Interested in music from a young age, the San Francisco-born Leff took piano and viola lessons as a child before picking up the guitar around age 11. During high school, he played in several bands and studied jazz before discovering electronic music production. However, it was while attending N.Y.U. as a music tech major in 2014 that a bad breakup found Leff on his own and digging deep into his writing and recording process. Out of this period came the song "The Other," co-written with songwriter/instrumentalist Michael Matosic. Released under Leff's stage name Lauv (inspired by the Latvian "lauva" or lion), the song went viral after gaining blog attention and peaked at number three on blog aggregator Hype Machine. In 2015 he returned with his debut EP, Lost in the Light, which featured "The Other."
More tracks followed, including 2015's "Reforget" and 2016's "Question," featuring Travis Mills. In 2017 Lauv headed his own Late Nights, Deep Talks tour and premiered the official video for "The Other," along with a series of remixes. Released in May of that year, Lauv's single "I Like Me Better" became a breakout international hit and was later featured on his self-titled second EP that October. The single was also included on his full-length debut, 2018's I Met You When I Was 18, which also featured the singles "Paranoid" and "Bracelet." Hit collaborations with Julia Michaels ("There's No Way") and Troye Sivan ("I'm So Tired...") carried him into 2019. Lauv's debut album "~how i'm feeling~" is set to be released in March 2020.
First Grade
Lauv Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to paint in beautiful colors
With an innocent mother
And the story as it's told, is not a pretty one
But it's still a story I wanna unfold
'Cause, baby, I love you
I wanna show you that it's okay to be who you are
'Cause who you are, is a star
Who you are is beautiful, beautiful
Who you are to me
Mmm
And I know you get discouraged sometimes
'Cause you're scared that your father was right
But I promise you'll see the things that I see in time, mmm
Now wait 'til there comes a day
When you get through the pain
And all of the shit you hold inside
'Cause, baby, I love you
I don't really know you
I wanna show you that it's okay to be who you are
'Cause who you are, is a star
Who you are is beautiful, beautiful
Who you are to me
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
'Cause, baby, I love you
I don't really know you
I wanna show you that it's okay to be who you are
'Cause who you are, is a star
Who you are is beautiful, beautiful
Who you are to me
The lyrics of Lauv's song "First Grade" tell a touching story about a young girl who is alone in the world, trying to find beauty and happiness amidst difficult circumstances. The song begins by describing the girl's attempt to paint in beautiful colors, symbolizing her desire to create a better life for herself. However, it is revealed that she has an innocent mother, suggesting that she comes from a challenging background.
Although the story is not a pleasant one, the singer expresses his eagerness to unravel and understand it. Despite not really knowing the girl, he declares his love for her and wants to show her that it is acceptable to be true to herself. He sees her as a star, someone with immense potential and beauty. The singer acknowledges that the girl sometimes feels discouraged, possibly due to the negative influence or absence of her father. However, he assures her that in time she will see the positive qualities that he himself sees in her.
The song presents a message of unconditional love and acceptance. It focuses on embracing one's true self and overcoming past struggles. Lauv encourages the girl, and by extension, listeners, to believe in their own worth and embrace their unique qualities.
Line by Line Meaning
First grade, I see a girl alone in the world
In the early stages of life, I observed a young girl feeling isolated and detached from others.
Trying to paint in beautiful colors
She's attempting to create a vibrant and positive life for herself.
With an innocent mother
Her mother, who is pure and untarnished, is by her side.
And the story as it's told, is not a pretty one
However, the narrative of her life, when shared, reveals a harsh reality.
But it's still a story I wanna unfold
Despite the difficulties, I desire to uncover and understand her story.
'Cause, baby, I love you
My affection for her is profound.
I don't really know you
Although I am not fully acquainted with her yet.
I wanna show you that it's okay to be who you are
I aspire to demonstrate that embracing one's true self is acceptable.
'Cause who you are is a star
Because she possesses remarkable qualities and radiance.
Who you are is beautiful, beautiful
Her intrinsic beauty is extraordinary.
Who you are to me
To me, she holds immense significance and value.
And I know you get discouraged sometimes
I am aware that she often becomes disheartened.
'Cause you're scared that your father was right
This fear stems from the belief that her father's negative words were accurate.
But I promise you'll see the things that I see in time, mmm
I assure her that with time, she will perceive the positive aspects I see in her.
Now wait 'til there comes a day
Just remain patient until a time arrives
When you get through the pain
When she overcomes the anguish she endures
And all of the shit you hold inside
And the burdens that she internalizes
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
'Cause, baby, I love you
Because my affection for her is profound
I don't really know you
Although I am not fully acquainted with her yet
I wanna show you that it's okay to be who you are
I desire to demonstrate that embracing one's true self is acceptable
'Cause who you are is a star
Because she possesses remarkable qualities and radiance
Who you are is beautiful, beautiful
Her intrinsic beauty is extraordinary
Who you are to me
To me, she holds immense significance and value
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ari Leff, Jonathan Cunningham
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yopiapriliyadi7
First grade
I see you girl
Alone in the world
Trying to paint in beautiful colors with an innocent mother
And the story as it’s told, it’s not a pretty one
But it’s still a story I want to unfold
Cause baby I love you
I don’t really know you
But I want to show you
That it’s okay to be who you are
Cause who you are is a star
Who you are is beautiful, beautiful
Who you are to me
Hmmm
And I know you get discouraged sometimes cause you’re scared that your father was right
And I promise you’ll see the things that I see in time
Hmmm
Now wait til there comes a day when you get through the pain and all of the shame you hold inside
Cause baby I love you
I don’t really know you
But I want to show you
That it’s okay to be who you are
Cause who you are is a star
Who you are is beautiful, beautiful
Who you are to me
Oooooh ooooh
Oooooh ooooh
Oooooh ooooh
Cause baby I love you
I don’t really know you
But I want to show you
That it’s okay to be who you are
Cause who you are is a star
Who you are is beautiful, beautiful
Who you are to me
@kimxharold
First Grade Lyrics
[Verse 1]
First grade
I see you girl
Alone in the world
Trying to paint in beautiful colors
With an innocent mother
And the story as it’s told, it's not a pretty one
But it's still a story I wanna unfold
[Chorus]
'Cause baby I love you
I don't really know you
But I want to show you
That it's okay to be who you are
'Cause who you are is a star
Who you are is beautiful, beautiful
Who you are to me
[Verse 2]
Hmm
And I know you get discouraged sometimes
'Cause you're scared that your father was right
And I promise you'll see the things that I see in time
Hmm
Now wait til there comes a day
When you get through the pain
And all of the shame you hold inside
[Chorus]
'Cause baby I love you
I don't really know you
But I want to show you
That it's okay to be who you are
'Cause who you are is a star
Who you are is beautiful, beautiful
Who you are to me
[Bridge]
Ohh-ohh, ohh-ohh
Ohh-ohh, ohh-ohh
[Chorus]
'Cause baby I love you
I don't really know you
But I want to show you
That it's okay to be who you are
'Cause who you are is a star
Who you are is beautiful, beautiful
Who you are to me
@nhalaura8190
it made me think he wrote this song for me. the lyrics hit me hard, they suit me completely. i always know that Lauv's music will grow up with me but this one, i cant tell how much it means to me.
@jennie6201
huh...
@huynguyen3342
chào
@kalims9605
All my favorite songs are always by Lauv✨
@user-hk9xu3eu7z
❤️❤️ 💕 💗
@rtyuinikgt7094
As legend says ,Lauv has never made a bad song
@nikuthong8423
This entire album is a medicine for my soul. Ari, your music always helps me, thank you
@liltyofficial2000
Lauv you’re perfect bro.literally you’re music made me who I am. 😭 your an angel brother.
@user-ti7cf9hh7e
メロディーも歌詞も刺さる、、この曲ほんとに1番好きかも
@cap1
Love ❤️