The song makes reference to the historical Cleopatra, who brought dishonor to her country by becoming Mark Antony’s mistress. Mark Antony was a conqueror who wanted Egypt as Roman territory, which is how they crossed paths.
In Ocean’s song, he narrates a similar happening with him and his woman. Now that she became a traitor and left him for the enemy, her decision has backfired on her—because she is not an entity of glory and honor anymore, but of dishonor. She is reduced to a common stripper who is now taking care of her man who has no job. It’s almost as if “the king” is paying her back for what she did, because the narrator speaks of his woman stripping to “keep a nigga bills paid.”
But there is still some kind of unhealthy love and devotion to one another because they still stay together, and are a couple so to speak. This song is literally a historical account of the Black man and woman in America and our slow fall from grace. From Gods to dogs, symbolically.
Pyramids
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a thief out on the move
Underneath our legion's view
They have taken Cleopatra
Run run run, come back for my glory
Bring her back to me
Run run run, the crown of our pharaoh
The throne of our queen is empty
We'll run to the future, shining like diamonds
In a rocky world, rocky rocky world
Our skin like bronze and our hair like cashmere
As we march to the rhythm, on the palace floor
Chandeliers inside the pyramid, tremble from the force
Cymbals crash inside the pyramid, voices fill up the halls
Set the cheetahs on the loose
There's a thief out on the move
Underneath our legion's view
They have taken Cleopatra, Cleopatra
The jewel of Africa, jewel
What good is a jewel that ain't still precious?
How could you run off on me? How could you run off on us?
You feel like God inside that gold
I found you laying down with Samson and his full head of hair
I found my black queen Cleopatra, bad dreams, Cleopatra
Remove her, send the cheetahs to the tomb
Our war is over, our queen has met her doom
No more, she lives no more serpent in her room
No more, he has killed Cleopatra, Cleopatra
Big sun coming strong through the motel blinds
Wake up to your girl for now, let's call her Cleopatra, Cleopatra
I watch you fix your hair
Then put your panties on in the mirror, Cleopatra
Then your lipstick, Cleopatra
Then your six-inch heels
Catch her
She's headed to the pyramid
She's working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Pimping in my convos
Bubbles in my champagne
Let it be some jazz playing
Top floor motel suite twisting my cigars
Floor model TV with the VCR
Got rubies in my damn chain
Whip ain't got no gas tank
But it still got wood grain
Got your girl working for me
Hit the strip and my bills paid
That keep my bills paid
Hit the strip and my bills paid
Keep a nigga bills paid
She's working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
You showed up after work I'm bathing your body
Touch you in places only I know
You're wet and you're warm just like our bathwater
Can we make love before you go
The way you say my name makes me feel like
I'm that nigga
But I'm still unemployed
You say it's big but you take it
Ride cowgirl
But your love ain't free no more, baby
But your love ain't free no more
She's working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid, that's right
Working at the pyramid tonight, yeah
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
(Air guitar)
"Pyramids" is a track from Frank Ocean's Channel Orange album. The two-part song is split into two amazing sections of about nine minutes each. The first section largely features Ocean singing about Cleopatra and her fate. The second section is about a stripper that works at a club in the pyramid, which serves as a metaphor for a strip club. The first section portrays Cleopatra as the African queen and a symbol of feminine power, and her story is told in a metaphorical sense, while the second part of the song paints a picture of a world of utter decadence, with Ocean himself playing the role of a pimp.
In the first verse, "Set the cheetahs on the loose, there's a thief out on the move, underneath our legion's view, they have taken Cleopatra," Ocean sings about the kidnapping of a woman from her royal status. This woman, who is revealed in the chorus to be Cleopatra, symbolizes the stolen beauty of black women whose lives are devalued in society. She is the jewel of Africa snatched away by those who are only concerned about exploiting and profiting from her.
In the second part, Ocean sings about a stripper who works at a club in the pyramid, which is a metaphor for a strip club. The song glorifies the strip club culture and even goes on to promote materialism and vanity. At the same time, the lyrics offer a critique of the kind of society that creates a world of sex work and consumerism.
Line by Line Meaning
Set the cheetahs on the loose
Release the cheetahs to catch the thief who took Cleopatra
There's a thief out on the move
There is someone stealing things
Underneath our legion's view
The thief has gone unnoticed by our soldiers
They have taken Cleopatra
Cleopatra was one of the things the thief has taken
Run run run, come back for my glory
Hurry back with Cleopatra to bring glory to our nation
Bring her back to me
Deliver Cleopatra to me
Run run run, the crown of our pharaoh
Our pharaoh's crown is incomplete without Cleopatra
The throne of our queen is empty
The queen's throne is vacant because she is gone
We'll run to the future, shining like diamonds
We'll sprint to the future shining and beautiful like diamonds, even in a rough world
In a rocky world, rocky rocky world
The world is tough and there are many obstacles
Our skin like bronze and our hair like cashmere
Our skin is tough and strong like bronze, while our hair is soft and smooth like cashmere
As we march to the rhythm, on the palace floor
As we walk in sync to the beat of the music inside the palace
Chandeliers inside the pyramid, tremble from the force
The chandeliers inside the pyramid tremble vigorously from the force of the music
Cymbals crash inside the pyramid, voices fill up the halls
The sound of the cymbals crashing echoes throughout the halls of the pyramid, while voices heighten the intensity
The jewel of Africa, jewel
Cleopatra was the jewel of Africa, a precious treasure
What good is a jewel that ain't still precious?
What use is a jewel if it is no longer valuable?
How could you run off on me? How could you run off on us?
Why did you leave me/our nation?
You feel like God inside that gold
You feel powerful and superior when wearing that gold
I found you laying down with Samson and his full head of hair
I saw you having sex with someone who isn't me, Samson with all of his hair
I found my black queen Cleopatra, bad dreams, Cleopatra
I found my queen Cleopatra in my dreams, it may have not been real
Remove her, send the cheetahs to the tomb
Get rid of Cleopatra's body and put the cheetahs back in their cages
Our war is over, our queen has met her doom
Our war is over because our queen has passed away
No more, she lives no more serpent in her room
Our queen is no longer alive and her venomous pet is gone too
No more, he has killed Cleopatra, Cleopatra
The killer has successfully ended Cleopatra's life
Big sun coming strong through the motel blinds
The bright sun is shining through the window blinds of a motel
Wake up to your girl for now, let's call her Cleopatra, Cleopatra
Wake up to your girl, your temporary Cleopatra
I watch you fix your hair
I watch as you groom yourself
Then put your panties on in the mirror, Cleopatra
You put on your panties while viewing yourself in the mirror, my queen.
Then your lipstick, Cleopatra
Next, you apply your lipstick, Cleopatra.
Then your six-inch heels
Finally, you walk in your six-inch heels
Catch her
Get her
She's headed to the pyramid
She's on her way to the pyramid
She's working at the pyramid tonight
She's employed at the pyramid tonight
Pimping in my convos
Talking casually about a player's seducing abilities
Bubbles in my champagne
There are bubbles floating in my champagne
Let it be some jazz playing
Play some jazz music in the background
Top floor motel suite twisting my cigars
On the highest floor of the motel, where I have a suite, I twist cigars
Floor model TV with the VCR
Watching TV on a machine that blends a floor model with a VCR
Got rubies in my damn chain
My chain is adorned with rubies
Whip ain't got no gas tank
My car doesn't have a gas tank
But it still got wood grain
My car still has wood grain
Got your girl working for me
Your girl is working for me now
Hit the strip and my bills paid
Make money on the strip/nightclub and use it to cover expenses
That keep my bills paid
The money raised will keep my bills paid
She's working at the pyramid tonight
She's working at the pyramid tonight
You showed up after work I'm bathing your body
You just got out of work and I'm bathing you
Touch you in places only I know
Touch you intimately in ways that only I know
You're wet and you're warm just like our bathwater
You're wet and warm, similar to our bathwater
Can we make love before you go
May we have sexual intercourse before you leave?
The way you say my name makes me feel like
The way you say my name makes me feel
I'm that nigga
I'm the one
But I'm still unemployed
I don't have a job
You say it's big but you take it
You say it's big penis but you take it.
Ride cowgirl
Perform sex on top
But your love ain't free no more, baby
Your love now comes with a price, baby
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid tonight
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Taylor Scott Johnson, Christopher Breaux, James Ryan Wuithun Ho
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Introductory line, no real meaning behind it.
Every day is unpredictable, and we have no control over it.
No matter how hard we try, the future is always uncertain and out of our control.
The environment is always changing, and we can only adapt to the changes.
No matter the circumstances, life will always be what it is.
Our experiences in life shape us and influence how we react to certain situations.
Stay alert, be aware of your surroundings, and face your adversity head-on.
Life can be slow and monotonous, but it's important to keep moving forward.
Sometimes we wish things were different, but we have to work with what we have.
Change is constant and inevitable, and we must adapt accordingly.
We are confined to our natural surroundings and must find ways to thrive within them.
I will be there for you and remain reliable through thick and thin.
Stay calm and composed when things are going well.
I will not abandon you when things fall apart.
I learned how to remain dependable and support others from your example.
My upbringing and past taught me how to love and connect with others.
There is a power or higher force that we cannot control but can find solace in.
I have respect and admiration for the person who has influenced me so deeply.
Things will become easier once we've overcome certain obstacles.
In the aftermath of a disaster or tragedy.
Referring to the black community and the beauty of darker skin tones.
Going underwater.
Represents makeshift arrangements that still offer a sense of stability.
Taking risks and enjoying life, despite the danger.
The inspiration and influence of those older and more experienced than us.
An allusion to reincarnation, a second chance starting over.
Coming back to the surface after experiencing hardship.
Showing gratitude for the world that has allowed us to survive and thrive.
Being thankful for everything that we have and acknowledging our place in the universe.
Our environment and experiences offer an opportunity to learn and grow in order to survive.
We must persevere even when things get tough.
Reflecting on our lives and past experiences.
Referring to the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood.
Giving a shout-out to friends or individuals who have impacted their life.
Acknowledging people they love or admire.
Showing appreciation for the promise of eternal life or a legacy that will live on after death.
Preparing to take action, possibly to run or escape.
Trying to escape the pain and hardship of life through various vices or addictions.
Engaging in reckless behavior or coping through unhealthy means.
Looking for comfort or pleasure in the face of adversity.
Jokingly considering the benefits of eternal life or a lasting legacy.
Accepting that life, with all its joys and hardships, is finite and will eventually end.