“Thinkin Bout You” is a popular song by American singer-songwriter Frank Ocean, released in 2012 as the lead single from his debut studio album “Channel Orange”.
The track explores themes of love, longing, and reflection on a past relationship. It begins with vivid imagery of emotional turmoil, using metaphors like a tornado in a room to describe the impact of the person Ocean is thinking about. The lyrics then delve into the narrator’s conflicted feelings, alternating between trying to downplay their emotions and admitting to deep, lasting affection.
Throughout the song, Ocean questions whether the object of his affection still thinks about him, revealing vulnerability and a desire for reciprocation.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
“Thinkin Bout You” Lyrics Meaning
Verse 1
“A tornado flew around my room before you came
Excuse the mess it made, it usually doesn’t rain in
Southern California, much like Arizona
My eyes don’t shed tears, but boy, they pour when”
This verse uses vivid imagery to convey emotional turmoil. The “tornado” symbolizes chaos and disruption caused by the arrival of a loved one.
The mention of unusual rain in typically dry places like Southern California and Arizona parallels the rarity of the narrator’s emotional outpouring.
Despite not usually crying, the narrator’s emotions are overwhelming, suggesting deep feelings for the person they are thinking about.
Pre-Chorus
“I’m thinkin’ ’bout you, ooh, no, no, no
I’ve been thinkin’ ’bout you, you know, know, know
I’ve been thinkin’ ’bout you, do you think about me still?
Do ya, do ya?”
In the pre-chorus, the narrator repeatedly confesses that they are constantly thinking about their past lover. This repetition emphasizes the obsessive nature of their thoughts and introduces a sense of vulnerability as they wonder if the other person reciprocates these feelings.
Chorus
“Or do you not think so far ahead?
‘Cause I been thinkin’ ’bout forever, ooh
Or do you not think so far ahead?
‘Cause I been thinkin’ ’bout forever, ooh”
The chorus reveals a contrast between the narrator’s deep, long-term feelings and the uncertainty about the other person’s perspective. The narrator dreams of a lasting connection (“forever”), but questions whether the other person shares this vision or is even thinking that far ahead.
Verse 2
“No, I don’t like you, I just thought you were cool enough to kick it
Got a beach house I could sell you in Idaho
Since you think I don’t love you, I just thought you were cute
That’s why I kissed you
Got a fighter jet, I don’t get to fly it though
I’m lying down”
In this verse, the narrator downplays their feelings, possibly as a defense mechanism. The mention of a “beach house in Idaho,” a landlocked state, and a “fighter jet” they can’t fly are metaphors for unattainable dreams and unfulfilled promises. These lines reflect the narrator’s internal conflict and the pain of unreciprocated love.
Bridge
“Yes, of course, I remember, how could I forget (How could I forget)
How you feel? (How you feel?)
You know you were my first time, a new feel
It won’t ever get old, not in my soul, not in my spirit, keep it alive
We’ll go down this road ’til it turns from color to black and white”
The bridge is a nostalgic reflection on the significance of the past relationship. The narrator acknowledges the unforgettable nature of their “first time” and the unique feelings it brought.
They express a desire to keep the memory alive, even as time fades the vibrancy of the experience (“from color to black and white”). This part underscores the lasting impact of the relationship on the narrator’s soul and spirit.
Deeper Meaing Behind “Thinkin Bout You”
“Thinkin Bout You” is an emotionally intense song that explores the persistent and lingering thoughts the narrator has about a past lover.
The song explores the narrator’s uncertainty about whether the former lover still thinks about him, reflecting a common human experience of wondering about the thoughts and feelings of someone from the past. This question is central to the chorus, where Ocean asks, “Do you think about me still?”
In the lyrics, the emotional chaos that the narrator experiences are symbolized by a “tornado” in his room. This turmoil is directly linked to his thoughts about the past relationship. The repeated refrain “I’ve been thinkin’ ’bout you” highlights the narrator’s ongoing preoccupation with a former lover.
Throughout the song, Ocean claims not to like the person, yet admits to thinking they were “cool enough to kick it”. He mentions selling a beach house in Idaho (a landlocked state) and owning a fighter jet he can’t fly, using these impossible scenarios to illustrate the unrealistic nature of their relationship or the disconnect between his desires and reality.
The bridge of the song is particularly significant. Ocean recalls a first-time experience, likely referring to a first love or sexual encounter. The lines “It won’t ever get old, not in my soul, not in my spirit, keep it alive” suggest that this memory holds a special, timeless place in his heart. The final line, “We’ll go down this road ’til it turns from color to black and white,” implies a commitment to holding onto these memories, even as they fade with time.
Overall, Ocean’s lyrics convey a sense of yearning, nostalgia, and unresolved feelings. The contrast between his intense emotions and the uncertainty of the other person’s feelings creates a bittersweet tone.
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He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.