Frank Ocean Brings “Bad Religion” To ‘Late Night With Jimmy Fallon’: Watch His TV Debut

Robbie Daw | July 10, 2012 7:17 am

Rather unexpectedly, Frank Ocean‘s Channel Orange LP was made available on iTunes today, a week ahead of its scheduled release date of July 17. (The physical CD is still not out till next week, however.) What we did know about, though, was Ocean’s debut TV performance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. The New Orleans crooner sent the online world into a spin last week by posting an emotional coming-out letter about his first love, who happened to be a man. Naturally, many fans, new and old, were curious to see his first big television performance.

For Fallon’s audience, Frank chose the Channel Orange track “Bad Religion”, which contains the poignant lines, “Taxi driver, I swear I’ve got three lives balanced on my head like steak knives / I can’t tell you the truth about my disguise, I can’t trust no one.” The singer was backed by The Roots on the soulful jam, and the audience clapped along before the drums kicked in.

“Bad Religion” ended with swelling live strings and Frank bowing his head. Then Fallon hopped on stage, and the two shared a hand shake and a hug. It was a touching moment that capped off what was surely a rollercoaster week for the Odd Future member.

What did you think of Frank Ocean’s debut TV performance? Does it have you wanting to pick up a copy of Channel Orange? Let us know below, or by hitting us up on Facebook and Twitter!