Thinkin Bout You (Frank Ocean song)
"Thinkin Bout You" | ||||
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Single by Frank Ocean | ||||
from the album Channel Orange | ||||
Released | April 17, 2012 | |||
Recorded | 2011 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:21 | |||
Label | Def Jam | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Shea Taylor | |||
Frank Ocean singles chronology | ||||
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"Thinkin Bout You" is a song by American singer Frank Ocean, released as the lead single from his debut studio album Channel Orange (2012). The song was written by Ocean and Shea Taylor. Originally to be featured on Bridget Kelly's debut album, Ocean released his demo version of the track for free on his Tumblr account in 2011. In May 2012, the song was officially sent to radio and released on iTunes as a single by Ocean. Kelly released her version of the track entitled "Thinking About Forever" on her debut EP Every Girl released October 19, 2011.
Lyrically, the track is about a relationship just out of Ocean's reach and the turmoil that ensues. The track also explores feelings of regret and heartbreak. The song received highly positive reviews from
In December 2012, the song peaked at position 32 on the
Background
In early 2011, Roc Nation recording artist Bridget Kelly and her production team had approached Ocean to write a song for her debut studio album.[3][4] The song in question eventually became "Thinking About You", which Kelly commented; “it’s sort of a vulnerable track and I wanted everyone to feel me on it.”[5] On July 28, 2011, Ocean leaked his demo version of the song onto his tumblr account, with the title stylized as "Thinking Bout You".[6] The song was then promptly taken down by Ocean.[6] Kelly, who had already performed an acoustic version of the song, retitled her version "Thinking About Forever" following the release of Ocean's version.[5] Kelly's version found its way onto her debut EP Every Girl (2011).[4] Kelly was ultimately fine with Ocean's decision, however she noted that she didn't like how most people thought Ocean's version was the original, and how people assumed her version was a cover version.[4] About the confusion of the track, Kelly stated
Now that push has come to shove, we're going to let the song have a life of its own. I think it's an amazing, well-written record. Frank Ocean is incredibly talented, I will never say anything against that. But at the same time, you know, he's going to do what he wants to do, he's an artist as well.[4]
Ocean later stated why he chose to release his own version of the song, stating that it was still extremely personal to him.
Composition
"Thinkin Bout You" is an R&B song with an atmospheric beat.[13] The track is a tender ballad that "retains Ocean's signature mellow, minimalist vibe," reinforced with shimmering synths and silky production.[14][15][16] Ocean croons smoothly on the song,[17] while employing a falsetto vocal range in certain sections.[15] MTV columnist Jenna Hally Rubenstein likens Ocean's singing on "Thinkin Bout You" to Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake, and Maxwell.[18] The version of the song featured on Channel Orange features an additional string section,[10] opening the track with a swell of strings.[19]
Lyrically, "it's a melancholy record discussing the torturous pain that comes with thinking about someone all the time, even if they may not reciprocate the sentiment."[18] The track, being originally written for a woman, can be viewed as unisex composition.[20] Following Ocean's revelation that he has been attracted to people of the same sex, some critics noted that lines such as "my eyes don't shed tears, but boy they pour when I'm thinkin bout you" had another additional message, expressing his own thoughts on love.[20][21] The song has been called a forbidden love track, expressing Ocean's turmoil about his own hidden sexuality.[22] The refrain "boy" was originally viewed synonym for “wow”, though "new urgency" was pumped into the track, adding extra pathos.[22] Ocean reminisces about his "first time", with an ex-lover who is addressed as "boy" during the song.[23] The track is an apology to an unnamed lover.[24] Lines like "a tornado flew around my room before you came," serves as a confession, and "excuse the mess it made, it usually doesn't rain in Southern California" outlines Ocean's own grief about the situation, admitting the situation got out of control.[24]
About Ocean's writing,
Critical reception
"Thinkin Bout You" received highly positive reviews from
John Calvert of The Quietus described "Thinkin Bout You" as a "slow-release torch song the colour of caramel and bathed in low voltage lighting, a buzzing but soothing synth cycle and muffled beats evoke touching and kissing in a velveteen womb. Poised, considered, classy and moving, this is uniquely Frank Ocean."[26] Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune stated that the track "couldn’t be any less auspicious as an opening song, little more than a delicate, yearning falsetto vocal over vaporous keyboards and a muffled rhythm track."[28] Rolling Stone writer Jody Rosen described the song as "woozy", featuring Ocean's "falsetto rippling over murmuring electronic percussion".[29] He stated that "it's a bisexual black bohemian New Orleanian-turned-Angeleno's avant-R&B torch ballad. And, of course, it's just a love song – an anthem for anyone, anywhere, who's found love, and lost it."[29]
Hayley Louise Brown of
Accolades
Music video
On September 15, 2011, a
Promotion
Ocean embarked on a solo tour through
Chart performance
On the week of March 22, 2012, the song debuted at number 91 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[54] It has since peaked at number 7.[54] Following the release of Channel Orange, the track rode a wave of momentum and charted at position 32 on the Billboard Hot 100, 6 on the Billboard Heatseekers Songs chart, 94 on the UK Singles Chart and 16 on the UK R&B singles chart.[55][56][57] On December 14, 2012, "Thinkin Bout You" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for shipments of 500,000 units in the United States.[58] As of February 28, 2013, the song has sold over one million copies in the United States.[59]
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[67] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[68] | Gold | 40,000* |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[69] | 4× Platinum | 120,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[70] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[71] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
Streaming | ||
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[72] | Platinum | 1,800,000† |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ Billboard Staff (October 19, 2023). "The 500 Best Pop Songs: Staff List". Billboard. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
...none quite sum up the chill-wave majesty of the indie online era as well as Frank's classic torch song.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100™". Billboard. 2012-12-22. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "Thinkin Bout You". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. 2011-12-07. Archived from the original on June 25, 2012. Retrieved 2011-12-09.
- ^ a b c d Andrew Martin (2012-03-22). "Video: Bridget Kelly Talks Confusion Over Thinking About You". Prefix. Retrieved 2011-05-05.
- ^ a b c "Briget Kelly Talks Roc Nation debut". Rap-Up. 2012-03-17. Archived from the original on 2012-12-15. Retrieved 2012-05-20.
- ^ Pitchfork Media. Retrieved on 2011-11-123.
- ^ Nicholson, Rebecca (2012-07-11). "Frank Ocean: the most talked-about man in music". The Guardian. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
- ^ "Thinkin Bout You - Single by Frank Ocean - United States". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. January 2012. Retrieved 2012-01-11.
- ^ a b Ramirez, Erika (2012-06-22). "Frank Ocean Previews 'Channel Orange' Album in NYC". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-09-23.
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- ^ "Top 40/Mainstream". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Sargent, Jordan (2011-07-28). "Thinking About You". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved on 2011-11-123.
- ^ "Single cover: Thinkin Bout You". Rap-Up. 2012-04-12. Retrieved 2012-05-20.
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- ^ Fitzmaurice, Larry (2011-11-14). "Thinking About You (SBTRKT Edit)". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved on 2011-11-123.
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- ^ a b "Thinkin Bout You - Frank Ocean". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-07-18.
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- ^ "American album certifications – Frank Ocean – Thinkin Bout You". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
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