Oh, it was the first time I fell in love
the first time I felt my heart
it was the first time I sang out loud all through the night
but before I knew I was lost,
before I knew I was a prisioner
and I still can't find a way to make it right

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Basia Bulat's Before I Knew talks about the experience of falling in love for the first time, but not realizing the consequences that come with it. The singer reminisces on the first time she felt her heart, and how it made her sing out loud all through the night. However, she acknowledges that before she knew it, she was lost and became a prisoner to the emotions that came with love. Despite this realization, the singer still struggles to find a way to make things right.

The lyrics are relatable to anyone who has experienced the feeling of falling in love for the first time. It talks about the exhilaration and excitement that come with it, but also the uncertainty and confusion that can follow. The singer's admission of feeling lost and being a prisoner to love shows how powerful and overwhelming love can be. The last line of the chorus, "and I still can't find a way to make it right," demonstrates the struggle and difficulty that can come with balancing the intense emotions that come with first love.

Overall, Before I Knew is a reflective and sentimental song that captures the emotional rollercoaster that comes with falling in love for the first time.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, it was the first time I fell in love
It was the beginning of my journey to discover love and all that it entails.

the first time I felt my heart
I experienced emotions that I had never felt before, making me feel alive in a new way.

it was the first time I sang out loud all through the night
I was so overwhelmed with joy that it led me to express myself passionately through music.

but before I knew I was lost,
Suddenly, I realized that I had been swept off my feet and had lost control.

before I knew I was a prisioner
I was trapped and powerless, unable to resist the strong hold that love had over me.

and I still can't find a way to make it right
Even though time has passed, I still struggle with finding a solution to the problems that arose from that profound love that first took hold of me.

Contributed by Lucas S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

Nemesis7293

14y↑3

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!! for uploading this. FINALLY!!!, a GOOD QUALITY FULL version of Basia's "Before I Knew"!!!! It sounds great and I'm eating it up! Love, love, love you!

Tim

9y↑3

One of the best songs ever!

calibornfish

13y↑1

love this song

Jerri Blank

11y↑2

anyone else reminded of Neko Case, Brandi Carlisle(sp), or Natalie Merchant? I like all of them, and Basia is original....Just hearing these ladies in her voice/style. I like it!