First It Giveth
Queens of the Stone Age Lyrics
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I can't tell
You're so cruel, more than me
It is true (that's right)
Loyal to only you, up your sleeve
I want some (come on, take it)
Of all of you (it's yours)
Trickin' me
First it giveth, then it taketh away
First it giveth, then it taketh away
First it giveth, then it taketh away
First it giveth, then it taketh away
I would beg and I would plead
I would shake
On a hook, dangling, wide awake
I'm so young
And beautiful (that's right, I'm slick)
I'm no fool
Time goes by, tables turn
All I know
First it giveth, then it taketh away
First it giveth, then it taketh away
First it giveth, then it taketh away
First it giveth, then it taketh away
First it giveth, then it taketh away
First it giveth, then it taketh away
Away, away
In "First It Giveth," Queens of the Stone Age lead singer Josh Homme sings of being caught up in a toxic relationship. The opening lyrics "I'm in you, You're in me, I can't tell" suggest that the singer has lost his sense of self and become enmeshed with his partner. The next lines "You're so cruel, More than me, It is true" suggests that the partner is manipulative and possibly abusive. The lyrics "Loyal to, Only you, Up your sleeve, I want some" show that despite the cruelty, the singer is still drawn to this partner and perhaps seeking their approval. The lines "Trickin' me, First it give'th, Then it take'th away" shows that the partner is unpredictable, sometimes giving love or affection, and sometimes taking it away.
The chorus, which features the repetition of "First it give'th, Then it take'th away," is a mantra that captures the emotional roller-coaster of such a relationship. The rest of the lyrics describe the singer's willingness to endure the emotional pain inflicted by his partner, even to the point of begging, pleading, or being "on a hook," all while convinced of his youth and beauty. The final lines, "Time goes by, Tables turn, Now I know" suggests that the singer has finally recognized the toxicity of the relationship and may be ready to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in you
I am deeply connected to you
You're in me
You too feel the connection between us
I can't tell
I am not sure whether the connection is mutual or one-sided
You're so cruel
You are harsher than I am
More than me
In comparison to me
It is true
That is a fact
That's right
I am confident that what I am saying is accurate
Loyal to
Dedicated and committed to
Only you
Exclusively to you
Up your sleeve
Keeping something hidden or secret
I want some (come on, take it)
I desire something from you and I am urging you to give it to me
Of all of you (it's yours)
I want all of your attention or affection and it belongs to me
Trickin' me
Deceiving or playing games with me
First it give'th
Initially, it provides or grants
Then it take'th away
But at a later time, it withdraws or removes what it gave
I would beg
I would humbly request
I would plead
I would earnestly appeal
I would shake
I would quiver or tremble with fear or anxiety
On a hook
Trapped or caught in a disadvantageous position
Dangling
Suspended or hanging loosely
By the way
Incidentally or by chance
I'm so young
I am inexperienced and naive
And beautiful
But I hold a certain allure or attractiveness
(That's right)
And that is an indisputable fact
(I'm slick)
I am a smooth and cunning operator
I'm no fool
I may be young and beautiful, but I am not easily tricked
Time goes by
As time passes
Tables turn
The situation can completely reverse
Now I know
I have gained some insight and understanding
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Josh Homme, Nick Oliveri
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Raydio6
Just took my lady to experience Queens for the first time at the Bill Gram Civic in SF tonight 10/6/23
That’s like 20 years after this concert(guessing) and they rocked it better than ever
She loved it I loved it!
Been to quite a few QOTSA concerts
They have never once let me down!
Thanks guys
You made the first real date with the Mrs after two kids and 5 years an awesome one ❤
@henriqueramos3197
"First It Giveth"
I'm in you
You're in me
I can't tell
You're so cruel
More than me
It is true
That's right
Loyal to
Only you
Up your sleeve
I want some (come on, take it)
of all of you (it's yours)
Trickin me
First it giveth
Then it taketh away
I would beg
I would plead
I would shake
On a hook
Dangling
By the way
I'm so young
And beautiful
(That's right)
(I'm slick)
I'm no fool
Time goes by
Tables turn
Now I know
First it giveth
Then it taketh away
@urbanzero2997
"I would" repeats (technically counts as rhyming)
Slant rhymes:
plead and (dang)-ling have the same -ee sound
shake and way have the same -ay sound
so and alone have the same -oh sound
Beautiful and Fool is a syllabic rhyme (and kind of a head rhyme since -ful and fool start with the same letter)
There's plenty of rhyming in there, but yeah not just going with simplistic tail rhymes does make it sound better
@thenorthernenglishman9698
I'm in you
You're in me
I can't tell
You're so cruel
More than me
It is true
That's right
Loyal to
Only you
Up your sleeve
I want some (come on, take it)
Of all of you (it's yours)
Trickin' me
First it give'th
Then it take'th away x4
I would beg
I would plead
I would shake
On a hook
Dangling
By the way
I'm so young
And beautiful
(That's right)
(I'm slick)
I'm no fool
Time goes by
Tables turn
Now I know
First it give'th
Then it take'th away x6
Away x2
@jon-umber
Easily one of the best rock albums of the past 20 years.
@joaquinmelgar1806
A weboooooo
@APAL880
my favorite ever.
@PHILDEBEAST
It's a great album.
@zubas88
Seems you dont know Kyuss.
@TheViral64
@@zubas88 Kyuss is good, but compared to QOTSA it ain't better.
@Rayruit
My son was 4 back then. Headbanging in the back seat of my car. I played this album at least 500 times.
He is 22 now.
And he loves me for it. It's nostalgia for him, he says.
@sophiew1967
Good parenting!..he'll love ❤ you for it !
@n_xpz6623
u have raised ur son very well 👍
@treegrims5829
Man
I am old