Kid Rock released several studio albums from 1988 that mostly went unnoticed before his 1998 record 'Devil Without a Cause', released with Atlantic Records, sold 11 million albums behind the hits, "Bawitdaba","Cowboy," and "Only God Knows Why". In 2000, he released The History of Rock which was a compilation of remixed and remastered versions of songs from his previous albums as well as the hit single, "American Bad Ass". In 2001, he released the follow up, Cocky. After a slow start, his country-flavored hit "Picture" with Sheryl Crow resurrected the album and it went gold as a single and pushed the album's sales to more than 5 million. It was followed by 2003's self-titled release, which failed to chart a major hit. In 2006 he released Live Trucker , a live album. In 2007 Kid Rock released Rock N Roll Jesus, which produced a hit in "All Summer Long." It was his first worldwide smash hit, charting #1 in eight countries across Europe and Australia. Rock N Roll Jesus would go on to sell 5 million albums worldwide including being certified triple platinum in the US.
He has sold 22 million albums to date in the United States, which currently ranks him as the 99th best selling music artist of all time in the U.S.
For the First Time
Kid Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Playin' in a rock 'n roll band
Far from a failure, I feel like a brand new man
Smoking like a fiend and schemin'
Dealin' with the upper hand
It's been so long since I felt this good, God damn
I'm finally standin' tall
Your love takes me to a higher place
For the first time, in a long time
I'm done payin' my dues
For the first time, in a long time
I don't feel used
Let's go out honky tonkin'
Dancing till the morning light
The time is now and this time I feel all right
I'm finally standin' tall
I feel I just can't fall
Your love takes me to a higher place
For the first time, in a long time
I don't stand accused
For the first time, in a long time
I feel brand new
Life's been kind, water tastes like wine
I feel so high like I'm on cloud nine
For the first time, in a long time
In "For The First Time," Kid Rock sings about feeling like a new man after living a life of excess as a musician. He mentions his vices, such as drinking and smoking, but also references feeling like he has the upper hand in life. The chorus is the most uplifting part of the song, as he talks about his newfound love and feeling like he doesn't have to pay his dues anymore. He's finally done feeling "used." Kid Rock invites the listener to join him in celebrating his new outlook on life with a night of honky tonk dancing till the morning light. He emphasizes how much he has changed, claiming that life is much kinder to him now than it was before.
Overall, the song speaks to the idea of personal growth and finding happiness after a long period of struggle. It emphasizes the importance of love, support, and positive change in one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
I been livin' like a drunken sailor
I've been living recklessly and without care, similar to how a sailor on shore leave might behave.
Playin' in a rock 'n roll band
I've been playing music in a band, a lifestyle that is famously wild and free-spirited.
Far from a failure, I feel like a brand new man
Despite any setbacks or difficulties, I feel rejuvenated and confident in myself.
Smoking like a fiend and schemin'
I've been smoking a lot and planning or strategizing intensely.
Dealin' with the upper hand
I'm in a position of power or advantage in my dealings.
It's been so long since I felt this good, God damn
I haven't felt this happy and content in a very long time, and it feels amazing.
I'm finally standin' tall
I feel confident and empowered, standing tall both literally and metaphorically.
I feel I just can't fall
I feel so secure in myself that I don't believe I could stumble or fail.
Your love takes me to a higher place
The love I feel from someone else is elevating, mentally and emotionally.
For the first time, in a long time
I'm done payin' my dues
After a long period of hard work and struggle, I am finally free of my obligations and can enjoy my success.
For the first time, in a long time
I don't feel used
In the past, I have felt taken advantage of or exploited by others, but now I am free of that feeling.
Let's go out honky tonkin'
Let's go out and have a good time, specifically by going to honky tonk bars, which typically feature country music and dancing.
Dancing till the morning light
We will dance all night, until the sun comes up.
The time is now and this time I feel all right
This is the perfect moment to enjoy life and have fun, and I am feeling great about it.
I don't stand accused
No one is falsely blaming or accusing me of anything, and I feel free from any negative scrutiny.
I feel brand new
I feel completely refreshed and renewed in both body and spirit.
Life's been kind, water tastes like wine
Life is going well, and even something as mundane as drinking water feels like a luxurious indulgence.
I feel so high like I'm on cloud nine
I feel incredibly happy and euphoric, as if I'm floating on cloud nine.
For the first time, in a long time
Overall, I am experiencing a sense of happiness and freedom that I haven't felt in a very long time.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CRAIG YOUNG, JULIE VASSAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Strange Reality
I been livin' like a drunken sailor
Playin' in a rock 'n roll band
Far from a failure, I feel like a brand new man
Smoking like a fiend and schemin'
Dealin' with the upper hand
It's been so long since I felt this good, God damn
I'm finally standin' tall
I feel I just can't fall
Your love takes me to a higher place
For the first time, in a long time
I'm done payin' my dues
For the first time, in a long time
I don't feel used
Let's go out honky tonkin'
Dancing till the morning light
The time is now and this time I feel all right
I'm finally standin' tall
I feel I just can't fall
Your love takes me to a higher place
For the first time, in a long time
I don't stand accused
For the first time, in a long time
I feel brand new
Life's been kind, water tastes like wine
I feel so high like I'm on cloud nine
For the first time, in a long time
Java Timeline
I been livin' like a drunken sailor
Playin' in a rock 'n roll band
Far from a failure, I feel like a brand new man
Smoking like a fiend and schemin'
Dealin' with the upper hand
It's been so long since I felt this good, God damn
I'm finally standin' tall
I feel I just can't fall
Your love takes me to a higher place
For the first time, in a long time
I'm done payin' my dues
For the first time, in a long time
I don't feel used
Let's go out honky tonkin'
Dancing till the morning light
The time is now and this time I feel all right
I'm finally standin' tall
I feel I just can't fall
Your love takes me to a higher place
For the first time, in a long time
I don't stand accused
For the first time, in a long time
I feel brand new
Life's been kind, water tastes like wine
I feel so high like I'm on cloud nine
For the first time, in a long time
TruthSeeker
He speaks to my soul. God Bless you, Kid! I can't get enough of you!
Bruce Carey
And thats the honest truth right there.!
Micky 72
47 years old still think kid rock is one of a kind ,super cool !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dana Mitchell
I just can't stop listening to your music. Your lyrics are what gets me through the day, thank you so much.. Love you Kid Rock...:-) :-) :-)
Jason Hollingsworth
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Jason Hollingsworth
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Enole Bellinii
I continue to love all of his music!
Bruce Carey
That beat man! What a song. Then the voice hits you straight in the ticker.! And the tune stays with you, in the shower, in the car, at work, just every time you sit down for a drink or a cup of coffee. Heaven on earth.!
Lisa Southwell
Your music soothes the soul! Dedicated forever fan!
Blake Smith
I just want to say ! Thanks Kid rock you and your music helped me through a lot of rough times in my life and u you still do ! Thanks !