Pyramids (song)
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"Pyramids" is a song by American singer
The song explores a narrative of a
The song was featured in a teaser for Ocean's then-upcoming album and was released with a cover that featured
Background
On June 8, 2012, Ocean posted on his tumblr a cryptic, almost two-minute video, promoting an unknown project which was titled Channel Orange.[9] The clip featured an expensive-looking car, and it also contained new music.[9][10] Later that day Ocean posted the full song used in the video, titled "Pyramids" onto his SoundCloud account.[11][12] Popdust noted that "trailers won’t tell you everything. For example, the brief snippet of Frank Ocean’s new track ‘Pyramids’ heard in an ambiguous trailer a few days ago left out one key detail of the track: the damn thing is 10 minutes long."[13] The cover artwork for the single features sexual Simpsons characters.[14]
The song was Ocean's first single in over a year, which was described as him coming "back into the spotlight in a huge way."[1][2][3] The track was labeled indicating that it was to be the ninth track on the album.[9] It was later announced that the Channel Orange project was actually his debut album and would launch a corresponding tour.[12] The release of the album's track list confirmed both the track placement of the track and the appearance of it on the album.[2] "Pyramids" serves as the second single from the project following "Thinkin Bout You".[15] The following day Ocean posted that, "playing ‘Pyramids’ on the road is gonna be my favourite part" on his Twitter account, speaking about his promotional tour.[14]
Composition
"Pyramids" is an
The chorus talks about a woman “working at the pyramid tonight”.[20] The track lyrically features intricate imagery that depicts a fantasy-like scenario, and the length gives the song the ability to change tempo with "patience, with suave, like a furthering of the foreplay".[21] The first half details an account of ancient history, "even your junior high school social studies teacher would blush over", with the second half containing a narrative where Ocean serves as Cleopatra's pimp but through years of working together, he eventually falls in love with her.[22] Through the "unwritten bylaws of their profession", however, his love is no match for the "rules of the game which were established long before he or she rose to power."[22] The narrative of "Pyramids" was inspired by real events in Ocean's life.[23] When the singer lived in Los Angeles, he lived alongside pimps, and in an interview the singer mused that "it was fantasy built off that dynamic … but you can only write what you know to a point."[23] The storytelling scope of the song has been compared favorably to Bob Dylan's "Hurricane", and has been described as an anthem "for the Drake generation."[24]
It was reported that Ocean was really stretching the limits of the term "song" on "Pyramids", and that there are "more ideas on this track than on most albums".[20] The single runs the gamut of Ocean's various influences, pulling from European electronic dance music and Prince's early 80s discography, notably Purple Rain.[25] The moody tune finds Ocean moaning over ethereal swirls and pulses while cooing about "working at the pyramid" and finding "my Black queen Cleopatra."[15] It entails a multitude of "suites and a kaleidoscope of moods and tones" from "vainglorious to melancholic" and has been called the "Paranoid Android" of R&B.[24] Although Ocean is often labeled as an R&B artist, he has "entirely steered clear of confining himself to one genre" with the song.[21]
Reception
"Pyramids" was received with universal acclaim from
Melissa Locker of Time called it a "tour de force" and "a ten-minute history of R&B, arcing from club thumping beats to a sultry drawn out jam with Ocean's voice veering from a velvety croon to an endearingly creaky falsetto."[29] Spin's Marc Hogan declared "this much is clear: Ocean continues to deliver songs that combine the narrative punch of a great singer-songwriter with the stylish flair of contemporary hip-hop."[9] John Hall of The Independent described the song as more new material from the "hardest-working man in hip hop" and that the "10-minute single works its way through every genre of contemporary pop, from club banger to slow jam."[30] Nathan S. of the DJBooth described the song as a sprawling affair, noting that it contains "hazy and ambient cut that manages to weave in soaring guitars and ‘90s funk synths."[31] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian mused that the track seemed ambitious to the point of sounding slightly daft, and that the track was "certainly unlike anything else in current R&B."[32] PopMatters's Brice Ezell stated that all it takes is one listen to 'Pyramids', the shape-shifting opus of channel ORANGE to cement Ocean's status as one of contemporary R&B's vital songwriters.[33]
John Calvert of
Ocean's Odd Future cohort
The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop annual critics' poll ranked "Pyramids" at number 10 to find the best music of 2012; Ocean's previous single, "Thinkin Bout You" charted at number four on the same poll.[citation needed]
Promotion
When "Pyramids" was first released, it debuted within a promotional video less than two minutes long.[9] The clip consists of an extended shot of a car, which flickers slightly with "otherworldly effects" while a "slinky soul tune plays in the background."[38] The video was directed by Nabil Elderkin, who also helmed the music videos for past Ocean singles such as "Swim Good" and "Novacane".[39] A portion of the song was used during television commercials advertising Channel Orange, which began airing following the 2012 BET Awards.[40] Siân Rowe of NME mused that the song will definitely get an outing on his upcoming US tour; "Imagine lots of dry ice, a velvet-covered rotating stage and the entire front row sighing, 'I love you, Frank', what a beautiful sight."[14] Ocean performed the track during his 14 show Channel Orange Tour through North America.[41]
Music video
An extended, eight-minute video for "Pyramids", also directed by Elderkin, was later released on September 8, 2012.[42] The video follows a loose narrative,[43] with stream-of-consciousness scenes,[44] and utilizes several songs from Ocean's album channel ORANGE.
It begins with Ocean drinking four shots of absinthe at a bar, before opening fire upon the bar itself; a segment of "Pink Matter" plays during this portion. A title card appears as Ocean boards his motorcycle (the song "Start" appears.) As he rides off into the desert, a snippet of the first half of "Pyramids" plays before transitioning directly into the second half. Shots of Ocean singing on his motorbike are interspersed with slow-motion scenes of Ocean walking through a strip club in a hallucinogenic haze, occasionally bursting into laughter;[43] the club employs vampy women.[44] Ocean is then seen in front of a large neon triangle with the Kabbalahian Tree of Life in neon upon it, from which John Mayer emerges and performs an entirely new guitar solo exclusive to the video.[43] James Montgomery of MTV News characterizes the scene as an inadvertent "vision quest".[44] Ocean falls down backwards, instantly re-appearing in the desert as a plane flies overhead. The song "End" appears as Ocean walks back to his motorcycle, picks up his helmet and walks down the highway towards a pyramid in the distance.[43]
Charts
Chart (2012) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[45] | 24 |
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders Urban)[45] | 41 |
UK Singles ( The Official Charts Company)[46]
|
129 |
UK R&B ( Official Charts Company)[47]
|
21 |
US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles (Billboard)[48] | 3 |
US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard)[49] | 22 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[50] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[51] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[52] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
Streaming | ||
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[53] | Gold | 900,000† |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Remixes and cover versions
On September 4, 2012, record producer Chi Duly released "Pyramids (Chi Duly Remix)", an uptempo nu-disco version.[54] In 2021, Apple Music remastered the track to the Dolby Atmos surround sound format.
References
- ^ a b Zeichner, Naomi (2012-06-07). "Frank Ocean, "Pyramids" MP3". The Fader. Andy Cohn. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
- ^ a b c Minsker, Evan (2012-06-23). "Frank Ocean Reveals Album Art, Tracklist". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
- ^ a b Carley, Brennanurl (2012-06-08). "Frank Ocean Unveils 'Channel Orange,' Releases 'Pyramids' Single". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-06-25.
- ^ James, David and Paul (September 6, 2012). "Blog jam: Bonafide Magazine". The Guardian. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- ^ a b Minsker, Evan (2012-06-08). "Frank Ocean Pyramids". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2018-06-15.
- ^ Sacher, Andrew. "30 essential psychedelic soul songs". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ Youngs, Ian (2012-01-05). "Sound of 2012: Frank Ocean". BBC News. Retrieved 2012-06-09.
- ^ Complex Magazine. Complex Media. Retrieved 2018-06-15.
- ^ a b c d e Hogan, Marc (2012-06-08). "Frank Ocean Hints at 'Channel Orange' Release". Spin. Spin Media LLC. Retrieved 2011-08-04.
- ^ St. Asaph, Katherine (2012-08-12). "Frank Ocean releases trailer for something or toother". Popdust. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
- ^ Louche, Liz (2012-06-03). "The greatest gift of all: Frank Ocean announces new album, tourdates". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 2011-08-19.
- ^ a b c Martin, Andre (2012-06-08). "1. Frank Ocean Pyramids". Complex Magazine. Complex Media. Retrieved 2011-12-30.
- ^ a b St. Asaph, Katherine (2012-06-12). "Listen to Frank's 10 Minute Epic Song Pyramids". Popdust. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
- ^ IPC Media. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
- ^ a b Vibe Staff (2012-06-10). "New Music: Frank Ocean Pyramids". Vibe. Vibe Media. Retrieved 2011-12-05.
- ^ Dobbins, Amanda (2012-12-12). "Song of Summer 2012: The R&B Division". Vulture. New York Magazine. Retrieved 2011-12-05.
- Viacom. Retrieved 2018-06-15.
- ^ Thiessen, Brock (2012-06-12). "Frank Ocean Pyramids". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2018-06-15.
- ^ Rosen, Jody (2012-06-14). "Frank Ocean Pyramids". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Archived from the original on June 19, 2012. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
- ^ a b c Luis, Tovar (2012-12-15). "Tracking 2012′s Best Songs #14". PrettyMuchAmazing. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
- ^ a b c Martin, Paley (2012-06-19). "Sexually and Contextually". Most Blunted. Archived from the original on 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
- ^ a b Tinsley, J (2012-07-26). "On Frank Ocean's Pyramids". The Smoking Section. Archived from the original on 2016-05-04. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ a b Nicholson, Rebecca (2012-07-11). "Frank Ocean: the most talked-about man in music". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
- ^ a b c Calvert, John (2012-07-03). "The Future's Bright: Frank Ocean's Channel Orange Track-by-Track". The Quietus. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ Luis, Tovar (2012-12-15). "New Frank Ocean: "Pyramids" MP3 & Tour Dates". PrettyMuchAmazing. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
- ^ "Frank Ocean "Pyramids"". Complex. December 2012.
- ^ Dombal, Ryan (2012-07-12). "Frank Ocean: Channel Orange". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2012-10-27.
- ^ McCormick, Neil (2012-07-13). "Frank Ocean, Channel Orange, review". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 2012-07-13.
- ^ Locker, Melissa (2012-07-10). "Frank Ocean Pours His Heart Out on Channel Orange: Album Review". Time. Time Inc. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
- ^ Hall, John (2012-06-16). "The Playlist". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
- ^ S, Nathan (2012-06-23). "Frank Ocean - Pyramids". DJBooth. Retrieved 2010-10-26.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis (2012-07-11). "Frank Ocean: Channel Orange – review". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
- ^ Ezell, Brice (2012-07-13). "Frank Ocean: channel ORANGE". PopMatters. Retrieved 2012-07-13.
- ^ Lipshutz, Jason (2012-07-10). "Frank Ocean, 'Channel Orange': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-07-10.
- ^ Richards, Chris (2012-07-10). "Music review: Frank Ocean's 'Channel Orange'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2012-07-13.
- ^ Rap-up Staff (2012-03-17). "New Music: Pyramids". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. Retrieved 2012-05-20.
- ^ Boles, Benjamin (2012-07-05). "Frank Ocean - professional game changer". Now. NOW Communications. Retrieved 2011-09-23.
- ^ Hudson, Alex (2012-06-12). "Frank Ocean Reveals 'Channel Orange' Album". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
- ^ Dombal, Ryhan (2011-07-05). "Director's Cut: Frank Ocean: Novacane". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2011-09-23.
- ^ Krishnamurthy, Sowmya (2012-07-02). "Frank Ocean's Channel Orange Commercial Airs During BET Awards". RapfixMTV. Viacom. Retrieved 2011-07-02.
- ^ Nancy, Kelly (2012-07-14). "Frank Ocean kicks off Channel Orange Tour in Seattle". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. Retrieved 2012-07-14.
- ^ Lipshutz, Jason; Ramirez, Erika (September 16, 2012). "Frank Ocean Hits 'SNL,' Releases 'Pyramids' Video: Watch". Billboard. New York. Archived from the original on 2012-09-17. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
- ^ a b c d Phillips, Amy & Pelly Jenn (2012-09-16). "Video: Frank Ocean: "Pyramids"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
- ^ a b c Montgomery, James (September 17, 2012). "Frank Ocean's 'Pyramids' Video: No Church In The Wild". MTV News. MTV. Archived from the original on 2012-09-19. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
- ^ Ultratip.
- ^ Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK: New Entries Update – 28.07.2012 (Week 29)". zobbel.de. Tobias Zywietz. Retrieved 2012-07-29.
- ^ Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK: New Entries Update – 28.07.2012 (Week 29)". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2012-07-22.
- ^ "Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Issue Date: 2012-10-20". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2012-10-11.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Frank Ocean Album & Song Chart History". Billboard R&B Songs. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
- ^ "Singles Accreditations Report - March 2024" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ "British single certifications – Frank Ocean – Pyramids". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
- ^ "American single certifications – Frank Ocean – Pyramids". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Frank Ocean – Pyramids". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
- ^ 09/04/2012 5:16 pm Updated: 09/04/2012 7:36 pm (September 4, 2012). "Frank Ocean, 'Pyramids' Chi Duly Remix: R&B Singer's Song Gets Uptempo Remix (EXCLUSIVE)". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
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