Lens

Album: Not on an album (2017)
Play Video

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."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Joe Jackson

Joe JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Joe talks about the challenges of of making a Duke Ellington tribute album, and tells the stories behind some of his hits.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song Spoofs

A Monster Ate My Red Two: Sesame Street's Greatest Song SpoofsSong Writing

When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.