Jay explains the meaning behind the song. “It sounds like a celebration of where we are now on some big yacht, throwing champagne in the water,” he tells Rick Rubin. “But the undertow of the thing is that this is the same water that brought us here originally as slaves, so it has this whole duality and even how we re-write history, the stories we were told about the history of America.”
Jay is referring to the Atlantic Ocean and the Trans-Atlantic slave trade which forcibly brought over 10 million Africans to America and the Caribbean.
Oceans
JAY Z Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see elephant tusk on the bow of a sailing lady
Docked on the Ivory Coast
Mercedes in a row winding down the road
I hope my black skin don't dirt this white tuxedo
Before the Basquiat show and if so
Well fuck it, fuck it
This water mixed my blood
This water tells my story
This water knows it all
Go ahead and spill some champagne in the water
Go ahead and watch the sun blaze
On the waves of the ocean
Dope boy still smelling like cocaina
White boat, white robe
Can he be more cleaner
The oil spill that BP ain't clean up
I'm anti-Santa Maria
Only Christopher we acknowledge is Wallace
I don't even like Washingtons in my pocket
Black card go hard when I'm shopping
Boat dock in front of Hermes picking cotton
Silk and fleeces, lay on my Jesus
Oh my God, I hope y'all don't get seasick
See me in shit you never saw
If it wasn't for these pictures they wouldn't see me at all
Aww, whole world's in awe
I crash through glass ceilings, I break through closed doors
I'm on the ocean, I'm in heaven
Yachting, Ocean 11
Elephant tusk on the bow of a sailing lady
Docked on the Ivory Coast
Mercedes in a row winding down the road
I hope my black skin don't dirt this white tuxedo
Before the Basquiat show and if so
Well fuck it, fuck it
Because this water drown my family
This water mixed my blood
This water tells my story
This water knows it all
Go ahead and spill some champagne in the water
Go ahead and watch the sun blaze
On the waves of the ocean
Me and Ty Ty is like Pablo and Popeye
Winding dirt roads on mopeds spilling Opus
Welcome to the magnum opus
The Magna Carta
The best-selling author Decoded
On the holiday playing "Strange Fruit"
If I'mma make it to a billi I can't take the same route
Swoosh, that's the sound of the border
Swoosh, and that's the sound of a baller
Muhammad Hovi my back against the rope
The black Maybach, I'm back inside the boat
Shepard Fairey they finally gave me some hope
Can't believe they got a nigga to vote
Democrat, nope, I sold dope
In trouble waters I had to learn how to float
On the ocean, I'm in heaven
Yachting, Ocean 11
Elephant tusk on the bow of a sailing lady
Docked on the Ivory Coast
Mercedes in a row winding down the road
I hope my black skin don't dirt this white tuxedo
Before the Basquiat show and if so
Well fuck it, fuck it
Because this water drown my family
This water mixed my blood
This water tells my story
This water knows it all
Go ahead and spill some champagne in the water
Go ahead and watch the sun blaze
On the waves of the ocean
The lyrics to Jay Z feat. Frank Ocean's "Oceans" paint a vivid picture of opulence and wealth juxtaposed with the somber reality of being a black man in the face of historical oppression. The recurring "elephant tusk on the bow of a sailing lady" and "Mercedes in a row" represent the extravagance and excess of the elite, while Jay Z's "black skin" and the "trouble waters" he's had to navigate add a layer of complexity to this glamorous lifestyle. The line "Before the Basquiat show" also alludes to the late artist's own struggles with racism, poverty, and addiction, further underscoring the contradictory themes of the song.
Frank Ocean's haunting chorus is a meditation on the power of water - the same element that connects the lavish yachts and the tragic history Jay Z alludes to. The water has "mixed [Jay Z's] blood" and "drowned [his] family," serving as a reminder of the African diaspora and forced displacement of black people. Yet at the same time, the water "knows it all" and bears witness to the beauty and pain of the world.
Overall, "Oceans" is a meditation on the complexities of wealth, power, and identity, inviting the listener to ponder the connections between the past and the present, the personal and the political.
Line by Line Meaning
Blessings, blessings yeah
Expressing gratitude and recognition of good things in life.
I see elephant tusk on the bow of a sailing lady
Observing a scene of luxury and opulence.
Docked on the Ivory Coast
The ship is anchored near the coastal region of West Africa.
Mercedes in a row winding down the road
Luxury cars driving on a winding road near the water body.
I hope my black skin don't dirt this white tuxedo
Wearing a white tuxedo, hoping not to stain it with dirt or spillage.
Before the Basquiat show and if so
Presumably before an art exhibition featuring works by Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Well fuck it, fuck it
Dismissing the fear of spoiling the attire with a defeatist attitude.
Because this water drown my family
Referencing the tragic history of slavery and the Middle Passage that drowned many Africans.
This water mixed my blood
Reflecting on the shared ancestry and struggle of the African diaspora.
This water tells my story
Water as a metaphor for the history and memory of the African people.
This water knows it all
Water as a symbol of knowledge and wisdom encompassing the collective experience.
Go ahead and spill some champagne in the water
Celebrating and acknowledging the collective struggles and triumphs of the black community.
Go ahead and watch the sun blaze
Appreciating the beauty and majesty of nature.
On the waves of the ocean
Experiencing the freedom and joy of sailing on the water.
Dope boy still smelling like cocaina
Alluding to the drug trade and the negative stereotypes of black men in society.
White boat, white robe
Describing a scene of more luxury and opulence.
Can he be more cleaner
Rhetorical question on how to maintain cleanliness amidst luxury.
The oil spill that BP ain't clean up
Critiquing the environmental impact of oil companies such as BP.
I'm anti-Santa Maria
Rejecting the harmful legacy of colonialism and its myths.
Only Christopher we acknowledge is Wallace
Honoring and recognizing the legacy of rapper The Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace).
I don't even like Washingtons in my pocket
Rejecting the value of small, insignificant amounts of money.
Black card go hard when I'm shopping
Boasting about having a black credit card with high spending limit.
Boat dock in front of Hermes picking cotton
Calling attention to the dark history of slavery and the luxury brands that were involved in it.
Silk and fleeces, lay on my Jesus
Luxurious fabrics and materials adorn him, like a deity.
Oh my God, I hope y'all don't get seasick
Humorous remark acknowledging the excess and extravagance on display.
See me in shit you never saw
Displaying rare and unique possessions that most people have never seen.
If it wasn't for these pictures they wouldn't see me at all
Recognizing the value of image and media in shaping one's public persona and career.
Aww, whole world's in awe
Acknowledging the fame and attention he receives, often evoking admiration or envy.
I crash through glass ceilings, I break through closed doors
Overcoming barriers and obstacles to achieve success, often through bold and daring actions.
Me and Ty Ty is like Pablo and Popeye
Referencing the fictional characters of Pablo Escobar and Popeye from the TV show Narcos, comparing their partnership to his own with his friend Ty Ty.
Winding dirt roads on mopeds spilling Opus
Painting a picture of driving around on rural roads, possibly indulging in alcohol.
Welcome to the magnum opus
Welcoming the listener to a masterpiece or the pinnacle of creative achievement.
The Magna Carta
Referencing Jay Z's album Magna Carta Holy Grail.
The best-selling author Decoded
Referring to his own book Decoded, in which he explains the meaning behind his lyrics.
On the holiday playing 'Strange Fruit'
Referencing the song 'Strange Fruit' by Billie Holiday, which addresses the issue of lynching.
If I'mma make it to a billi I can't take the same route
Discussing his ambition and strategy for achieving billion-dollar status, avoiding repeating the typical path to success.
Swoosh, that's the sound of the border
Alluding to the sound of a basketball shot and comparing it to crossing borders and boundaries.
Swoosh, and that's the sound of a baller
Playing on the double meaning of 'baller' as someone who plays basketball and someone who is wealthy and extravagant.
Muhammad Hovi my back against the rope
Comparing himself to boxer Muhammad Ali, facing challenges and adversity in his career.
The black Maybach, I'm back inside the boat
Returning to luxury and opulence.
Shepard Fairey they finally gave me some hope
Referencing the artist Shepard Fairey and likely referring to some artistic collaboration or support.
Can't believe they got a nigga to vote
Reflecting on the historic significance of an African American being elected to office, possibly referencing Obama's presidency.
Democrat, nope, I sold dope
Acknowledging his past involvement with drug dealing and rejection of political affiliations.
In trouble waters I had to learn how to float
Surviving and overcoming hardships and challenges.
On the ocean, I'm in heaven
Expressing feelings of freedom and joy on the water.
Yachting, Ocean 11
Alluding to the movie Ocean's Eleven and the luxurious lifestyle of yachting with a group of friends or associates.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Christopher Breaux, Pharrell Williams, Shawn Carter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kerryprescott4522
Reading the comments and I'm so happy that I'm not the only one you truly understands the meaning. I will always return to this masterpiece.
@Trivial611
Can't stop listening to this, just can't.
@moonbrickmotion9425
The buildup at the end is unbelievable
@ShessvyKelly
These water drowned my family. this water mixed my blood this water tells my story because this water knows it all.. NOW that is the truest thing I've ever heard anyone speak...
@cerealkiller97
Frank Ocean is amazing - anything he does he puts 100% into it.
@roshaadcarroll
jay-z is the deepest artist out no question the message in the message
@danmaverick5858
Jay Z be kicking that real rap.....Too Deep this album went over a lot of people's head ...But it hit home to those who understand.... #Salute
@TheTravieso213
Here in 2023 reading this
@NicoleAC-PhD
That's right. I can't listen to This song without getting In My feelings.
@damiensteele7300
Bars of intelligence and pure genius