Frank Ocean
Feb 6, 2013
After Frank Ocean's previous track, "Novacane" started picking up more and more airplay, Frank released some new music, a song titled "Thinkin Bout You", even though Def Jam didn't release Ocean's "Nostalgia, Lite" back on July 26th, they did release this new single as a teaser to their future plans for Frank Ocean.
"Thinkin Bout You" was released as the lead single from Ocean's debut studio album Channel Orange (2012). The song was written by Ocean and produced by Shea Taylor. Originally to be featured on Bridget Kelly's debut album, Ocean released his original version of the track for free on his tumblr. In May of 2012, the song was officially sent to radio and released onto iTunes as a single by Ocean. Kelly would later release her own version of the track entitled "Thinking Bout Forever".
Lyrically, the track is about a relationship just out of his reach and the turmoil that ensues. The track also explores feelings of regret and heartbreak. The song received highly positive reviews from music critics, who praised the atmospheric production, Ocean's falsetto and writing ability. Some critics noted the possible bisexual undertones featured on the track (as stated above, however, the song was initially intended as a demo version of a song for a female singer, Bridget Kelly). Complex magazine named it the fourth best track of 2011.
The song has since peaked at number 7 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. 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, 117 on the UK Singles Chart and 25 on the UK R&B singles chart. "Thinkin Bout You" has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, for shipments of 500,000 copies in the United States.