One Of These Things First
Garden State Lyrics

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I could have been a sailor, could have been a cook
A real live lover, could have been a book.
I could have been a signpost, could have been a clock
As simple as a kettle, steady as a rock.
I could be
Here and now
I would be, I should be
But how?

I could have been
One of these things first
I could have been
One of these things first.

I could have been your pillar, could have been your door
I could have stayed beside you, could have stayed for more.
Could have been your statue, could have been your friend,
A whole long lifetime could have been the end.
I could be yours so true
I would be, I should be through and through
I could have been
One of these things first
I could have been
One of these things first.

I could have been a whistle, could have been a flute
A real live giver, could have been a boot.
I could have been a signpost, could have been a clock
As simple as a kettle, steady as a rock.
I could be even here
I would be, I should be so near
I could have been
One of these things first

I could have been
One of these things first.

Overall Meaning

The song "One of These Things First" by Garden State is an introspective piece about the many possibilities and potential paths that one could have taken in their life. The lyrics describe the different roles that the singer could have filled - a sailor, a cook, a lover, a book, a signpost, a clock, etc. - and laments the fact that they did not choose those paths. The chorus repeats "I could have been one of these things first," emphasizing the regretful tone of the song.

The second verse continues in this reflective vein, imagining what could have been with the person that the singer addresses as "you." They could have been the person's pillar, door, statue, friend, or partner for a lifetime, but they have failed to be any of those things. The final verse brings the song back to the idea of the singer being a whistle, a flute, a giver, a boot, etc. - things with simple and straightforward purposes - and longing to be something concrete and dependable like a signpost or a kettle. The repeated lines "I could be even here / I would be, I should be so near" express the desire to be present and reliable in the singer's own life and in the life of the person they address.

Line by Line Meaning

I could have been a sailor, could have been a cook
I had the potential to be adventurous or skilled in the kitchen, but I didn't pursue those paths.

A real live lover, could have been a book.
I could have been someone who experiences love deeply, or someone who imparts knowledge, but I haven't followed either route.

I could have been a signpost, could have been a clock
I had the option to serve as a guidepost or to keep time, but I didn't take up either position.

As simple as a kettle, steady as a rock.
I had the capacity to be uncomplicated, yet reliable, but I didn't manifest those traits.

I could be here and now
I am capable of being present in the moment.

I would be, I should be, but how?
I know that I should be present and engaged, but I don't know how to make it happen.

I could have been one of these things first
I could have pursued any of the aforementioned options earlier in life.

I could have been your pillar, could have been your door
I could have been someone who supports and guides you, or someone who provides access to new experiences, but I didn't fulfill those roles.

I could have stayed beside you, could have stayed for more.
I could have remained close to you and cultivated a deeper relationship, but I didn't elect to do so.

Could have been your statue, could have been your friend,
I could have been someone you admired from afar or someone with whom you shared an intimate bond, but I didn't become either type of person.

A whole long lifetime could have been the end.
I could have spent my entire life with you, but that scenario did not play out.

I could be yours so true
I could have been a loyal partner or friend.

I would be, I should be through and through
I acknowledge that I ought to be devoted and genuine in all of my relationships.

I could have been one of these things first
I could have transformed into any of the various entities mentioned in earlier stanzas at an earlier juncture of my life.

I could have been a whistle, could have been a flute
I had the capability to be either a shrill noise-maker or a mellifluous instrument, but I didn't develop any musical talent.

A real live giver, could have been a boot.
I could have been somebody willing to help others or someone practical and grounded, but I didn't manifest those qualities.

I could be even here
I could focus my attention on the present moment.

I would be, I should be so near
I know that I ought to strive to create a closer connection with people, and be more present in their lives.

I could have been one of these things first
I had the potential to embody any of the preceding items earlier in my lifetime.

Contributed by Jake F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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