Lens

Album: Not on an album (2017)
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Songfacts®:

  • Frank Ocean reflects on this romantic rumination about a past love and childhood memories. He also mentions that he's being watched by the spirits of his ancestors. Though they see him during his most unflattering moments, Ocean is not embarrassed.

    Despite the life I lead
    All this life in me
    Spirits watch me, pants down
    Can't be 'barrassed of it
    I feel their smiles on me (smiles on me)


    His ancestors are not critical of his behaviour, instead they are smiling at the singer.
  • The outro references several people who have been important in Ocean's life. These people are watching over him either in spirit or in person.

    Lionel got a lens, Danny got a lens
    Matthew got a lens on me right now, yeah


    Ocean is shouting out his grandfather, Lionel, Aunt Janet, and childhood friend Matt Lacey. The singer previously sang about the death of Lionel on the nostalgia,ULTRA track "There Will Be Tears" when he said his grandad was the only father figure he'd ever had.
  • Ocean premiered the song on the April 23, 2017 episode of his Beats 1 blonded RADIO show. The singer also premiered on the same show a second version of the track featuring his first collaboration with rapper Travis Scott. During his verse on the remix, Scott references Ocean's previously released song, "Biking."

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