"Thinkin Bout You" is a song by American singer Frank Ocean, released as the lead single from his debut studio album Channel Orange (2012).

Originally to be featured on Bridget Kelly's debut album, Ocean released his demo version of the track for free on his Tumblr account in 2011.

The song received highly positive reviews from music critics, who praised the atmospheric production, Ocean's falsetto and writing ability.

In early 2011, Roc Nation recording artist Bridget Kelly and her production team had approached Frank Ocean to write a song for her debut studio album.

[8][failed verification] On March 8, 2012, a re-mastered version of the song premiered on IHeartRadio, intended to be the lead single from Ocean's debut album.

[16] MTV columnist Jenna Hally Rubenstein likens Ocean's singing on "Thinkin Bout You" to Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake, and Maxwell.

[21] Following Ocean's revelation that he has been attracted to people of the same sex, some critics noted that lines such as "my eyes don't shed tears, but boy they pour when I'm thinkin bout you" had another additional message, expressing his own thoughts on love.

[25] About Ocean's writing, Pitchfork Media's Jordan Sargent stated that the "strength of his songwriting is his ability to make the unfamiliar feel intensely personal, as if you're a friend that has long known all the particulars of his relationships.

The yearning in his falsetto is almost palpable as he flips gender roles and admits that he's been "thinking about forever," while simultaneously questioning if the "girl" even had that kinda thing on her mind.

"[14] Erika Ramirez of Billboard wrote that the track "gives prominence to his songwriting prowess and sonic versatility, as he intertwines the parallel styles of soul, R&B, jazz and even a bit of funk.

"[26] The track telepathically serenades the person who took Ocean's virginity, and in the "motel room of memories Frank talks eternal love, breaking into a sublime Maxwell-esque falsetto that makes a good case for restoring the style to contemporary mainstream R&B.

Sputnikmusic's Sobhi Youssef praised the track, commenting that Ocean's ability to "emote within the confines of a ballad without making it saccharine or cheesy is nearly unparalleled by any of his contemporaries", citing "Thinkin Bout You" as the framework of most of the album.

[18] Pitchfork Media critic Jordan Sargent praised the song, and wrote "this isn't a tale of bedroom triumph; instead it's a beguiling sketch of a relationship just out of his reach.

"[16] MTV journalist Jenna Hally commented that Ocean had a "surprisingly gorgeous falsetto" and "retains Frank's classic laid-back and relaxed R&B vibe.

"[28] John Calvert of The Quietus described "Thinkin Bout You" as a "slow-release torch song the colour of caramel and bathed in low voltage lighting, a buzzing but soothing synth cycle and muffled beats evoke touching and kissing in a velveteen womb.

"[29] Rolling Stone writer Jody Rosen described the song as "woozy", featuring Ocean's "falsetto rippling over murmuring electronic percussion".

"[30] Hayley Louise Brown of Clash viewed the song as an important part of the album, musing "opening with a reworked version of heartbreaking ballad 'Thinking About You' and an instant confrontation with the full force of Ocean's vocal range, the whole record echoes with extra terrestrial Odd Future synths and clumsy piano chords.

[33] MSN Music's Danielle Cheesman felt that Ocean did his followers a service by featuring the song as the album's opener, describing the track as "the year-old spacey serenade to a boy that became a fan favorite.

[36]Complex named the track the fourth best song of 2011, writing that "Ocean's voice explores those awkward spaces in a new relationship, making the eternal lover's questions sound new and urgent.

It's a surprisingly filmic effort, with a sepia mid-century creepiness that calls to mind Mad Men plus Justified, with a little Walking Dead thrown in for good measure.

"[42] Prefix Magazine gave the video a positive review, writing "the vid sets Ocean's doe-eyed crooning against something of an inter-dimensional love story, that or a dreamcatcher-inspired fever dream.

[51] Electronic artist SBTRKT released a remixed version of the track onto his own personal SoundCloud account, announcing "did this whilst on tour...not mixed or official".