We All Try

Frank Ocean · Nostalgia Ultra [2011]

i believe jehovah jireh

i believe there's heaven

i believe in war

i believe a woman's temple

gives her the right to choose

but baby don't abort

i believe that marriage isn't

between a man & woman

but between love and love

and i believe you when you say that

you've lost all faith

but you must believe in something

something something

you gotta believe in something

something something



i still believe in man

a wise one asked me why

cause i just don't believe we're wicked

i know that we sin but i do believe we try

we all try

the girls try

the boys try

women try

men try

you and i

try try we all try



i don't believe in time travel

i don't believe our nation's flag is on the moon

i don't believe our lives are simple

and i don't believe they're short

this is interlude

i don't believe my hands are cleanly

can't believe that you would

let me touch your heart

she didn't believe me when i said that

i lost my faith

said you must believe in something

something something

you gottta believe in something

something something



i still believe in man

a wise one asked me why

cause i just don't believe we're wicked

i know that we sin but i do believe we try

we all try

the girls try

the boys try

women try

men try

you and i

try try we all try

We All Try

Frank Ocean's 'We All Try' serves as a haunting centerpiece on the 2011 album Nostalgia Ultra. Released during a pivotal era for R&B and neo-soul, the track exemplifies Ocean's signature ability to blend ethereal vocals with introspective lyricism. The recording captures a moment of quiet vulnerability, characteristic of his work on Nostalgia Ultra, which stands apart from the more polished production of Channel Orange. By weaving together themes of human connection and the universal struggle to maintain composure, the song reinforces Ocean's reputation as a visionary artist who prioritizes emotional authenticity over conventional pop structures. It remains a defining track in his discography, reflecting the raw, atmospheric sound that would later influence a new generation of musicians.