Thinking About You by Frank Ocean Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Complexities of Love and Memory
Lyrics
Excuse the mess it made, it usually doesn’t rain
In Southern California, much like Arizona
My eyes don’t shed tears, but, boy, they bawl
When I’m thinkin’ ’bout you
(Ooh, no, no, no)
I’ve been thinkin’ ’bout you
(You know, know, know)
I’ve been thinkin’ ’bout you
Do you think about me still?
Do ya, do ya?
Or do you not think so far ahead? (Ahead)
‘Cause I been thinkin’ ’bout forever (Oooh, oooh)
Or do you not think so far ahead? (Ahead)
‘Cause I been thinkin’ ’bout forever (Oooh, oooh)
No, I don’t like you, I just thought you were cool
Enough to kick it
Got a beach house I could sell you in Idaho
Since you think I don’t love you, I just thought you were cute
That’s why I kiss you
Got a fighter jet, I don’t get fly it, though
I’m lyin’ down thinkin’ ’bout you
(Ooh, no, no, no)
I’ve been thinkin’ ’bout you
(You know, know, know)
I’ve been thinkin’ ’bout you
Do you think about me still?
Do ya, do ya?
Or do you not think so far ahead? (Ahead)
‘Cause I been thinkin’ ’bout forever (Oooh, oooh)
Or do you not think so far ahead? (Ahead)
‘Cause I been thinkin’ ’bout forever (Oooh, oooh)
Yes, of course
I remember, how could I forget?
How you feel?
And though you were my first time
A new feel
It won’t ever get old, not in my soul
Not in my spirit, keep it alive
We’ll go down this road
‘Til it turns from color to black and white
Or do you not think so far ahead? (Ahead)
‘Cause I been thinkin’ ’bout forever (Oooh, oooh)
Or do you not think so far ahead? (Ahead)
‘Cause I been thinkin’ ’bout forever (Oooh, oooh)
Frank Ocean’s ‘Thinking About You’ is more than just a track; it’s an introspective journey that delves into the complexities of love and memory. With its smooth rhythm and Ocean’s soulful vocals, the song has resonated with listeners worldwide, becoming one of his most beloved creations.
Yet, beyond its melancholic melody lies a labyrinth of meaning ready to be dissected. The lyrics probe into Ocean’s ponderings on past love, the nature of attraction, and the ethereal concept of time within relationships. Let’s sail into the depths of ‘Thinking About You’ and explore the rich tapestry of emotions it weaves.
A Tale of Unsettled Weather and Unsettled Hearts
The opening lines of ‘Thinking About You’ transport listeners to a scene of disarray — a ‘tornado’ that disrupts the typical tranquility of Southern California. This metaphor sets the stage for a narrative of emotional turmoil; the entrance of someone special has upended the protagonist’s internal world, akin to the rare chaos of a storm in a usually serene landscape.
Through these lyrics, Ocean artfully connects the unpredictable forces of weather to the unpredictable nature of human feelings. Just as we cannot control the weather, we often find ourselves at the mercy of our emotions — especially when it involves someone we care deeply about.
The Eternal Echos of Love’s First Time
As Ocean reminisces about a significant ‘first time,’ the song opens up a dialogue on the enduring impact of first loves. These encounters may be fleeting in the grand timeline of one’s life, but their imprint is indelible, ‘a new feel’ that never ages, forever coloring our perspective on love and intimacy.
Indeed, ‘Thinking About You’ speaks to the soul’s tender tendency to ‘keep it alive,’ to hold on to these moments of initial connection. Whether joyous or painful, they shape our very essence, charting a course on the ‘road’ of our emotional development.
The Prophetically Painful Question: ‘Do you think about me still?’
Perhaps one of the song’s most gripping lines, this question is a plea for reciprocity. It’s here that Ocean’s vulnerability shines through, exposing the anxiety of wondering if one’s affection is mirrored in the thoughts of the other person.
This yearning for mutual reminiscence is a universal human experience, a raw nerve many of us have felt but might be hesitant to acknowledge. Ocean puts to words an often unspoken fear — the possibility that we might be alone in our preoccupation with a lost connection.
Idle Thoughts or Prophetic Love? The Two Faces of ‘Forever’
Ocean’s repetition of ‘thinking ’bout forever’ oscillates between dreamy hope and poignant reality. To the listener, ‘forever’ can represent a wishful aspiration or a haunting reminder of what cannot be.
This conflicting interpretation showcases Ocean’s lyrical prowess, as he deftly captures the dual nature of reflection — we are at once aspirants of an eternal love and reluctant acceptors of its improbability.
The Enigma Wrapped in Metaphors: Uncovering the Song’s Hidden Meaning
Frank Ocean envelops listeners in metaphors. The ‘beach house in Idaho’ and ‘fighter jet’ are hyperboles that suggest an unreachable, almost fantastical idealization of romance and leisure. Both constructs serve to illustrate the difference between the narrator’s internal perception and the reality of love’s disposition.
These exaggerated scenarios may reflect a guarded heart’s tongue-in-cheek commentary, diverting attention from the deeper confession of love and embedding Ocean’s truest feelings within layers of lyrical irony.
