Oceans
Jay-Z/JAY Z Featuring 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
In Jay-Z and Frank Ocean's song "Oceans," the duo explores the idea of wealth and the cost that comes with it. The song opens with a mention of "elephant tusk" on the "bow of a sailing lady" docked on the Ivory Coast. The scene is a reflection of wealth and luxury. The Mercedes in a row winding down the road, and the white tuxedo dress code reinforces this imagery. However, Jay Z expresses apprehension that his black skin might "dirt" the white tuxedo before the Basquiat show. The juxtaposition here is palpable, highlighting that African Americans' access to certain spaces and opportunities is often limited.
Through the next few lines, Jay Z reveals the cost of wealth. He speaks about how the water drowned his family and mixed his blood. This water tells his story and knows it all. In many ways, the cost of wealth has been the history of his family and the black community. He encourages people to spill some champagne into the water and watch the sun blaze on the ocean's waves. The imagery here is both beautiful and ominous - it is beautiful to watch a beautiful sunset, but the reality is that we are spilling champagne into water, which could be a metaphor for excessive enjoyment at the expense of the environment.
Jay-Z continues to explore his views on wealth through the song. He speaks about smelling like cocaine and being anti-Santa Maria. He doesn't respect the colonialism that has shaped our world and only remembers Christopher Wallace. Jay Z also speaks about breaking closed doors and crashing through glass ceilings, emphasizing that his success has been hard earned. The song's repeated lines signal a call to action to acknowledge the past and fight for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Blessings, blessings yeah
Expressing gratitude and acknowledging the good things in life.
I see elephant tusk on the bow of a sailing lady
Observing a luxurious ship adorned with valuable and rare items.
Docked on the Ivory Coast
The ship is moored on the coast of West Africa.
Mercedes in a row winding down the road
A line of luxury cars driving along the coastal road.
I hope my black skin don't dirt this white tuxedo
Expressing concern that his skin color may stain his formal attire.
Before the Basquiat show and if so
Referring to the art exhibition featuring Jean-Michel Basquiat's work.
Well fuck it, fuck it
Dismissing his worries and deciding to enjoy himself.
Because this water drown my family
Referencing the history of slavery and oppression of Black people through the transatlantic slave trade.
This water mixed my blood
The water holds a significant part of his personal and cultural history.
This water tells my story
The ocean is a symbol of the rich and complex history of Black people.
This water knows it all
The ocean is a witness and repository of the legacy of slavery and Black history.
Go ahead and spill some champagne in the water
Celebrating and paying tribute to the sea that holds so much significance to him and his community.
Go ahead and watch the sun blaze
Appreciating the beauty and grandeur of nature and the sea.
On the waves of the ocean
Enjoying the sensation of being on the water and experiencing the ocean's power and majesty.
Dope boy still smelling like cocaina
Acknowledging his past and the drug dealing lifestyle he once lived.
White boat, white robe
Describing his attire and the luxurious boat he is on.
Can he be more cleaner
Reflecting on his image and striving for perfection.
The oil spill that BP ain't clean up
Alluding to the environmental damage caused by oil spills and criticizing corporations for not taking responsibility.
I'm anti-Santa Maria
Rejecting the legacy of Western colonization and imperialism.
Only Christopher we acknowledge is Wallace
Paying homage to the late rapper The Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace) and his legacy.
I don't even like Washingtons in my pocket
Preferring to hold large denominations of cash and rejecting the symbolism of George Washington.
Black card go hard when I'm shopping
Boasting about his wealth and the exclusivity of his credit card.
Boat dock in front of Hermes picking cotton
Subverting the history of cotton plantations and slavery by juxtaposing it with a luxurious brand like Hermes.
Silk and fleeces, lay on my Jesus
Reveling in his wealth and luxury, likening himself to royalty and even the son of God.
Oh my God, I hope y'all don't get seasick
Making a light-hearted joke and enjoying the luxury of being on a boat.
See me in shit you never saw
Boasting about his wealth and luxurious lifestyle.
If it wasn't for these pictures they wouldn't see me at all
Acknowledging the role of media and public image in his fame and success.
Aww, whole world's in awe
Receiving admiration and awe from people across the globe.
I crash through glass ceilings, I break through closed doors
Proudly sharing his journey of breaking barriers and succeeding despite obstacles.
Me and Ty Ty is like Pablo and Popeye
Referring to his close relationship and partnership with his business partner Ty Ty and comparing themselves to famous fictional characters.
Winding dirt roads on mopeds spilling Opus
Painting a picture of a carefree and adventurous lifestyle, traveling on mopeds and enjoying fine wine.
Welcome to the magnum opus
Inviting listeners to appreciate his own masterpiece or crowning achievement.
The Magna Carta
Referencing his 2013 album 'Magna Carta Holy Grail' which explores themes of success, wealth and power.
The best-selling author Decoded
Referring to his autobiography 'Decoded', which reveals the meaning and inspiration behind his lyrics.
On the holiday playing "Strange Fruit"
Sampling Billie Holiday's classic anti-lynching song to address the ongoing issue of police brutality and racism.
If I'mma make it to a billi I can’t take the same route
Expressing his determination to succeed and create a new path to success.
Swoosh, that's the sound of the border
Alluding to the sound of a swoosh on Nike shoes and referencing border control and immigration.
Swoosh, and that's the sound of a baller
Associating the swoosh sound with the success and wealth of an accomplished athlete or businessman.
Muhammad Hovi my back against the rope
Referencing the famous boxer Muhammad Ali and drawing a metaphor to facing challenges and adversity.
The black Maybach, I'm back inside the boat
Boasting about his luxurious black Maybach car and returning to his theme of yachting and enjoying luxury.
Shepard Fairey they finally gave me some hope
Celebrating the artwork of Shepard Fairey and finding inspiration and hope in art and creativity.
Can't believe they got a nigga to vote
Reflecting on the history of Black suffrage and celebrating the idea that even now, a Black person is capable of political agency.
Democrat, nope, I sold dope
Sharing his past experiences with drug dealing and rejecting the partisan politics of the two-party system.
In trouble waters I had to learn how to float
Enduring difficult times and learning how to survive and find success.
On the ocean, I'm in heaven
Finding peace, freedom, and joy while being on the sea.
Yachting, Ocean 11
Referencing the movie 'Ocean's Eleven' and aligning himself with the image of a suave and successful criminal.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Spirit Music Group, ST MUSIC LLC
Written by: SHAWN CARTER, PHARRELL WILLIAMS, FRANK OCEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind