"Ivy" by Frank Ocean // Song Review

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"I thought that I was dreamin' when you said you love me" opens the emotional journey of Frank Ocean's "Ivy", setting the tone for all that is to follow. This is a song that feels like a memory unraveling in real time. Featured on his 2016 sophomore album Blonde, "Ivy" is a beautiful ode to young love and the lingering ache of its aftermath. It's minimalistic in production but emotionally expansive, pairing alternative R&B textures with stripped-down instrumentation. 

The song connects deeply to the overarching themes of love and loss throughout Blonde. His raw and emotional performance on "Ivy" makes it clear that the song is rooted deeply in a specific, personal experience, even though he is known to be a very private and elusive artist that rarely speaks about the inspiration behind his music. Still, the feeling behind "Ivy" is universal and largely speaks for itself.

"Ivy" feels like an ode to a first love and a first heartbreak. It vividly captures the highs and lows of being young and in love for the first time. There's a bittersweet nostalgia throughout, as he yearns for a time and a version of themselves that no longer exists. "You ain't a kid no more, we'll never be those kids again," he sings in the chorus.

Despite the heartbreak, there's no hard feelings. "Ooh, I could hate you now, it's quite alright to hate me now, but we both know that deep down the feeling still deep down is good." The complexity of a love and connection that continues to linger is so thoughtfully depicted. 

A flood of emotions comes in at the end of the song where he sings in the bridge, "I broke your heart last week, you'll probably feel better by the weekend. Still remember, had you going crazy, screamin' my name, the feeling deep down is good."

The emotional complexity of "Ivy" lies in its ability to reflect on a past love with such nuance,  acknowledging both the lingering presence of that person and the weight of their absence. Frank Ocean captures this tension with heartbreaking clarity, making the song feel emotionally charged in the most beautiful way.

Check out more from my song of the week series here. ☆ Thanks for reading!


Photo Credit: Wolfgang Tillmans, Frank Ocean, Boys Don't Cry, Sony Music


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