Frank Ocean’s ‘Blonde’ Songwriting Credits Surface

Carl Williott | September 14, 2016 3:38 pm

Poring over album credits immediately after a major release has become a great pastime. And yet, we’re nearly a month removed from the release of Frank Ocean‘s Blonde, and we’ve been deprived of that thrilling hobby. A list of “album contributors” was printed in the accompanying Boys Don’t Cry zine, but it was presented in alphabetical order with no indication about roles on specific tracks. Today, though, Pitchfork discovered that songwriting credits for much of the album have appeared in the database for royalty tracking organization ASCAP.

Among the artists listed are Kendrick Lamar, The Beatles (twice), Pharrell, Elliott Smith, James Blake, Jamie xx, Gang Of Four, his Channel Orange producer Om’Mas Keith and his Odd Future pal Tyler, the Creator (twice). Thirteen of the 17 tracks have credits listed as of this writing; the personnel for “Self Control,” “Good Guy,” “Facebook Story” and “Close To You” is still a mystery.

Perhaps now that the credits are out, that’s why some of the album’s tracks were seemingly embargoed on Spotify today? Regardless, check out the incomplete list of available credits and samples below.

1. “Nikes” Frank Ocean Om’Mas Keith Carl Palmer Harry Palmer Jeff Palmer

(Contains a sample of 1968 song “The Champ,” which was written by the Palmers as The Palmer Brothers.)

2. “Ivy” Frank Ocean Rostam Batmanglij Om’Mas Keith Jamie xx

3. “Pink + White” Frank Ocean Om’Mas Keith Tyler, the Creator Pharrell Williams

4. “Be Yourself” Frank Ocean Om’Mas Keith

5. “Solo” Frank Ocean Mikey Alfred Dave Allen Hugo Burnham Jon King Sage Elsesser Om’Mas Keith 88-Keys Todd Rundgren Rho Spearman

(Contains a sample of “Flamingo” by Todd Rundgren.)

6. “Skyline To” Frank Ocean Om’Mas Keith Kendrick Lamar Tyler, the Creator

7. “Self Control” none listed

8. “Good Guy” none listed

9. “Nights” Frank Ocean Om’Mas Keith Buddy Ross Michael Uzowuru Vegyn

10. “Solo (Reprise)” Andre 3000

11. “Pretty Sweet” Frank Ocean Om’Mas Keith

12. “Facebook Story” none listed

(French producer SebastiAn told Pitchfork he is the speaker on the track, and Buddy Ross told Pitchfork he handled the keyboard parts.)

13. “Close To You” none listed

14. “White Ferrari” Frank Ocean James Blake Om’Mas Keith John Lennon Paul McCartney

(Contains an interpolation of The Beatles’ “Here, There And Everywhere.”)

15. “Seigfried” Frank Ocean Om’Mas Keith George Harrison John Lennon Paul McCartney Ringo Starr Elliott Smith

(Contains a sample of The Beatles’ “Flying” and interpolates Elliott Smith’s “A Fond Farewell”)

16. “Godspeed” Frank Ocean Kim Burrell Om’Mas Keith Elliott Smith

17. “Futura Free” Frank Ocean Mikey Alfred Dave Allen Hugo Burnham Sage Elsesser Andy Gill Om’Mas Keith Jon King

(Contains a sample of Gang of Four’s “Love Like Anthrax.”)