Frank Ocean's "Pyramids": Unveiling a Labyrinth of Meaning
Frank Ocean's "Pyramids" transcends conventional song structure, clocking in at a sprawling 9 minutes and 54 seconds. Yet, its captivating blend of music, storytelling, and symbolism has cemented its place as a contemporary masterpiece. This review delves into the intricate layers of meaning embedded within the song, exploring its sonic landscape, lyrical brilliance, and thematic depth.
Pyramids Is A Genre-Bending Soundscape
Pyramids' meaning is complex from a song that defies easy categorization, traversing through club beats, psychedelic guitars, and soulful harmonies. Each section seamlessly melts into the next, creating a dynamic soundscape that reflects the song's shifting narratives. The opening synth riff pulsates with an ominous energy, mirroring the Pharaoh's descent into obsession. Meanwhile, the second half's bluesy guitar licks evoke a melancholic longing, echoing the modern-day Cleopatra's sorrow.
Listen to Frank Ocean Pyramids
Lyrical Masterstrokes - Unveiling Layers of Meaning
Ocean's masterful lyricism weaves together historical references, cultural critiques, and personal reflections. He effortlessly blends ancient Egyptian mythology with contemporary struggles, crafting a complex tapestry of desire, power, and societal expectations. The song's central narrative revolves around two figures named Cleopatra: the historical Egyptian queen and a present-day woman. By interweaving their stories, Ocean explores themes of commodification, the exploitation of women, and the cyclical nature of human desire.
Symbolism: A Key to Deciphering the Enigma
Pyramids are laden with symbolism throughout the song. They represent power, immortality, and the allure of wealth, but also serve as a reminder of the fleeting nature of existence. The recurring motif of mirrors and reflections further emphasizes the blurred lines between reality and fantasy, highlighting the song's exploration of identity and desire.
A Legacy of Innovation and Impact
"Pyramids" stands as a testament to Frank Ocean's artistic ambition and genre-bending creativity. It challenged conventional song structures, pushed lyrical boundaries, and sparked countless interpretations and discussions. Its influence continues to be felt in contemporary music, inspiring artists to embrace experimentation and explore nuanced storytelling.
What Is The Meaning of Pramids by Frank Ocean?
Frank Ocean's "Pyramids" delves into the complex and layered theme of the decline of Black identity and power, both historically and personally. The song weaves together several narratives, creating a tapestry of meaning.
One interpretation focuses on the historical allegory. It compares the "Black woman" to Cleopatra, once a revered queen, now reduced to a symbol of submission and dishonor due to her involvement with a colonizer. This mirrors the broader experience of Black people forcibly brought to the West, stripped of their dignity and agency. The woman's descent into stripping represents the exploitation and objectification Black women often face.
Another layer explores the personal relationship between the narrator and his woman. Her "treason" in leaving him parallels the perceived betrayal of Black individuals who assimilate into white dominated spaces. The narrator's conflicted emotions, a mix of resentment and lingering affection, reflect the complex dynamics within Black communities grappling with internal divisions and power struggles.
Working for the Pyramid meaning
However, the song doesn't solely dwell on despair. The "pyramid" itself can be interpreted as a symbol of resilience and enduring strength, even amidst hardship. The woman's act of stripping to support her partner could be seen as an act of agency and survival in a hostile environment. Ultimately, "Pyramids" forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about history and power dynamics, while leaving space for resilience and the possibility of reclaiming power.
Frank Ocean Pyramids Lyrics
[Part I]
[Refrain]
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Set the cheetahs on the loose
Oh, oh, oh, oh
There's a thief out on the move
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Underneath our legion's view
Oh, oh, oh, oh
They have taken Cleopatra
[Bridge]
Run run run, come back for my glory (Cleopatra)
Bring her back to me (Cleopatra)
Run run run, the crown of our pharaoh (Cleopatra)
The throne of our queen is empty (Cleopatra)
[Verse 1]
We'll run to the future, shining like diamonds
In a rocky world, rocky-rocky world
Our skin like bronze and our hair like cashmere
As we march to the rhythm on the palace floor
Chandeliers inside the pyramids tremble from the force
Cymbals crash inside the pyramids, voices fill up the halls
[Refrain]
Set the cheetahs on the loose
There's a thief out on the move
Underneath our legion's view
They have taken Cleopatra, Cleopatra
[Verse 2]
The jewel of Africa, jewel
What good is a jewel that ain't still precious?
How could you run off on me? How could you run off on us?
You feel like God inside that gold
I found you laying down with Samson and his full head of hair
I found my black queen Cleopatra, bad dreams, Cleopatra
[Outro]
Remove her, send the cheetahs to the tomb
Our war is over, our queen has met her doom
No more, she lives no more, serpent in her room
No more, he has killed Cleopatra, Cleopatra
[Part II]
[Segue]
Big sun coming strong through the motel blinds
Wake up to your girl
For now, let's call her Cleopatra, Cleopatra
I watch you fix your hair
Then put your panties on in the mirror, Cleopatra
Then your lipstick, Cleopatra
Then your six-inch heels, catch her
She's headed to the pyramid
[Chorus]
She's working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
[Verse 1]
Pimping in my convos
Bubbles in my champagne, let it be some jazz playing
Top floor motel suite twisting my cigars
Floor model TV with the VCR
Got rubies in my damn chain
Whip ain't got no gas tank but it still got woodgrain
Got your girl working for me
Hit the strip and my bills paid
That keep my bills paid
Hit the strip and my bills paid
Keep a nigga bills paid
[Chorus]
She's working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
[Verse 2]
You showed up after work, I'm bathing your body
Touch you in places only I know
You're wet and you're warm just like our bathwater
Can we make love before you go?
The way you say my name makes me feel like
I'm that nigga but I'm still unemployed
You say it's big but you take it, ride cowgirl
But your love ain't free no more, baby
But your love ain't free no more
[Chorus]
She's working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid, that's right
Working at the pyramid tonight, yeah
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight