From his highly acclaimed debut album ‘channel ORANGE’, to his most recent singles, Frank Ocean has made an indelible mark on music, becoming a musical living legend and an inspiration for many.
His music is a potent combination of emotion, power, and timelessness – and it’s time to celebrate and appreciate his incredible discography. Without further ado and in no particular order, we present the Top 10 Best Songs by Frank Ocean.
Celebrating the Music of the Iconic Frank Ocean: The Top 10 Best Songs
1. Chanel
First on the list of the best songs by Frank Ocean is “Chanel”. The song is a beautiful ode to personal freedom and individuality. The song is about learning to love and accept oneself despite external pressures to conform.
The song opens with a simple chord progression that sets a relaxed, contemplative tone. Then the lyrics become increasingly personal as Ocean reflects on his own self-doubt and insecurity: “My guy, he don’t love me no more / I’m just a second away from bein’ alone.”
The song’s chorus is a powerful declaration of self-love and independence: “I see both sides like Chanel / See on both sides like Chanel.” The reference to the iconic fashion house Chanel is a nod to the idea of breaking free from labels and accepting one’s own unique identity.
Frank Ocean’s “Chanel” is a beautiful reminder that we all deserve love, regardless of our differences. It is a testament to the power of self-acceptance and the importance of embracing our unique individuality.
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2. Novacane
Frank Ocean’s song “Novacane” is a powerful reflection on the effects of numbing oneself to the realities of life. The song paints a vivid picture of a person struggling to find meaning in life, attempting to cope by numbing themselves with alcohol and drugs.
The song speaks to the idea of using substances to cope with life’s struggles and the feelings of emptiness that come with it. The song’s narrator is in a state of despair, trying to find a way out of the darkness he feels. He sings: “Numb myself with a novocaine/Take the pain away/That’s all I wanna do/I’m so numb I can’t feel a thing.”
However, the song also speaks to the idea that numbing oneself does not ultimately bring any real relief. In the song’s bridge, the narrator sings: “The medicine never works/It never does/Just makes me more confused.”
Overall, Frank Ocean’s “Novacane” is a powerful reflection on the effects of numbing oneself to the realities of life. It speaks to the idea of using substances to cope with life’s struggles and that numbing oneself does not ultimately bring any real relief.
3. Thinkin Bout You
“Thinking Bout You” is a song by Frank Ocean, released in 2012. It is a slow-tempo, melancholic ballad that speaks to the bittersweet feeling of unrequited love.
The song opens with a simple guitar riff, setting a reflective mood. In the chorus, Frank Ocean croons out the memorable line: “I’ve been thinking bout forever, ooh no/ Or do I not know how to count?” This lyric perfectly captures the confusion of trying to hold onto a love that may not be meant to last.
The verses of the song further explore the conflicting emotions of longing and fear. Frank reflects on the uncertainty of the relationship and the pain of loving someone who may not love him back.
He sings about the heartache of not knowing what the future holds, “maybe I’m learning why I should/ Not let my heart get too invested.” In the bridge, he acknowledges that even though it’s hard to let go, it’s for the best: “We can’t be, no we can’t be, just ain’t the way it’s supposed to be.”
“Thinking Bout You” is a powerful, emotionally charged song that speaks to the universal experience of unrequited love. Frank Ocean’s voice and lyrics are raw and honest, conveying the confusion, heartache, and sadness of loving someone who may never love you back.
Don’t forget to check out our post, “The Top 20 Best Electric Guitar Players In The World” too!
4. Bad Religion
Fourth on our list of the best songs by Frank Ocean is “Bad Religion”. This song is a heartbreaking look at the struggles of being in a relationship with a partner that’s not on the same page. The song paints a vivid picture of how it feels to be in love but unable to make a relationship work because of a fundamental difference in beliefs.
The lyrics tell of a narrator in love with someone, but the person’s faith (or lack thereof) is preventing them from moving forward. The narrator is filled with pain and longing for the relationship but knows it will never be what it could be because of the difference in beliefs.
The song is filled with poignant lines such as “taxi driver be my shrink for the hour/leave reality with the door/she’s in love with forever/but forever don’t last too long.” The narrator desperately tries to escape the reality of the situation but knows that it will never last.
“Bad Religion” is a powerful exploration of the pain of unrequited love and the struggles of trying to make a relationship work when there are deep-rooted differences in beliefs.
5. Ivy
Throughout “Ivy,” Frank Ocean reflects on a past relationship and how it’s shaped him. He looks back fondly on the memories they made together while acknowledging the pain that ended the relationship.
The chorus of the song reveals that he longs to be reunited with his former partner: “I thought that I was dreaming when you said you love me.”
The song takes a reflective, melancholy tone as Ocean reflects on his own mistakes: “I should’ve stayed there, ’cause I’m the one that’s missing you.” He is left longing for what could have been and lamenting the ultimate dissolution of the relationship.
Despite the song’s sadness, Ocean is willing to accept responsibility and move forward. He sings “I still care for you.”
In the end, Ocean expresses hope for the future. He sings, “I’m ready for you,” with a sense of optimism, realizing that he has to let go of the past and look forward to the future.
6. Self Control
“Self Control” is a reflective and introspective track that paints a vivid picture of a relationship gone wrong. It starts off with Ocean singing about a failed attempt to win back the affections of a former flame.
In the chorus, he sings, “I got this new thing that I think you’ll like/Self-control, ain’t no controller of my fate.” The song is an exploration of self-love and the idea that despite feeling powerless to the whims of another, a person can still take control of their own life.
Ocean’s mellow and soulful vocals perfectly match the somber lyrics, as his voice carries a sense of longing and regret. The song is a reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do is to take control of our own destiny, even when it seems like the world is working against us.
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7. Nights
“Nights” by Frank Ocean is an introspective, reflective song about the joys and sorrows of life. It captures the ups and downs of living, the struggles and joys of growing up, and the importance of learning to appreciate the beauty in life’s moments.
The song is mainly about nostalgia and remembering the past, with lines like, “I’m not living in the past, but it’s catching up.” It conveys an intense longing and yearning for a simpler, more carefree time.
Frank Ocean uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of his childhood memories and the immense beauty he found in the simple moments. He speaks of “the stars in the night that shine like streetlights” and of “the fireflies and the buzz of the crickets” that he remembers.
In “Nights,” Frank Ocean captures the powerful emotion of looking back on the past with nostalgia and sadness. He captures the beauty of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have, no matter how small.
8. Crack Rock
Next on the list of the best songs by Frank Ocean is “Crack Rock”. The song is a haunting reflection on the effects of addiction and the cycle of drug abuse. The lyrics explore the pain that comes with being dependent on drugs and the feeling of hopelessness that can accompany it.
Throughout the song, Ocean speaks of addiction’s physical and mental struggle, painting a vivid picture of the desperation and despair associated with it. The chorus repeats the line “Crack rock steady on the rise” and serves as a reminder of the ever-present danger of drug use.
Yet, despite the bleakness of the lyrics, there is a glimmer of hope, as Ocean acknowledges that he can still find beauty in the world, even amidst the darkness of addiction.
After you’re done with this one, check out our other post, “The 10 Most Famous Sad Paintings Ever Created“.
9. Pink Matter
“Pink Matter” by Frank Ocean is a song about love and the complexity of relationships. The song starts off with an airy, smooth beat that sets the tone for the rest of the song.
The lyrics describe a relationship where the speaker is in love with someone but at the same time is struggling to understand the complexity of their feelings. The chorus, “Pink matter, pink matter, all in my brain,” speaks to the confusion the speaker is feeling.
Throughout the song, Ocean sings about how love is a powerful emotion and can bring two people together and tear them apart. He also touches on how two people can love each other and how one person’s love can be totally different from another’s.
“Pink Matter” is an emotional and thought-provoking song that speaks to the complexity of love and relationships. The lyrics remind us how important it is to take time to understand and appreciate the people we love.
10. Siegfried
And to finish off our list of the best songs by Frank Ocean is “Siegfried”, which is a song about the search for identity and purpose. The lyrics draw on various sources, from the classic German epic poem “The Nibelungenlied” to the philosophical writings of Friedrich Nietzsche. The song’s overarching theme is that life is a struggle between our desire for identity and the fact that we are constantly changing.
The song’s chorus highlights this struggle by repeating the words, “I try to find a way.” This line speaks to the idea that no matter how hard we try to define ourselves, it is impossible to truly stay the same. Ocean acknowledges this challenge as the lyrics progress and expresses his desire to find his place in the world.
The verses of the song provide additional insight into this search for identity. In the first verse, Ocean references the character of Siegfried from “The Nibelungenlied,” a poem about a hero who is destined to die in battle. This reference speaks to the idea that life is a journey and a struggle and that we must accept our fate as we try to find our place in the world.
The second verse references Friedrich Nietzsche’s ideas about the will to power. Nietzsche believed that our need to find our purpose in life is driven by a desire to be powerful and influential. This verse speaks to the idea that we are all driven by a need to make our mark on the world.
In the bridge of the song, Ocean expresses his own feelings about the struggle for identity. He acknowledges that life is a journey and that we must accept that we will never truly find ourselves. However, he also expresses his hope that he will eventually find his own identity and purpose.
And there you have it! The Top 10 best songs of Frank Ocean so far in his award-winning career. With his incredible talent and emotional depth, Frank Ocean has created some of the most captivating music of all time. From the raw and powerful “Bad Religion” to the soulful and romantic “Thinkin Bout You,” Frank Ocean has crafted a diverse and remarkable catalog of music.
These ten songs represent the best of Frank Ocean’s discography, and each of them is a timeless masterpiece. No matter which one of these tracks you choose to listen to, you’ll be sure to experience a powerful emotional journey.