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, βItβs Smooth Ass Music About Bitches, Relationships And Being A Rich Young Niggaβ¦But In A Swagged Out Way.β
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.
She Won't Say Hello
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whole school already knew what it was
Kiddy crushing, puppy loving, no
Ah, you are my high school wifey
College made it different
I stayed at home and you didn't
You got a scholarship to Michigan State
Drove my heart two-thousand miles away
Missing, wishing she would call
And say hello, say hello i'm in the zone
Readjusting to the fact she's been gone
And I'm alone, I'm alone
Can't play the same songs in my car
Oh no cause she ain't on the passenger
The passenger
And I can't even play Madden any more
Oh no because I can't pass to her
Pass to her
She won't say hello, hello, hello
She won't say hello, hello, hello
Nah, nah, she won't
My best friend
Wish I could have went with her
Can't afford to visit her let alone stay
But I wanna, I really wanna
Oh, we did everything together
Now I'm missing all the silly shit
The way she bit her bottom
Lip after we kissed
I'm x-ing off the calendar days
I'm praying, oh, you come back again
And now I sit at home, next to the phone
Missing, wishing she would call
And say hello, say hello i'm in the zone
Readjusting to the fact she's been gone
And I'm alone, I'm alone
Can't play the same songs in my car
Oh no cause she ain't on the passenger
The passenger
And I can't even play Madden any more
Oh no because I can't pass to her
Pass to her
My baby (baby) , what am I to do without her?
Whoa I've been losing patience calling her
And now I sit at home, next to the phone
Missing, wishing she would call
And say hello, say hello i'm in the zone
Readjusting to the fact she's been gone
And I'm alone, I'm alone
Can't play the same songs in my car
Oh no cause she ain't on the passenger
The passenger
And I can't even play Madden any more
Oh no because I can't pass to her
Pass to her
She won't say hello, hello, hello
She won't say hello, hello, hello
Nah, nah, she won't
The lyrics of Frank Ocean's "She Won't Say Hello" explore the singer's longing and nostalgia for a past relationship. The song appears to be about a close friendship turned romantic relationship that began in high school. The first verse reminisces about the innocence and simplicity of their early days together, highlighting the strong bond they shared. However, when college came around, their paths diverged as the singer stayed home while their partner received a scholarship to attend Michigan State University. This physical distance and the absence of their partner in their life create a sense of loneliness and longing for their presence.
The chorus reflects the singer's feelings of isolation and frustration that come from not being able to connect with their former partner. They can't play the same songs or enjoy the same activities because their partner isn't physically present. The references to Madden (a popular football video game) emphasize the loss of connection and the feeling of missing out. The repetition of "she won't say hello" in the chorus reinforces the idea that their partner is distant, uncommunicative, and inaccessible.
The second verse further illustrates the singer's yearning for their partner and the sense of loss they feel. They express a desire to be with their partner, even if they can't afford to visit or stay with them at college. The lyrics highlight the small, intimate moments they shared together, like the way their partner bit their bottom lip after a kiss. The mention of x-ing off calendar days and praying for their return suggests that the singer is counting down the days until they can reunite.
Overall, "She Won't Say Hello" depicts the singer's emotional struggle with the separation from their partner and the longing for connection and companionship.
Line by Line Meaning
My best friend what was cooler than us?
We were the coolest pair, no one could match us.
Whole school already knew what it was
Everyone in the school recognized our unique bond.
Kiddy crushing, puppy loving, no
We had an innocent and pure love, akin to childhood crushes and puppy love.
Ah, you are my high school wifey
You were like a wife to me during our high school years.
College made it different
Things changed when we went to college.
I stayed at home and you didn't
I chose to stay at home while you went away for college.
You got a scholarship to Michigan State
You earned a scholarship and went to Michigan State University.
Drove my heart two-thousand miles away
Your physical distance from me felt like my heart being separated by two thousand miles.
And now I sit at home, next to the phone
I spend my time at home, sitting next to the phone, waiting for your call.
Missing, wishing she would call
I long for your call and I wish you would reach out to me.
And say hello, say hello, I'm in the zone
I hope you would call and say hello, letting me know you're in a good place.
Readjusting to the fact she's been gone
I'm trying to adapt to the reality of you being gone from my life.
And I'm alone, I'm alone
I feel lonely without you by my side.
Can't play the same songs in my car
I can't enjoy listening to our favorite songs in my car anymore.
Oh no cause she ain't on the passenger
Because you're not there beside me as my passenger.
And I can't even play Madden anymore
I can't even play the video game Madden anymore.
Oh no because I can't pass to her
I can't pass the ball to your in-game character.
She won't say hello, hello, hello
You refuse to greet me and reach out to me.
Nah, nah, she won't
No, you won't.
Wish I could have went with her
I wish I could have gone with you.
Can't afford to visit her let alone stay
I don't have the financial means to visit you, let alone stay with you.
But I wanna, I really wanna
But I want to, I really want to be with you.
Oh, we did everything together
We used to do everything together.
Now I'm missing all the silly shit
Now I miss all the silly things we used to do together.
The way she bit her bottom lip after we kissed
I remember the way you bit your bottom lip after we kissed.
I'm x-ing off the calendar days
I'm marking off the days on the calendar, waiting for your return.
I'm praying, oh, you come back again
I'm praying and hoping that you will come back to me again.
My baby (baby), what am I to do without her?
My beloved, how can I live without you?
Whoa I've been losing patience calling her
I'm losing patience as I keep calling you.
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Desttinyy
This cover is ridiculous..I don't even have the original on my ipod..I HAVE THIS!
@TheBrazilybrazily
I instantly froze up when i heard your voice. It is so captivating.
@michaelsvr6
This song is the hardest to find. Well the cover will just do 2023
@icysparks0003
still lovin this song man !!!
@delajeezy2765
9 years later , still one of my fav covers lmao
@Danielamtz54
OMGOSH I LOVEEEEE YOU! your voice <3 ahhhh & your cute too! ;p ahhh your perfect!!! Best Frank Ocean cover I've heard so far !
@toocuteejohnson
PLEASE PUT MORE VIDEOS UP! looove him!
@renemunya7258
Best accapella Cover, man you got skills !!
@12gt13
I love this version.
@icysparks0003
he is everything !!!!