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.
Wake Up
Frank Ocean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turquoise, ocean green, hurricane silver, yeah
I'm falling, down a well
Wish you were the water there
Just like a sun without a flame
Fell asleep without a dream
I saw the light fade
I let it drift away
Gravity won't hold my feet
(How'd I let my love breathe?)
I saw my life flash by the very minute
Saw my lightning, click, click, click
In a little glass bottle
Said I saw my life flash by that very instant
Saw my lighting, click, click, click
In a little glass bottle
Got to save, save me
I know you see me fall
I know you've come to die
Save, save me
My love is in the glass
My life is in that bottle
Wake up (just tell me that's it's all in my head)
Wake up (remind me that you're still in my bed)
Wake up (the thought of sleeping in my arms again)
Wake up I'm in emerald city, looking for Wizard Oz
Maybe he could tell me the way
To your heart again
I click my J's three times wishing she would've stayed
And then I thought I put her on a plane
Found a diamond for your ring
The crows on Saturn, then I'm back in L.A
I woke up, she ain't there
Levitating off the mattress
Baby where you at?
I said, oh, baby where you at?
I saw my life flash by the very minute
Saw my lightning, click, click, click
In a little glass bottle
Said I saw my life flash by that very instant
Saw my lighting, click, click, click
In a little glass bottle
Got to save, save me
I know you see me fall
I know you've come to die
Save, save me
My love is in the glass
My life is in that bottle
Wake up (just tell me that's it's all in my head)
Wake up (remind me that you're still in my bed)
Wake up (the thought of sleeping in my arms again)
Wake up It's just a dream
The lyrics of Wake Up by Frank Ocean describe the feeling of falling through a well and seeing different colors, and wishing for someone to save the singer - who is lost, alone and searching for love. The use of colors such as turquoise, ocean green, and hurricane silver highlights the vivid images that appear in the singer’s dream. The lyrics also touch on the themes of loneliness, emptiness, and searching for oneself. The singer is unable to find happiness or love and feels like they are floating, disconnected from everything around them. The singer wishes to be woken up from this dream and reminded of the reality of their life.
The lyrics can be interpreted as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of love and how easily one can feel lost when love is not present. The glass bottle in which the singer sees their life and love represents fragility and how easily love can be broken or lost.
The repetitive nature of the lyrics "Wake up" emphasizes the singer’s desire to be woken up from this dream and to be reminded of reality. The lyrics also hint at the idea of the Wizard of Oz, symbolizing the search for answers and salvation from one's struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a, just a, just a dream From my Lou's I'm seeing colors
I am dreaming and seeing vivid colors
Turquoise, ocean green, hurricane silver, yeah
The colors I see are specific shades of green and silver
I'm falling, down a well Wish you were the water there
In my dream, I'm falling and I wish you were there to catch me
Just like a sun without a flame Fell asleep without a dream
I feel empty and didn’t dream while asleep
I saw the light fade I let it drift away
I am losing hope and letting it slip away
I'm in that air and it's hard to breathe Gravity won't hold my feet (How'd I let my love breathe?)
I'm feeling weightless and suffocated simultaneously and wondering how I let my love slip away
I saw my life flash by the very minute Saw my lightning, click, click, click In a little glass bottle Said I saw my life flash by that very instant Saw my lighting, click, click, click In a little glass bottle Got to save, save me I know you see me fall I know you've come to die Save, save me My love is in the glass My life is in that bottle
I'm reflecting on my life and feel like I'm trapped in a bottle. I need saving and my love and life are in need of rescue
Wake up (just tell me that's it's all in my head) Wake up (remind me that you're still in my bed) Wake up (the thought of sleeping in my arms again) Wake up I'm in emerald city, looking for Wizard Oz Maybe he could tell me the way To your heart again I click my J's three times wishing she would've stayed And then I thought I put her on a plane Found a diamond for your ring The crows on Saturn, then I'm back in L.A I woke up, she ain't there Levitating off the mattress Baby where you at? I said, oh, baby where you at?
I wake up from my dream and wish it was all in my head. I'm searching for a way to reconnect with my lost love and recall our moments together. Even though I thought I put her on a plane, I'm back where I started levitating and wondering where she is
Contributed by Tyler W. 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.