Pyramids

Frank Ocean

About Pyramids

"Pyramids" is a song by American singer Frank Ocean, released as the second single from his debut studio album Channel Orange (2012). The song was written by Ocean and produced by Malay and Om'Mas Keith. The track features an uncredited guitar solo from singer John Mayer. On June 7, 2012, Ocean posted a small teaser video featuring a snippet of the song onto his Tumblr account, and released the full, nearly 10-minute song later that day onto his official SoundCloud account. The song explores a narrative of a pimp falling in love with one of his clients. The track lyrically contains several extended metaphors referencing Cleopatra, pyramids, and strip clubs. The song received highly positive reviews and was called epic in nature by several publications, who praised the ambition and scope of the track's length, along with the lyrical merit. The song was featured in a teaser for Ocean's then-upcoming album and was released with a cover that featured The Simpsons style characters. The music video was directed by Nabil Elderkin and featured an orange car with an atmospheric background. The song has since debuted on the UK R&B Chart at number 31. The track has been featured during television promos for Channel Orange. Ocean performed "Pyramids" during his Channel Orange tour through North America. 


Year:
2013
3:59
503 
#4

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Set the cheetahs on the loose
There's a thief out on the move
Underneath our legion's view
They have taken Cleopatra

Run run run, come back for my glory
Bring her back to me
Run run run, the crown of our pharaoh
The throne of our queen is empty

We'll run to the future, shining like diamonds
In a rocky world, rocky rocky world
Our skin like bronze and our hair like cashmere
As we march to rhythm on the palace floor
Chandeliers inside the pyramid, tremble from the force
Cymbals crash inside the pyramid, voices fill up the halls

Set the cheetahs on the loose
There's a thief out on the move
Underneath our legion's view
They have taken Cleopatra, Cleopatra

The jewel of Africa
What good is a jewel that ain't still precious?
How could you run off on me? How could you run off on us?
You feel like God inside that gold
I found you laying down with Samson and his full head of hair
Found my black queen Cleopatra, bad dreams, Cleopatra

Remove her, send the cheetahs to the tomb
Our war is over, our queen has met her doom
No more she lives no more serpent in her room
No more it has killed Cleopatra, Cleopatra

Big sun coming strong through the motel blinds
Wake up to your girl for now, let's call her Cleopatra
I watch you fix your hair
Then put your panties on in the mirror, Cleopatra
Then your lipstick, Cleopatra
Then your six-inch heels
Catch her
She's headed to the pyramid
She's working at the pyramid tonight

Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight

Pimping in my convos
Bubbles in my champagne
Let it be some jazz playing
Top floor motel suite twisting my cigars
Floor model TV with the VCR
Got rubies in my damn chain
Whip ain't got no gas tank
But it still got wood grain
Got your girl working for me
Hit the strip and my bills paid
That keep my bills paid
Hit the strip and my bills paid
Keep a nigga bills paid
She's working at the pyramid tonight

She's working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight

You showed up after work I'm bathing your body
Touch you in places only I know
You're wet and you're warm just like our bathwater
Can we make love before you go
The way you say my name makes me feel like
I'm that nigga
But I'm still unemployed
You say it's big but you take it
Ride cowgirl
But your love ain't free no more
But your love ain't free no more

She's working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight
Working at the pyramid
Working at the pyramid tonight

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Frank Ocean

Christopher Francis Ocean (born Christopher Breaux; October 28, 1987), better known by his stage name Frank Ocean, is an American singer-songwriter from New Orleans, Louisiana. Ocean's early career was as a ghostwriter for artists such as Brandy, Justin Bieber, and John Legend. In 2010, he became a member of alternative hip hop collective OFWGKTA, and his debut mixtape, Nostalgia, Ultra, was released the following year to critical acclaim. He released two singles: "Novacane" and 'Swim Good", which both achieved chart success. The mixtape gained the interest of recording artists such as Kanye West, Beyoncé Knowles and Jay-Z, and he consequently appeared on West and Jay-Z's Watch the Throne album. more »

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Written by: Taylor Scott Johnson, Christopher Breaux, James Ryan Wuithun Ho

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Downtown Music Publishing

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Details
"Pyramids" is a song by American singer Frank Ocean from his debut studio album, "Channel Orange". The song was released as the album's second single on June 7, 2012.
Length and Structure
The song is nearly 10 minutes long, making it an unusually elongated piece for a pop album. It is split into two distinct sections - the first half is a breezy R&B tune about a rich and prosperous Egyptian queen, while the second half is a melancholic melody about a modern striptease dancer.
Production Process
The song was produced by Frank Ocean himself and Om'Mas Keith. It involved diverse effects, instrumentation and solos giving it a multilayered finish with elements of psychedelic music, electronica and funk.
Use of Symbolism
In "Pyramids", Ocean uses the symbol of a pyramid to connect the ancient story of Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt, with contemporary tales of black female sexuality and power.
Critical Reception
The song was lauded by critics for its ambitious narrative and layout, earning it a spot on several year-end best song lists. It was described by some as Ocean's most outlandish and extravagant song.
Music Video
The music video for "Pyramids" was released on September 16, 2012, and directed by Nabil Elderkin. It features a cameo from John Mayer, who played the guitar for the song, and shows Ocean riding a motorcycle through a desert to a strip club.
Performance
Frank Ocean performed "Pyramids" live for the first time on 'Saturday Night Live' in September 2012, with John Mayer joining him on guitar.
Influence
"Pyramids" has been cited as influencing the genre-blending trend in R&B and pop music that continued throughout the 2010s.
Sample Usage
The song “End” from the same album, "Channel Orange", samples audio from the “Pyramids” music video.
Chart Performance
Despite its long duration, "Pyramids" debuted at number 82 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also appeared on various other music charts worldwide.

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