Ivy Frank Ocean Review
Ivy is Frank Ocean's Surprise Shift
"Ivy", a standout track from Frank Ocean's critically acclaimed Blonde album, arrived with a wave of anticipation. After the success of Channel Orange, the world waited to see what Ocean would do next. "Ivy" wasn't the expected follow-up; instead, it subverted hip-hop tropes for a deeply personal soundscape.
Delicate Instrumentation, Devastating Lyrics
The production on "Ivy" is a dreamy haze – layered guitars, gentle synths, and a sparse rhythm guide the track. It's unlike classic hip-hop, pulling listeners into a melancholic mood mirroring Ocean's lyrics. He tackles a failed relationship with brutal honesty: "If I could see through walls, I could see you're faking". Yet, even amidst fame ("No matter what I did, my waves wouldn't dip back then"), Ocean acknowledges the lingering impact of lost love.
Vulnerability as a Power Move
The contrast between the delicate music and raw emotion is mesmerizing. Ocean sheds his bravado, letting his regrets and desires pour out. His wordplay is nuanced – references to "armored trucks" hint at both material success and an emotional wall in the relationship. The line "ivory's illegal" underscores changing values and a hunger for authenticity beneath the glitz of fame.
The Heartbreaking Power of the Chorus
Ocean's chorus hits hard: "I thought that I was dreamin' when you said you love me…" starts with sweet yearning, then pivots to "I could hate you now". Even within the chaos of a messy breakup, he confesses there's still "good" buried within the pain. It's raw, messy, and deeply relatable – all things that make Frank Ocean an undeniable artistic force.
Legacy of "Ivy"
"Ivy" isn't a club banger. It's a hauntingly beautiful track that lingers long after the music fades. It reminds us Ocean isn't just a hitmaker; he's a master of emotions, weaving complex lyrics into unexpected soundscapes. In a world hyper-focused on his next release, "Ivy" was a daring declaration of artistic autonomy – Frank Ocean doing it his way, with stunning results.
Listen to Frank Ocean Ivy
Frank Ocean Ivy Lyrics Meaning
Frank Ocean's "Ivy" delves into the bittersweet emotions of a lost love. Ocean grapples with the initial shock of finding love unexpectedly and the lingering heartache of its demise. Despite the potential for bitterness, he acknowledges a lingering positive feeling, illustrating the inherent complexity of love – that it can bring both ecstasy and pain.
The song is laced with nostalgia, mourning the simplicity and carefree nature of their younger days. Ocean emphasizes the impossibility of recapturing those days, underscoring the inevitable personal growth and change that occurs over time. He reflects on shared experiences while also questioning his partner's actions during the relationship's tumultuous end.
"Ivy" refuses to provide a neatly-wrapped resolution. Instead, it explores the contradictory facets of love, the role of memories in shaping emotional experiences, and the difficult lessons learned in the wake of loss. Its poetic lyrics and hazy production allow ample room for individual interpretation, solidifying its status as a poignant and relatable exploration of heartbreak and transformation.
Frank Ocean Ivy Lyrics
[Chorus]
I thought that I was dreamin' when you said you love me
The start of nothin'
I had no chance to prepare, I couldn't see you comin'
The start of nothin'
Ooh, I could hate you now
It's quite alright to hate me now
When we both know that deep down
The feeling still deep down is good
[Verse 1]
If I could see through walls, I could see you're faking
If you could see my thoughts, you would see our faces
Safe in my rental like an armored truck back then
We didn't give a fuck back then
I ain't a kid no more
We'll never be those kids again
We'd drive to Syd's
Had the X6 back then, back then
No matter what I did, my waves wouldn't dip back then
Everything sucked back then, we were friends
[Chorus]
I thought that I was dreamin' when you said you love me
The start of nothin'
I had no chance to prepare, I couldn't see you comin'
The start of nothin'
Ooh, I could hate you now
It's quite alright to hate me now
But we both know that deep down
The feeling still deep down is good
[Verse 2]
In the halls of your hotel
Arm around my shoulder so I could tell
How much I meant to you, meant it sincere back then
We had time to kill back then
You ain't a kid no more, we'll never be those kids again
It's not the same, ivory's illegal, don't you remember?
[Bridge]
I broke your heart last week
You'll probably feel better by the weekend
Still remember, had you going crazy
Screamin' my name, the feeling deep down is good
[Chorus]
I thought that I was dreamin' when you said you love me
The start of nothin'
Had no chance to prepare, couldn't see you comin'
And we started from nothin'
Ooh, I could hate you now
It's alright to hate me now
We both know that deep down
The feeling still deep down is good
[Outro]
All the things I didn't mean to say, I didn't mean to do
There were things you didn't need to say, did you mean to? Mean to?
I've been dreamin' of you, dreamin' of you
I've been dreamin' of you, dreamin' of you
I've been dreamin', dreamin'