“Forrest Gump” by Frank Ocean
This song isn’t that complicated lyrically but features a bunch of innuendos. First is that it is in fact loosely based on the album it is named after, 1994’s “Forrest Gump”. And Ocean seems to take on the role of an undisclosed character in the film itself. In other words he is singing to and about “Forrest Gump”.
Now the common understanding is who he is representing character-wise is Jenny, Forrest Gump’s romantic interest in the film. Jenny, of course, is a woman.
Now for those who may feel it is unorthodox for a male singer to portray the role of female, it should also be noted that around the same time this song was released, Frank more or less came out as gay. Or rather he admitted, via a letter he publicized, that the first time he fell in love it was in fact with another man. And to make a long story short, things did not work out between them as Frank had idealized. So the way this song is usually interpreted is that whereas Frank may be Jenny, that other man is the titular Forrest Gump. And throughout the song Ocean is using metaphors, many of which are directly related to the movie, to point to the idea of him chasing this particular romantic interest but being unable to secure him.
So by the time the finale rolls around he seems to have made peace with the situation, instead making expressions like he “won’t forget” this individual as opposed to continuing to chase him. And interesting to note is that such is more or less the concluding sentiment of his aforementioned letter also.
So once again, that is how this song is commonly interpreted. The addressee is actually Frank Ocean’s first love. And he used “Forrest Gump”, a character who is portrayed as always being on the run, as a metaphor for this lover who has also effectively alluded him.
Quick Facts about “Forrest Gump”
Frank Ocean and Malay both served as writers and producers of this track.
And the other producer is a musician by the name of Om’Mas Keith, another of Frank’s regular collaborators.
This song was released by Def Jam Records on 10 July 2012 as a feature on the playlist of Frank Ocean’s debut album, “Channel Orange”.
