Swim Good
"Swim Good" | ||||
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Single by Frank Ocean | ||||
from the album nostalgia,ULTRA. | ||||
Released | October 18, 2011 | |||
Recorded | 2010 | |||
Genre | Alternative R&B | |||
Length | 4:17 | |||
Label | Def Jam | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Midi Mafia | |||
Frank Ocean singles chronology | ||||
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"Swim Good" is a song by American singer
When Nostalgia, Ultra was expected to be released as an
Background
"Swim Good" was written by Frank Ocean, Waynne Nugent and Kevin Risto of the duo Midi Mafia, who also produced the track.[1] The song appears on his debut mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra, which was released on February 18, 2011.[2] When asked by The Quietus about his own interpretation of the character in the song it was noted that Ocean "politely withdrew, saying he'd enjoy that discussion but he doesn't want to spoil his audience's experience of his songs".[3] He further commented "but you have fun with the imagery, and for me the whole concept that everything has to be... Like, nobody gets upset with a director when a director's film isn't about his life. People think that with a recording artist that shit has to be like a fucking play by play of their whole life, but it's not. It's imagery, and a little bit of satire."[3] The track was released as the second single from Nostalgia, Ultra digitally on October 18, 2011 by Def Jam Recordings.[4]
Composition
"Swim Good" has been interpreted as "a first-person debate about killing yourself".[5][6] The track has been called an "astonishing suicide song" and that "Ocean finds himself dressed in black ('Like I'm ready for a funeral'), tormented by heartbreak and on the verge of driving his car into the sea."[7] The song has been described as a "grim escape fantasy", which "has the singer driving his car to the shore, his trunk “bleeding” with “broken hearts”.[1] The hook of the song ends with the refrain of "I feel like a ghost, no Swayze, ever since I lost my baby."[1] Pitchfork described the singing as "heart-battered."[5] The Quietus states that the song "makes you realise the ocean means a lot more to this songwriter than the reference to Ocean's Eleven that he's cited in interviews, he is mysterious and tragic."[3]
Reception
"Swim Good" received positive reviews from
On July 31, 2012, the music video was nominated for three MTV Video Music Awards: Best Direction and Best Male Video, with Ocean being nominated for Best New Artist for his work with the video.[14]
Promotion
Ocean released a
The clip opens with a dazed Ocean "going through the motions of eating popcorn though he's wearing an Odd Future mask that does not have a mouth opening."[10] It features a "'70s orange and black Lincoln limousine" and Ocean in an orange samurai robe "mysteriously driving along the coastline and deep into the forest."[19][10] He then whips out his sword and "draws blood from his unsuspecting female victim. He sets fire to the vehicle and watches it burn on the cliff during the explosive conclusion."[19] In the closing moments, "viewers are lead [sic] to believe that the mystery woman was also the passenger of the rear compartment" and the video ends when the "camera zooms in on Ocean's blood-stained sword."[10][dead link] The video "adds color to the already chilling, and unusual storyline for alternative R&B song" according to Yahoo.[10]
Ocean embarked on a solo tour through
Personnel
- Frank Ocean – vocals
- Midi Mafia – production
- Ariel Chobaz – mixing
- Calvin Bailiff – recording engineering
- Reggie Rojo Jr. – recording engineering
- Kuda Magocha - Sponsor
Chart performance
Chart (2011–12) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[25] | 39 |
US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[13] | 70 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[26] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[27] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
Streaming | ||
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[28] | Gold | 900,000† |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ Rovi Corporation. Review. Retrieved 2012-01-11.
- ^ Noz, Andrew (2011-04-21). "Frank Ocean: Smart And Subtle R&B Songwriting". NPR. Retrieved 2011-04-28.
- ^ a b c Melissaa, Bradshaw (November 22, 2011). "'Imagery, And A Little Bit Of Satire': An Interview With Frank Ocean". The Quietus. Retrieved 2011-05-20.
- ^ "Swim Good – Single by Frank Ocean – United States". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. Retrieved 2012-01-11.
- ^ a b c d e Dombal, Ryan (March 4, 2011). Pitchfork: Album Reviews: Frank Ocean: Nostalgia, Ultra.. Pitchfork. Retrieved on 2011-06-17.
- ^ Grundy, Luke (March 21, 2011). "Music review: nostalgia, ULTRA by Frank Ocean". Escapeintolife. Retrieved 2011-09-23.
- ^ a b Jonze, Tim (December 14, 2011). Best albums of 2011, No 3: Frank Ocean – Nostalgia, Ultra. The Guardian. Retrieved on 2011-11-123.
- ^ Complex. Retrieved 2011-09-23.
- ^ a b Hockley-Smith, Sam (2011-02-25). "Frank Ocean's Nostalgia, Ultra Album « The FADER". Thefader.com. Retrieved 2011-04-28.
- ^ a b c d e Johnson Jr., Billy (September 16, 2011). "Frank Ocean 'Swim Good' Video: Don't Pop The Trunk". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo!. Retrieved 2011-09-23.
- ^ Holly HoX! (February 28, 2011). Frank Ocean – Nostalgia, Ultra – Album Review – AbsolutePunk.net. AbsolutePunk. Retrieved on 2011-06-17.
- ^ Jebb, Charlie (March 31, 2011). Frank Ocean: Nostalgia, Ultra – Music Review – No Ripcord. No Ripcord. Retrieved on 2011-06-17.
- ^ a b "Swim Good-Frank Ocean". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
- ^ Martin, Andrew (2012-08-02). "MTV Reveals 2012 VMA Nominees Including Drake, Frank Ocean & Rihanna". Complex. Retrieved 2011-09-23.
- ^ a b c Fitzmaurice, Larry (September 16, 2011). Video: Frank Ocean: "Swim Good". Pitchfork. Retrieved on 2011-11-123.
- ^ "Swim Good – Music Video by Frank Ocean – United States". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. April 14, 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- ^ Noz, Hadley (2011-09-16). "Video: Frank Ocean, "Swim Good" « The FADER". The Fader. Retrieved 2011-04-28.
- ^ TheUrbanDaily Staff (September 16, 2011). Frank Ocean Swim Good. TheUrbanDaily. Retrieved on 2011-11-123.
- ^ a b c "VIDEO: FRANK OCEAN – 'SWIM GOOD'". Rap-Up. 2011-09-17. Retrieved 2011-05-20.
- ^ Staff (April 14, 2012). "2011 year in review: Best in pop music". RapUp.com. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- ^ Goldring, Erika (November 5, 2011). "Frank Ocean Flies Solo at House of Blues in New Orleans". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved 2011-12-09.
- ^ Staff (November 6, 2011). "Frank Ocean Flies Solo at House of Blues in New Orleans". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved 2011-12-09.
- ^ Minsker, Evan (April 14, 2012). "Watch Frank Ocean's Entire Coachella Set". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- Complex. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
- Ultratip.
- ^ "Singles Accreditations Report - March 2024" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ "British single certifications – Frank Ocean – Swim Good". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Frank Ocean – Swim Good". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved May 16, 2022.