SynthiaRose said:

I don't know how you read what I wrote and felt Frank simply echoed a dynamic. But I dont' care to convince you!

The appropriation of mainstream characters and stories from one genre to another and from one creator to another has been used across many art forms from paintings to music to theatre to film itself. It's not trite, either because it isn't simple mimicry or echo as you claim. That's pretty blind and short-sighted.

And I'm not sure why you mentioned what many others feel. They likely haven't read deeply into the song and remain on the surface willfully rejecting subtext as you do. Carry on.

Just like my briliant Darth Vader song?

Frank using Forrest Gump as a point of reference in the song is no different that what songwriters have done for years. Heck rappers have aliased themselves with character names from popular culture for the past decade or so(Jay Z - Jayhova(Jehovah), Nas - Escobar). As for inspiration it's about a situation that he(Frank Ocean) was in and dealt with. You can't get more inspired than that. If it doesn't resonate something within the listener then it doesn't lessen what led him to the lyrics. If you find a song written by a team of people and sung by someone who had nothing to do with it's creation then throw that word "uninspired" around freely. Frank's inspirationmay not move you but it's there.

His without a doubt a talented songwriter but other areas are lacking such as the voice and performances. He has the voice where he could get away with it if he works on his performances.

HonestMan13 said:

Frank using Forrest Gump as a point of reference in the song is no different that what songwriters have done for years. Heck rappers have aliased themselves with character names from popular culture for the past decade or so(Jay Z - Jayhova(Jehovah), Nas - Escobar). As for inspiration it's about a situation that he(Frank Ocean) was in and dealt with. You can't get more inspired than that. If it doesn't resonate something within the listener then it doesn't lessen what led him to the lyrics. If you find a song written by a team of people and sung by someone who had nothing to do with it's creation then throw that word "uninspired" around freely. Frank's inspirationmay not move you but it's there.

You understand he's just restating the only meaning that is there in the movie right? It's like listening to a mindless person comment on a movie while he's watching it, just restating what anyone can see.

It hasn't been turned into anything poetic, interesting, inciteful, new, clever, or in any way shows any kind of skill or talent. It's like a synopsis of the situation, as is, in the movie.

It's like if someone asked there drunk uncle to make up a poem, and Forrest Gump happened to be on the tv, so he just said what he saw.

So you like the Darth Vader lyrics? It was inspired. It resonates, right?

Actually it really does hold more meaning than the lyrics of "Forrest Gump". Especially if you take it to also be a metaphor for a modern young soldier addressing the president.

[Edited 2/21/13 8:45am]

I don't get the hype about this guy. I've seen some videos and tv appearances and he doesn't do much for me. Talented? Barely!

I think all the hype is the fact that he came out and said he was gay.