll rip apart his flesh
Til all that's left is glorious bone
So you'll bury your own
Too vain
You saw it unfold
What you know
And you claimed all you could hold
Until death did you part from the mess you made
I bet your mother would be proud of you
I bet your mother would be proud of you
Primate sharpens tool
To survive and thrive in the jungle
Maybe hearts were made to pump blood
Maybe lungs were made for flood
I won't blunt my blade for cut these chains
Rather let my limbs be dragged through mud
You're my brother but your eyes are cold
You're my sister but your womb is bare
I bet our mother would be proud of you
I bet our mother would be proud of you
Bad man don't exist
No evil man exists
I know good man don't exist
No righteous man exists
Strong man don't exist
No undying man exists
Weak man don't exist
No just flesh and blood exists
@EtesaamAhmed
Vibe S as..as. v.v.s va
Bcsbxa.s. ...va
S.a. A c.bc s as.vsa.xa.
C.s.
V. C.s..scv.
.ca.xsa.bx.sv s.b
S. .s.b.ssv. a ca ..s.v.v. v.a zzzzzzz z. Zaava vc.a s.vs
A. Vaa. S sv s.vs.
.
Vv. V.vssv..svs zzzzz z. Z cazss
As.vaCz z ,
@wardnig5166
Wiseman closed his mouth
Madman closed his fist
Young man shows his age
Judge man named it sin
Bad men don't exist, no, no
Evil men exist
Good men don't exist, no, no
Righteous men exist
Sad man cannot cry in place where men can see
Never witnessed father weep
This old man thought it weak
But strong men don't exist, no
Undying men exists
Weak men don't exist, no
Just flesh and blood exist
But your mother would be proud of you
I bet your mother would be proud of you
The beast will crawl this earth
Then fall in the dirt to feed the crows
They'll rip apart his flesh
Till all that's left is glorious bone
So you'll bury your own
Too vain
You saw it unfold
What you know
You claimed all you could hold
Until death did you part from the mess you made
I bet your mother would be proud of you
I bet your mother would be proud of you
Primate sharpens tool
To survive and thrive in the jungle
Maybe hearts were made to pump blood
Maybe lungs were made for flood
I won't blunt my blade for cut these chains
Rather let my limbs be drug through mud
You're my brother but your eyes are cold
You're my sister but your womb is bare
I bet our mother would be proud of you
(You, you, you, oooh)
I bet our mother would be proud of you
(Mother would be proud)
Bad men don't exist, no
Evil men exist
I know good men don't exist, no
Righteous men exist
But strong men don't exist, no
Undying men exists
Weak men don't exist, no
Just flesh and blood exists
I bet your mother would be proud, oooh
I bet your mother would be proud, oooh
@GarrettWatts
Man. Just… man.
@avahayes6785
garrett i didn’t know you were a frank fan i love this
@yxunar
hi garrett! so cool to see your a frank fan :) but you are a very cool youtuber so it was expected teehee
@vtgchanelswan
ok i see u!!
@ryleesocks6818
Real carrot boi real ‼️‼️💜
@LukeKennedy-uo8hc
Cringey ah comment
@Naiym
Beautiful song, I wish it was on Spotify. Edit: I found it on Spotify! It's Wiseman by Yung Pressy
@Amelia-mk3fn
Same
@I8ARSE
It is on there technically, it's just on there as a podcast episode rather than a song.
@wildabeatz5308
@@itss.shelbyyy1457shhhh they gonna take it down