archive post: White Ferrari - Frank Ocean

originally published on September 16, 2016

This is an archived post from Roxanne’s previous blog on Wordpress. It was also a homework assignment for a music journalism class.

I figured that the best way to introduce how my mind works is to just jump right into it and start with something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. I’m not a music reviewer in the sense I always have to grade songs against a number scale — I prefer to just share my interpretations and see if anyone else agrees/disagrees.

One of the biggest album releases of this past summer is definitely Frank Ocean’s Blonde. I pretty much enjoy the entire album as a whole, but one that speaks to me the most is the song “White Ferrari.”

/frank-ocean-blonde-album-stream

The song evokes a lot of emotions I can relate to.

It begins with a slow, simply synth instrumental. But the instrumental begins at the same exact time the vocals do, where Frank says “Bad luck to talk on these rides.” An opening line like that reflects a type of premonition that a moment you’re enjoying is about to be ruined.

“Mind on the road / Your dilated eyes / watch the clouds float.” The idea that once the person sitting passenger seat next to you unbuckles their seatbelt and prepares to leave, life will change. It’s more of a metaphorical statement than anything: Life is fleeting and some of the most precious moments are difficult to reenact.

“I didn’t care to state the plain. Kept my mouth closed. We’re both so familiar. ” Both parties may not know what the future holds, but they acknowledge that this moment is where their paths depart from one another.

“I care for you still / and I will / forever.” This line is painful, honest, but beautiful.

The name of the song itself, “White Ferrari,” reflects both Frank’s real-life obsession with luxury cars, and an allegorical comparison that the person he’s writing the song about is just as precious, rare, and fast-moving.

What really gets me is the ending (around 3:07) where the vocals become softer, and the guitar complements the singer’s rambling thoughts.

“I’m sure we’re taller in another dimension
You say we’re small and not worth the mention
You’re tired of movin’, your body’s achin’
We could vaca, there’s places to go
Clearly this isn’t all that there is
Can’t take what’s been given
But we’re so okay here, we’re doing fine.”

Sometimes a moment is all you need to carry on.