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.
Scared of Beautiful
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me talk to you
See that light bulb, does something to you
Makes it a little harder to tell a lie don't it?
Make it difficult to run and hide don't it?
Tell the truth to me, good truth to me
Come close to me if that's you
I wanna see the details inside those beautiful eyes
Myself ain't never talked to me like that before (No)
I wonder what on earth he's searching for
No wonder why there's no mirrors on these walls no more
You can't tell me why you're so terrified of beautiful
Scared of the good more than the evil
Scared of the light more than the dark
Scared of the truth so much more than the lie
I'm scared for you
I'm scared of you
Just turn the lamp down
Don't talk to me
That light bulb, took something from me
Or gave something to me
I can't decide, I can't decide
Took freedom, gave purpose
Can't blend in, too perfect
All this beauty ever gave me was a reason for some beautiful lies
Myself ain't never talked to me like that before (No)
I wonder what on earth he's searching for
No wonder why there's no mirrors on these walls no more
You can't tell me why you're so terrified of beautiful
Scared of the good more than the evil
Scared of the light more than the dark
Scared of the truth so much more than the lie
I'm scared for you
I'm scared of you
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Who is the fairest of them all
Mirror, mirror oh you're so unfair to all of the beautiful ones
No wonder why there's no mirrors on these walls no more
You can't tell me why you're so terrified of beautiful
Scared of the good more than the evil
Scared of the light more than the dark
Scared of the truth so much more than the lie
I'm scared for you
I'm scared of you
In "Scared of Beautiful”, Frank Ocean suggests that beauty is a double-edged sword. The song begins with a request to turn on a light, which might symbolize courage or the recognition of truth - difficult to overlook when it is exposed. It makes it a little harder to hide or tell a lie, but at the same time, it tests the vulnerability inherent in honesty. He urges his subject to tell the truth and not be scared to get closer as he wants to see the details inside those beautiful eyes.
Then, in the chorus, the artist wonders why his friend is so Scared of Beautiful. He contemplates why they're more afraid of good than evil. The underlying message could be that beauty naturally gives birth to lies as people aspire to keep up the image. It is not surprising when there are no mirrors on these walls anymore; mirrors serve as a reflection not only of our outer selves but also of our inner selves. Not being able to see themselves could signify not truly knowing who they are anymore because of the constant lies they tell. The song concludes with another reference to mirrors, repeating the message that his friend is scared of beauty, light, and truth, all of which could lead to the uncovering of hidden truths.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn a lamp on
Illuminate the room, let the conversation begin.
Let me talk to you
Allow me to express myself.
See that light bulb, does something to you
The presence of light may elicit certain emotions.
Makes it a little harder to tell a lie don't it?
The truth is easier to embrace when exposed in the light.
Make it difficult to run and hide don't it?
Transparency prevents people from hiding their true selves.
Tell the truth to me, good truth to me
Be honest with me, completely honest.
Come close to me if that's you
If you're genuine, show it.
I wanna see the details inside those beautiful eyes
I want to know more about you beyond your outer beauty.
The lies
The falsehoods that people often use to hide their true selves.
Myself ain't never talked to me like that before (No)
I have never been this honest with myself before.
I wonder what on earth he's searching for
I'm curious about what I'm looking for inside myself.
No wonder why there's no mirrors on these walls no more
There are no mirrors because people are afraid to see their true selves.
You can't tell me why you're so terrified of beautiful
You can't explain your fear of beauty to me.
Scared of the good more than the evil
You fear the good more than you fear the bad.
Scared of the light more than the dark
You fear the truth more than you fear lies.
Scared of the truth so much more than the lie
You are more afraid of the truth than you are of deception.
I'm scared for you
I worry about you and your fear of honesty.
I'm scared of you
Your fear is intense and it affects me too.
Just turn the lamp down
Dim the light, end the conversation.
Don't talk to me
Stop talking to me, don't share your truth.
That light bulb, took something from me
The light exposed something in me that I wasn't ready to confront.
Or gave something to me
The light provided an opportunity for me to grow.
I can't decide, I can't decide
I'm caught between these opposing emotions.
Took freedom, gave purpose
The light exposed my flaws but also gave me direction.
Can't blend in, too perfect
The light forces me to stand out, to be seen as different.
All this beauty ever gave me was a reason for some beautiful lies
Being beautiful encouraged others to lie to me and use me for their own benefit.
Mirror, mirror on the wall
The singer addresses the mirror as if it could reveal their true self.
Who is the fairest of them all
The artist desires to know who they truly are.
Mirror, mirror oh you're so unfair to all of the beautiful ones
The mirror is unfair in that it reflects the outer beauty and fails to show the inner beauty.
I'm scared for you
I worry about your inability to confront your true self.
I'm scared of you
Your fear of beauty and truth intimidates me too.
Writer(s): Christopher Breaux, Waynne Jason Nugent, Tim Stewart, Kevin John Risto, Lamont Derelle Neuble, Charles Gambetta
Contributed by Sydney T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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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.