… Read Full Bio ↴“Sideways” is the 13th track on Frank’s 2016 visual album, Endless.
The production on this track is credited to NY-based experimental glitch artist Nolife, who worked on the track with Frank while he was a temporary resident of the Mercer Hotel.
Sideways
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was in all 'em, I was in it
10K talkin' mid stroke
Prime prime time on my life with ya
Puttin' prime numbers up though
On em 777 flights with ya
Take a shower with it gotta cleanse it
And we finna have a minute
Outta wedlock I forgive it
And forget it
'Cause only God can forget it
All this hotel livin'
Might as well pay the mortgage
What else billing
Sucked a dick long had a swan neck
Put some real swans in the pond then
Fell asleep in the foreign
After the free show at the Garden
Let the LED row deal on em
Be the stage watchin' from the audience
Let me sell the bigger sock next week
On me on my badness
When I'm up they gon' hate
When I'm sideways, yeah, I set me straight
When I'm up they gon' hate
When I'm down they gon' celebrate
Sittin' sideways, sideways, nah, it's not too late
(Oohhhhhhh, ohhhhhhh)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
The lyrics to Frank Ocean's song "Sideways" touch on themes of success, forgiveness, and the complexities of relationships. The opening lines suggest a sense of indulgence and being fully immersed in a situation ("I was in all 'em, I was in it"). The mention of 10K talkin' mid-stroke could refer to a moment of financial success or a period of focused effort.
The line "Prime prime time on my life with ya" could indicate that the singer feels their life is at its peak when they are with this person. They also mention putting up prime numbers, which symbolize uniqueness and standing out from the crowd. The following lines mention trips on private flights, emphasizing a lavish lifestyle and moments shared together.
The lyrics take a more introspective turn with the mention of forgiveness and forgetting, acknowledging that only God can truly forget past transgressions. The mention of hotel living and paying the mortgage hints at a transient existence, perhaps due to a life of constant touring or travel. The phrases "sucked a dick long had a swan neck" and "put some real swans in the pond then" may be metaphorical, representing personal growth and transformation.
The lines "Fell asleep in the foreign / After the free show at the Garden" suggest a sense of exhaustion after a performance. The reference to being on stage and watching from the audience highlights the duality of success and the desire to continue pushing oneself.
The chorus reflects the ups and downs of fame and public perception. When the singer is up and successful, they expect hate from others, while being sideways (in a more vulnerable or uncertain position) sets them on a straighter path. The lyrics convey a sense of resilience, acknowledging that both hate and celebration are temporary and not to be taken too seriously.
Line by Line Meaning
I was in all 'em, I was in it
I was fully committed and involved in everything
10K talkin' mid stroke
Engaging in intense and valuable conversations
Prime prime time on my life with ya
Experiencing the best moments and peak times of my life with you
Puttin' prime numbers up though
Achieving significant and unique accomplishments
On em 777 flights with ya
Traveling together on luxurious and blessed journeys
Take a shower with it gotta cleanse it
Cleansing and purifying myself from negative influences
Keep the safety off in it
Taking risks and living without inhibitions
And we finna have a minute
We are about to have a great time
Outta wedlock I forgive it
I forgive the mistakes made outside of marriage
And forget it
I let go of those past errors
'Cause only God can forget it
Because only God has the power to truly forget
All this hotel livin'
Living a transient lifestyle in hotels
Might as well pay the mortgage
Spending so much time in hotels that it's like paying a mortgage
What else billing
What other expenses do I have
Sucked a dick long had a swan neck
Enduring difficult and unfavorable situations for a long time
Put some real swans in the pond then
Transforming negative experiences into positive ones
Fell asleep in the foreign
Drifting off to sleep in an unfamiliar place
After the free show at the Garden
After performing for free at a prestigious venue
Let the LED row deal on em
Allowing the LED lights and stage effects to impress the audience
Be the stage watchin' from the audience
Observing the stage and performer from the perspective of the audience
Let me sell the bigger sock next week
Allow me to achieve even greater success in the future
On me on my badness
I take responsibility for my flaws and mistakes
When I'm up they gon' hate
When I am successful, people will resent me
When I'm sideways, yeah, I set me straight
In times of confusion or uncertainty, I find my own direction
When I'm up they gon' hate
When I am successful, people will resent me
When I'm down they gon' celebrate
When I am struggling, people will rejoice in my misfortune
Sittin' sideways, sideways, nah, it's not too late
Approaching life from a different perspective, it is never too late to change
Oohhhhhhh, ohhhhhhh
Expressing emotions and feelings
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
An affirmation or agreement
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Christopher Edwin Breaux
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Gumpest0529
[Intro]
Woo! (Woo, woo)
Woo! Highs and lows (Highs, highs)
Highs, lows (Highs and lows)
Highs, woo!
[Verse]
I was in all them hours in it
10K, tokin' mid strokes
Prime, prime time of my life witcha
Puttin' prime numbers up though
On them 7-7-7 flights witcha
Take a shower wit' it, gotta cleanse it
Keep the safety off innit
Now we finna have a mini
Outta wedlock, God forgive it, then forget it
'Cause only God can forget it
All this hotel living
Might as well pay the mortgage, what I'm spending
Said the dick long as a swan neck
Put some real swans in the pond then
Fell asleep in the foreign
After the free show at The Garden
Let the LED roll Deer Hunter
Leave the stage, watch it from the audience
Bet we sell the bickets out next week
On me, on my bodness
[Chorus]
When I'm up, they gon' hate
When I'm sideways, yeah, I set me straight
When I'm up, they gon' hate
When I'm down, they gon' celebrate
Sittin' sideways, too sideways
Nah, it's not too late
@add69420
1st time hearing this and my god it slaps🔥
@brax08224
wanted to really thank you for your endless uploads, i appreciate them man
@messeriness03
sadly, comme des garcons and deatwhis took down by youtube, but you can watch the whole visual album original version.
@brax08224
@@messeriness03 all good. i know they rare
@turnthonkee
seconded mane. i have an upload of the album that immediately got claimed, but YT makes it impossible to spin ur own vids if they're blocked. preciate this!
@Worthy_NFL
I’m so pissed this album is practically unknown
@londiwenkosinathi4755
I love it that it’s unknown
@Gumpest0529
[Intro]
Woo! (Woo, woo)
Woo! Highs and lows (Highs, highs)
Highs, lows (Highs and lows)
Highs, woo!
[Verse]
I was in all them hours in it
10K, tokin' mid strokes
Prime, prime time of my life witcha
Puttin' prime numbers up though
On them 7-7-7 flights witcha
Take a shower wit' it, gotta cleanse it
Keep the safety off innit
Now we finna have a mini
Outta wedlock, God forgive it, then forget it
'Cause only God can forget it
All this hotel living
Might as well pay the mortgage, what I'm spending
Said the dick long as a swan neck
Put some real swans in the pond then
Fell asleep in the foreign
After the free show at The Garden
Let the LED roll Deer Hunter
Leave the stage, watch it from the audience
Bet we sell the bickets out next week
On me, on my bodness
[Chorus]
When I'm up, they gon' hate
When I'm sideways, yeah, I set me straight
When I'm up, they gon' hate
When I'm down, they gon' celebrate
Sittin' sideways, too sideways
Nah, it's not too late
@IsaiahManewitz
best. song. ever.
@PushinPierce
HARD