Oceans
Jay‐Z feat. Frank Ocean Lyrics
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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 of "Oceans" is an insightful discussion on the history of slavery and exploitation of black people, seen from a modern-day perspective. Jay-Z starts off by describing the imagery of a lady's ship docked off the Ivory Coast, highlighting its elephant tusk on the bow, and a row of Mercedes winding down the road. He ponders if his black skin would taint his white tuxedo before the Basquiat show. However, the lines become more profound as he describes how the water has drowned his family, mixed his blood, and knows his story. These lines allude to the history of slavery and exploitation of blacks to enrich colonial and slave owners with not only physical labor, but also cultural and spiritual contributions. Jay-Z seems to push back against this by saying, "Fuck it" twice, indicating that he is no longer willing to remain silent about his experiences.
Jay-Z then goes on to contrast his current prosperity with the environmental destruction by big oil companies, referring to the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. He is "anti-Santa Maria," referencing the first European ships to arrive in the New World in 1492 and acknowledging only the Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace) as a hero. He states that he does "not even like the Washingtons in my pocket," alluding to the US $1 bills with George Washington that could symbolize capitalism and greed. In the following lines, he makes a reference to black history, which is important to him, for they come from hard work and struggle. He says that he is proud of his blackness in a world where society sees it as inferior.
Finally, Jay-Z mentions his lyricist partner, Ty Ty, referencing Pablo Escobar, one of the most famous drug cartels in history, and Popeye, Escobar's assistant. He talks about his book, Decoded, which became very famous among the public. The lines show that Jay-Z is trying to help young people by providing them with knowledge and wisdom, especially when it comes to money, power, and success. He concludes by saying that he is sailing in heaven, free from the troubles of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Blessings, blessings yeah
Starting with gratitude
I see elephant tusk on the bow of a sailing lady
Description of a scene with a reminder of the slave trade
Docked on the Ivory Coast
Location of the boat with the ivory tusks
Mercedes in a row winding down the road
Rich people showing off their cars on the coast
I hope my black skin don't dirt this white tuxedo
Worrying about being accepted as a black man in a white world
Before the Basquiat show and if so
Going to a Basquiat art show soon
Well fuck it, fuck it
Forget about trying to fit in
Because this water drown my family
Remembering the pain of slavery, segregation, and racism
This water mixed my blood
The ocean represents the mix of cultures and races in America
This water tells my story
The history of black people and their struggle in America
This water knows it all
The ocean is a witness to everything that has happened in history
Go ahead and spill some champagne in the water
Celebrating life and success, while acknowledging the struggles of the past
Go ahead and watch the sun blaze
Enjoying the beauty of nature
On the waves of the ocean
Embracing the power and vastness of the ocean
Dope boy still smelling like cocaina
Referring to a former life of drug dealing
White boat, white robe
Imagery of luxury and wealth
Can he be more cleaner
Questioning if he can be more successful and clean in his new life
The oil spill that BP ain't clean up
Critiquing big companies' negligence and lack of responsibility
I'm anti-Santa Maria
Rejecting the idea of celebrating Columbus and the conquistadors who oppressed indigenous people
Only Christopher we acknowledge is Wallace
Paying tribute to legendary rapper Notorious B.I.G.
I don't even like Washingtons in my pocket
Not caring about small bills, only focusing on bigger money
Black card go hard when I'm shopping
Using a black credit card to show off wealth
Boat dock in front of Hermes picking cotton
Ironically juxtaposing luxury and slavery
Silk and fleeces, lay on my Jesus
More imagery of luxury and materialism
Oh my God, I hope y'all don't get seasick
Humorous and cocky comment about his yachting lifestyle
See me in shit you never saw
Showing off his unique and exclusive lifestyle
If it wasn't for these pictures they wouldn't see me at all
Acknowledging the role of the media in shaping public perception
Aww, whole world's in awe
Reaping the rewards of his success and global recognition
I crash through glass ceilings, I break through closed doors
Breaking barriers and surpassing expectations
Me and Ty Ty is like Pablo and Popeye
Comparing himself and his friend to famous characters from history
Winding dirt roads on mopeds spilling Opus
Enjoying an adventurous and carefree lifestyle
Welcome to the magnum opus
Labeling the song as his masterpiece
The Magna Carta
Referencing the famous medieval document
The best-selling author Decoded
Promoting his own book
On the holiday playing 'Strange Fruit'
Referencing the famous protest song about racism and lynching
If I'mma make it to a billi I can't take the same route
Setting a goal to become a billionaire and acknowledging the need for change and innovation
Swoosh, that's the sound of the border
Commenting on the sound of success and accomplishment
Swoosh, and that's the sound of a baller
Using basketball imagery to describe success
Muhammad Hovi my back against the rope
Playing up his own persona as a fighter and underdog
The black Maybach, I'm back inside the boat
Ringing back to the yacht imagery
Shepard Fairey they finally gave me some hope
Thanking artist Shepard Fairey for his support and inspiration
Can't believe they got a nigga to vote
Proud of being able to vote as a black man
Democrat, nope, I sold dope
Joking about his past drug dealing and not aligning with any political party
In trouble waters I had to learn how to float
Refeering to overcoming difficult challeges and persevering
On the ocean, I'm in heaven
Finding peace and happiness on the ocean
Yachting, Ocean 11
More references to yachting and the movie Ocean's Eleven
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