There were also several different versions of “Provider” played on episode 007, featuring different intros, speeds, and outros.
The single artwork shouts out Heavenly Donuts, a West Coast doughnut chain with 6 locations in Washington State, Oregon, and California.
This exemplifies Frank’s duality which is present in much of his work.
This isn’t the first time Frank has switched beats in the middle of a song. In 2012’s “Pyramids,” a change in beat splits the song into two distinct parts. On 2016’s “Nights,” a beat shift not only splits the song in two, but marks the exact halfway point of “Blonde.”
Provider
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah my best friend ain't backing out, it's still on sight, fool
I'm the only one out here on the night loops
I'm the only one out here on the night loops
Trophy case still light, body need a race stripe
And these minerals on my body break light
And these reds on my body brakelight
New man comin' up ahead on his own two
Sleepin' on my belly in a loop like a serpent
Talking Heads ripplin' on the surface
Eyes low, chin heavy shoegazer
Moonwalkin', R.I.P. Stanley Kubrick
You had you some birthdays, could you prove it?
Show me the wisdom in your movement
Show me some wisdom in your movement
Feelings you provide
Feelings you provide
I know it, I know it
The feelings I, the feelings, I know it, I
Feelings you provide
Feelings you provide
I know it, I know it
The feelings, I know it, the feelings, I, I
Tonight I might change my life
If you lived like I live
You couldn't live without it
Said I'd be your new best friend
But what more? Yeah
Ain't too late to out
(Provide)
(Provide)
Tonight I might change my life, all for you
All for you (provide)
Provided, diamond lane that didn't exist
Packed the Astro van and brought my kids through
Prada tee on the eldest, throw the Gildan on the children
Hand-me-down fits
Chest pass, see mist off rotation (swish, swisha)
Stiff smile just like I'm Aphex Twin (yeah, come to daddy, yeah)
Pat the Patagonia pockets, tryna find my zip (uh, where it's at? Yeah)
Blunt twist, tightropes, I'm not fallin' off (never that, no)
Watch friends, go pro through fisheye lens, drownin' off clear
I just saw Jaws, divin' under influence
Been feelin' like the Lord just out of reach for me (for me)
How I feel lettin' man speak
How I feel lettin' man speak for me (for me)
Holyfield, keep your ears split for me
Can't show my face if you spit for me
Spit for me, yeah
Eyes low, chin heavy shoegazer
Moonwalkin', R.I.P. Stanley Kubrick
You had you some birthdays, could you prove it?
Show me the wisdom in your movement
Show me some wisdom in your movement
Feelings you provide
Feelings you provide
I know, I know it
The feelings I, the feelings, I know it, I
Feelings you provide
Feelings you provide
I know it, I know it
The feelings, I know it, the feelings, I, I
Tonight I might change my life, all for you, all for you
(Provide)
In "Provider," Frank Ocean reflects on his unique experience as a successful artist, his relationship with his best friend and the people who provided him with feelings of joy and inspiration. The song begins with Frank admitting that if he doesn't spend time with his friend Memo soon, he's going to start acting out. Despite their distance, there's an understanding that their bond remains strong. Frank acknowledges that he's the only one out here on the "night loops," implying that he may have night gigs that his peers don't have. He also mentions that he needs a race stripe on his body to complete his trophy case. The line suggests that he feels like he's not successful enough, despite all his achievements.
Frank appears to revel in his unique experience, as he compares himself to a serpent, wrapping himself in a loop. He recollects on the time he has spent living, questioning whether anyone can learn from his movements, showing him wisdom. The feeling of being an outcast, along with the pain that comes with success, is something that Frank Ocean grapples with.
In the chorus, he expresses gratitude towards the people in his life who have provided him with feelings of happiness and inspiration. He recognizes and appreciates those feelings. He acknowledges his friend, who is always there for him in hard times.
Overall, "Provider" presents Frank Ocean's signature poetic lyricism, which is hard to fully parse, but leaves us with a room for interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
Memo finna start acting out if I don't see him soon
My memory is going to start causing problems if I don't remember someone soon
Yeah my best friend ain't backing out, it's still on sight, fool
My best friend won't give up and will stay committed to the situation
I'm the only one out here on the night loops
I am the only one out here during the night doing these things
Trophy case still light, body need a race stripe
I haven't won many awards yet, so I need to win some big championships
And these minerals on my body break light
The minerals on my body shine brightly
And these reds on my body brakelight
The reds on my body resemble brake lights
New man comin' up ahead on his own two
A new person is making progress on their own
Is you a natural blondie like Goku?
Are you naturally blonde like Goku from Dragon Ball Z?
Sleepin' on my belly in a loop like a serpent
I am laying on my stomach in a circular motion like a snake
Talking Heads ripplin' on the surface
The music from the Talking Heads is creating waves on the surface of the water
Eyes low, chin heavy shoegazer
I am looking downwards with my head hanging down like a shoegazer
Moonwalkin', R.I.P. Stanley Kubrick
I am moonwalking as a tribute to Stanley Kubrick who passed away
You had you some birthdays, could you prove it?
You have had some birthdays, but can you provide proof?
Show me the wisdom in your movement
Demonstrate the smart choices you make in your actions
Feelings you provide
I am experiencing emotions because of what you bring to my life
I know it, I know it
I am aware of the emotions I am feeling
Tonight I might change my life
I have the possibility of making significant changes in my life tonight
If you lived like I live, you couldn't live without it
If others lived like I do, they would not be able to live without it
Said I'd be your new best friend, but what more? Yeah
I offered to be your new best friend, but what else can I do?
Ain't too late to out (Provide)
It is not too late to be better (provide)
Provided, diamond lane that didn't exist
I have made progress in an area that was previously nonexistent
Packed the Astro van and brought my kids through
I loaded up the car with my children and brought them along
Hand-me-down fits
My clothes are passed down from someone else
Chest pass, see mist off rotation (swish, swisha)
I pass the ball, and you can see the mist coming off its spinning motion (swish, swisha)
Stiff smile just like I'm Aphex Twin (yeah, come to daddy, yeah)
I force a smile that is similar to the musician Aphex Twin's expression (come to daddy, yeah)
Pat the Patagonia pockets, tryna find my zip (uh, where it's at? Yeah)
I pat my Patagonia jacket pockets, looking for my zipper (uh, where is it? Yeah)
Blunt twist, tightropes, I'm not fallin' off (never that, no)
I am smoking a blunt, walking the tightrope, but I won't fall off (never that, no)
Watch friends, go pro through fisheye lens, drownin' off clear
I watch my friends use a fisheye lens camera, getting taken away by the clarity
I just saw Jaws, divin' under influence
I recently watched the movie Jaws while diving under the influence
Been feelin' like the Lord just out of reach for me (for me)
I feel like I cannot reach God or some higher being (for me)
How I feel lettin' man speak
I am not happy with the situation, allowing someone else to speak over me
Holyfield, keep your ears split for me
Please pay close attention to what I am saying (a reference to boxer Evander Holyfield)
Can't show my face if you spit for me
I cannot be around you if you are talking badly about me
Feelings you provide
I am experiencing emotions because of what you bring to my life
I know it, I know it
I am aware of the emotions I am feeling
Tonight I might change my life, all for you, all for you (Provide)
I have the potential to make significant changes in my life, all because of you (Provide)
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER EDWIN BREAUX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@levi-homer
provider just makes me so comfortable whenever i listen. i feel like i’m home not even my house or anything, just like a place where i can be in my own head comfortably. no cap
@GGFundCo
Exactly, I'm obsessed
@tonyfourhunnid
in your head comfortably maybe because you are not wearing a baseball cap (no cap)
@princesssheabutter
Very true.
@valtontony826
Damn bro das deep 🗿
@KevinMcLean
that fact that you said "in my own head" and "no cap" is what makes this so deep
@perfectlyMessy
Kids, back when i was your age, i had to wait years for Frank to drop new stuff.
July 2015 was the dark days.
@josephrichardson4346
andyhartley very very dark t times
@FoxyChariot
Freshman when he dropped Blonde
@AKIMBOGATS1972
He doesnt make music for his fans. He does it when he thinks he should or when something happens in his life. Thats why all his songs are good because you wait 5-7 years of him thinking/writting his songs.