The First Cut Is The Deepest
Cat Stevens Lyrics


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I would have given you all of my heart
But there's someone who's torn it apart
And she's taken almost all that I've got
But if you want, I'll try to love again
Baby, I'll try to love again, but I know

The first cut is the deepest, baby, I know
The first cut is the deepest
'Cause when it comes to being lucky, she's cursed
When it comes to lovin' me, she's worst
But when it comes to being loved she's first
That's how I know

The first cut is the deepest, baby, I know
The first cut is the deepest

I still want you by my side
Just to help me dry the tears that I've cried
'Cause I'm sure gonna give you a try
And if you want, I'll try to love again
But baby, I'll try to love again, but I know

The first cut is the deepest, baby, I know
The first cut is the deepest

'Cause when it comes to being lucky, she's cursed
When it comes to lovin' me, she's worst
But when it comes to being loved, she's first
That's how I know

The first cut is the deepest, baby, I know
The first cut is the deepest

Baby, I know, the first cut is the deepest, baby, I know
The first cut is the deepest

'Cause when it comes to being lucky, she's cursed
When it comes to lovin' me, she's worst
But when it comes to being loved, she's first
That's how I know





The first cut is the deepest, baby, I know

Overall Meaning

In "The First Cut Is The Deepest," Cat Stevens sings about the heartbreak caused by a previous lover. He laments how she has taken almost all that he has and that he would have given her all of his heart. Stevens then expresses his fear of opening up to love again, but reassures his new lover that he'll try. Despite this, he knows that the wound caused by his previous lover will always be there because the first cut is the deepest.


Stevens uses the metaphor of a cut to describe the emotional pain caused by his previous lover. The first cut left the deepest mark, which foreshadows the idea that every future love will not be the same as the first one. His previous lover was a curse when it came to her luck, which likely refers to her ability to hurt him. She was the worst at loving him, but when it came to being loved, she was first in line. This suggests that his heart still yearns for her, and he is struggling to move on. Despite this, he reassures his new lover that he'll try to open himself up to love again, but he knows the first cut will always be the deepest.


Overall, "The First Cut Is The Deepest" is a bittersweet love song that touches on themes of heartbreak, love, and moving on. Stevens' lyrics perfectly capture the emotional tornado that follows when love is lost, and the pains of trying to move on.


Line by Line Meaning

I would have given you all of my heart
I was willing to give you my entire heart and love.


But there's someone who's torn it apart
Someone else has hurt me deeply.


And she's taken almost all that I've got
That person has taken a large part of me, leaving me broken.


But if you want, I'll try to love again
Despite my pain, I am willing to give love another chance with you.


Baby, I'll try to love again, but I know
I will try to love you, but I am aware that it will be difficult for me to fully let go of the past.


The first cut is the deepest, baby, I know
The first time someone hurts you deeply leaves a lasting impact on your heart.


The first cut is the deepest
The initial hurt and pain are the most significant ones.


'Cause when it comes to being lucky, she's cursed
In terms of luck, the person who hurt me has always been unfortunate.


When it comes to lovin' me, she's worst
The person who hurt me has been the worst at loving me.


But when it comes to being loved she's first
Despite being bad at loving, that person was the first to be loved by me.


That's how I know
My previous experiences make me understand that the first person to hurt me left a deep wound.


I still want you by my side
Despite my reservations, I still desire a relationship with you.


Just to help me dry the tears that I've cried
I need your help to move on from the hurt and pain I have experienced.


'Cause I'm sure gonna give you a try
I am willing to take a chance on you and give our relationship a try.


And if you want, I'll try to love again
If you are willing, I am willing to give love another chance with you.


Baby, I'll try to love again, but I know
I am willing to try, but I am still cautious due to my past experiences.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Yusuf Islam

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@tarp11z

I would have given you all of my heart
But there's someone who's torn it apart
And she's taken almost all that I've got
But if you want, I'll try to love again
Baby, I'll try to love again, but I know

The first cut is the deepest, baby, I know
The first cut is the deepest
'Cause when it comes to being lucky, she's cursed
When it comes to lovin' me, she's worst
But when it comes to being loved she's first
That's how I know

The first cut is the deepest, baby, I know
The first cut is the deepest

I still want you by my side
Just to help me dry the tears that I've cried
'Cause I'm sure gonna give you a try
And if you want, I'll try to love again
But baby, I'll try to love again, but I know

The first cut is the deepest, baby, I know
The first cut is the deepest

'Cause when it comes to being lucky, she's cursed
When it comes to lovin' me, she's worst
But when it comes to being loved, she's first
That's how I know

The first cut is the deepest, baby, I know
The first cut is the deepest

Baby, I know, the first cut is the deepest, baby, I know
The first cut is the deepest

'Cause when it comes to being lucky, she's cursed
When it comes to lovin' me, she's worst
But when it comes to being loved, she's first
That's how I know

The first cut is the deepest, baby, I know



All comments from YouTube:

@ElizaDolittle

For those who are saying that Cat Stevens is underrated - he most certainly was NOT. He was a huge, huge success. Everyone knew he was special. I think it was because he gave up his music for his faith early on that the industry and people for a while forgot about him. But he was big back in the day. I have recently rediscovered him. Love his song Father and Son!!!

@garyhartman2373

You get it....AMEN😊

@anthonymaye597

I bought the albums "Tea for the tillerman" and "Teaser and the firecat" in the 70s. Both are still brilliant

@jgsrhythm100

He's underrated now is I believe what they mean. Not as many are as familiar as other artists from the era.

@lildannefantom6195

It's Yusuf

@stricknine8623

So he is OVER-RATED !

6 More Replies...

@ellenhilts-gossett4108

Cat Stevens is (I think) one of the most underrated singer/songwriters in rock history. Because he's a bit shy and awkward but awesomely talented, he may not get the attention he deserves (or attention for all the wrong reasons). His music is beautiful, gentle, thoughtful and a bit playful. I love you, Cat!

@karenronan4825

Ellen Hilts-Gossett When I was a teenager he was a huge star! I had all his albums and had a big crush on him. But even I got tired of "Morning Has Broken" that was played endlessly wherever you went.

@GoeienAsiet

Ellen Hilts-Gossett This song has over 7 million views. Thus, I wouldn't call it underrated.

@ellenhilts-gossett4108

GoeienAsiet Why not go see how many views Rod Stewart's version of the same song has? (Stewart did a cover version.)

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