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First It Giveth
Queens of the Stone Age Lyrics


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I'm in you, now 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
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

Overall Meaning

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.


Interesting Facts:


Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.


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
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Cristián Venegas

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



Ricardo Mephistto

LYRICS


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
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



Lisa Robinson

Lyrics ~
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

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



All comments from YouTube:

Blue Jay

I was at a Metallica concert last night and this song is one of the songs that played over the speakers before they came out. Out of all the songs Metallica sang, this is the song I remember the most and they didn’t even sing it. I think it was the chorus that made me remember this song. I never heard it before and I wanted to know what it was so I looked on the internet for about an hour that night (last night) and finally found it.

VolutedMetal85

I'm seeing Metallica a week from now! It would be absolutely killer if this was played over the PA! I would absolutely lose my shit hearing this!

Matheus

This is another proof that Metallica sucks

MessyGamez

You need to hear the whole album man! It's simply amazing.

speed kingLTHL1882

@Matheus first four albums were tight. Then they sold out. Simple

Vicho

@speed kingLTHL1882 how lmao

4 More Replies...

Dom

One of the best rock choruses ever

MyInferno13

yup.

Michael Graham

your profile pic is from an awesome album.

Dom

+Michael Graham pretty much

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