"Solo"
Song by Frank Ocean
from the album Blonde
ReleasedAugust 20, 2016 (2016-08-20)
GenreAlternative R&B
Length4:17
LabelBoys Don't Cry
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

"Solo" is a song by American R&B singer Frank Ocean, released as a part of his 2016 studio album Blonde. Ocean wrote the song with frequent collaborator Malay Ho[citation needed], and produced it with English musician James Blake. The song features additional vocals by American singer Jazmine Sullivan, who previously appeared on Ocean's visual album Endless. The track charted at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, despite not being released as a single.

Background

"Solo" features additional vocals by American singer Jazmine Sullivan, who provided vocals for four tracks on Endless: "Hublots", "Alabama", "Wither" and "Rushes".

Composition and lyrics

"Solo" is an alternative R&B song that features church organs played by James Blake.[1] The key signature is 3 flats and is played in the key of E♭ major.[2][3] Ocean sings in falsetto.[4] The track addresses the pain of living a solo life through a coming of age perspective while maintaining an upbeat sound.[5] The title is a double entendre. It can be interpreted as 'solo' as in alone or 'so low' as in feeling sad.[6] Similar to Ocean's song Novacane, the title word "Solo" is sung receptively. Katharine Gardias of California Polytechnic State University interprets this as a way "to emphasize its meaning".[3]

In the lyrics "inhale, in hell, there's heaven", Ocean explores a non-traditional view of hell and heaven. Katharine Gardias of California Polytechnic State University interprets this line as Ocean getting high in order to see the good in "the worst situations".[3] Ryan Dombal of Pitchfork refers to this line as "the smoked-out emptiness".[7] In the second verse of the track Ocean shifts to the harsh reality of being alone. Donna-Claire Chesman of DJBooth interprets his lyric "I'm skipping showers and switching socks, sleeping good and long" "as an allusion to feeling depressed".[8]

Critical reception

In a positive critique of the song, Ryan Dombal of Pitchfork calls 'Solo' "a stunning piece of songwriting that ultimately finds some peace with being alone. It sounds like a friend".[7] Donna-Claire Chesman of DJBooth calls the track "the song you play, really, when you want to surrender".[8] Additionally, Rob Harvilla from the Ringer claims 'Solo' to be "the next great Frank Ocean song".[1] The track was also ranked by Billboard at number 96 on their Billboard Hot 100 chart. In a less positive online review, Chris Author was initially "confused by the randomness of the lyrics".[9]

Cover performances

New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde performed a cover of "Solo" at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC while on her Melodrama World Tour.[10] Lorde has previously mentioned that her album, Melodrama, was inspired by Frank Ocean's album Blonde.[10] Grant Rindner of Complex writes that Lorde makes the song her own by slowing "down the final chorus, wringing every drop of drama from Ocean's celestial and apocalyptic lyrics".[11]

In another cover, American singer-songwriter Halsey posted a cover of "Solo" to her Twitter account on April 24, 2019.[12] The singer mentions in her tweet that she sang the song to herself everyday while on tour, saying it fills her "with the feeling of home".[12] Jordan Darville of Fader writes that Halsey's vocals give the song a "heartwarming boost".[12]

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2016) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[13] 96
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[14] 38

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[15] Gold 45,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[16] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ a b Harvilla, Rob (2016-08-21). "The Next Great Frank Ocean Song Is Finally Here". The Ringer. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
  2. ^ Musescore. "Solo Piano Score - Frank Ocean". Musescore.com. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  3. ^ a b c Gardias, Katharine. "A Dip Into Frank Ocean's Music and Marketing". digitalcommons.calpoly.edu.
  4. ^ "Frank Ocean and Andre 3000 take turns flying "Solo" | Pretty Much Amazing". Retrieved 2021-09-29.
  5. ^ Chatani, Sydney. "Album Review: Frank Ocean's 'Blonde'". UNF Spinnaker. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  6. ^ King, Jason; Powers, Ann (2016-08-22). "Detangling Frank Ocean's 'Blonde': What It Is And Isn't". NPR. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  7. ^ a b "Frank Ocean: Blonde / Endless". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  8. ^ a b Chesman, Donna-Claire. "A Frank Ocean Song for the Morning After a Bar Fight". DJBooth. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  9. ^ Author, Chris (2018-08-02). "Half A Livestream of Dissect's "Solo by Frank Ocean" Episode". Medium. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  10. ^ a b "Watch Lorde Cover Frank Ocean's "Solo"". Pitchfork. 2018-03-02. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  11. ^ "Lorde's Live Cover of Frank Ocean's "Solo" is a Mesmerizing Must-Watch". Complex. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  12. ^ a b c "Halsey shares cover of Frank Ocean's "Solo"". The FADER. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  13. ^ "Frank Ocean Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  14. ^ "Frank Ocean Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  15. ^ "Danish single certifications – Frank Ocean – Solo". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  16. ^ "British single certifications – Frank Ocean – Solo". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
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