Meaning of “Impietas / Deathwish (ASR)” by Frank Ocean
In Frank Ocean’s “Impietas + Deathwish (ASR)”, we’re getting a deep look into a vulnerable moment where trust and fear collide. The intro titled “Impietas” is all about questioning loyalties — Frank is wondering if the person he’s speaking to is with him or against him, showcasing a feeling of uncertainty and a desperate need for clarification.
The second part, “Deathwish,” takes us into a more vulnerable space where Frank explores the dangerous territory of trusting someone fully, to the point where it feels like a “deathwish”. He mentions being “at the mercy” of this person, indicating a deep level of trust or perhaps a fear of betrayal. It’s a raw, vulnerable lyric that pulls us into an intimate moment of doubt, trust, and the complex emotions that come with being deeply involved with someone.
The repetition in the refrain kind of echoes and intensifies this feeling of vulnerability and uncertainty, emphasizing a kind of back-and-forth turmoil in his mind as he grapples with these intense feelings. It’s a heavy piece, diving deep into the sometimes scary aspects of trust and relationships.
“Is it a deathwish to doze off helpless?
Leave myself at the mercy of you
At the mercy of you
And I be needing my sleep in peace
Need to trust you
At the mercy of you”
When did Frank Ocean release “Impietas / Deathwish (ASR)”?
It came out on 19th August, 2016. It appears as the 16th track on the singer’s 2016 visual album “Endless”.
Credits
The following three individuals receive writing and production credits for this song:
- Vegyn
- Troy NōKA
- Frank Ocean
