First Time
Lucy Dacus Lyrics


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Broke into the screened-in porch
Now I'm crawling through the dog door
I may let you see me on my knees
But you'll never see me on all fours

Drooling on the tile
I'm a starfish on the kitchen floor
Catch my breath to breathe your name
I'm just the fool you took me for

You can feel it for the first time, the second time
You can feel it for the first time, the second time

You gave me your hands 'cause you
Didn't know what to with them
And I showed you the way
Even though I'd never been

Where did we go right?
I think about it all the time
If I had paid closer attention
Maybe I could take us back to there and then

But you can feel it for the first time, the second time
You can feel it for the first time, the second time
I can't go back to who I was before I met you
I can't undo what I've done, I wouldn't want to
I wouldn't want to, I wouldn't want to

Sneaking out of the house
I must be out of my mind
I'm running out of excuses
We're running out of time

You say the love will come and go
We'll learn to ride the ebb and flow
You always leave before the light
Come back, same time and place, the next night

And how will I know if history repeats itself
How will I know when it's gonna come back around?
How will I know? Has my face changed, baby?
How will I know? I'll stay ready for you to take me




Take me, take me
Take me

Overall Meaning

The song "First Time" by Lucy Dacus is a heart-wrenching ballad about falling in love for the first time and grappling with the uncertainty and vulnerability that comes with it. In the first verse, Dacus describes herself as crawling through a dog door after having broken into a screened-in porch. She then reveals that she may let her partner see her on her knees but never on all fours, symbolizing a willingness to be vulnerable but still maintain some level of power in the relationship. She then paints a vivid image of herself drooling on the kitchen floor like a starfish, catching her breath to say her partner's name. The second verse is about the journey of learning to love and the doubts that can come with it. The chorus reinforces the theme of experiencing love for the very first time.


One of the most powerful moments of the song is when Dacus sings, "I can't go back to who I was before I met you, I can't undo what I've done, I wouldn't want to, I wouldn't want to, I wouldn't want to." Here, she acknowledges that even though she can't go back to before she fell in love and might not be able to predict what will happen next in the relationship, she wouldn't change anything.


Overall, "First Time" is a poignant song about the transformative power of love and the inherent vulnerability that comes with opening oneself up to it.


Line by Line Meaning

Broke into the screened-in porch
I forcefully entered the screened-in porch


Now I'm crawling through the dog door
I am entering through the small entrance meant for a dog


I may let you see me on my knees
I am willing to show vulnerability and ask for your forgiveness


But you'll never see me on all fours
But I won't show complete submission


Drooling on the tile
I am overwhelmed with desire


I'm a starfish on the kitchen floor
Like a starfish, I am exposed and vulnerable


Catch my breath to breathe your name
I am taking a moment to be present with my feelings for you


I'm just the fool you took me for
I am aware that you have power over me


You can feel it for the first time, the second time
We can experience love and passion anew, even after multiple encounters


You gave me your hands 'cause you
You handed me your hands hesitantly


Didn't know what to with them
You didn't know what to do with your hands


And I showed you the way
I guided you with my own hand movement


Even though I'd never been
Even though I had never experienced it myself


Where did we go right?
Where did our relationship succeed?


I think about it all the time
I ponder our relationship frequently


If I had paid closer attention
If I had been more aware


Maybe I could take us back to there and then
We could relive that moment if I had only paid more attention


I can't go back to who I was before I met you
You've changed me


I can't undo what I've done, I wouldn't want to
I don't regret any of the decisions I've made in our relationship


Sneaking out of the house
I am escaping from my responsibilities at home


I must be out of my mind
I am acting irratically


I'm running out of excuses
I am struggling to explain my absences


We're running out of time
Our time together is limited


You say the love will come and go
You acknowledge that our love ebbs and flows


We'll learn to ride the ebb and flow
We'll learn to navigate the ups and downs of our relationship


You always leave before the light
You always leave before it gets too serious


Come back, same time and place, the next night
You set up a secret meeting with me


And how will I know if history repeats itself
I worry that our relationship will fall into old patterns


How will I know when it's gonna come back around?
When will we relive past mistakes?


How will I know? Has my face changed, baby?
Will you recognize me after time and space has passed between us?


How will I know? I'll stay ready for you to take me
I'll be ready for you to sweep me off my feet once again


Take me, take me
Take me back into your loving arms




Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Lucy Dacus

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

@fernando2917

Lyrics:

Broke into the screened-in porch
Now I'm crawling through the dog door
I may let you see me on my knees
But you'll never see me on all fours
Drooling on the tile
I'm a starfish on the kitchen floor
Catch my breath to breathe your name
I am just the fool you took me for, uh-huh

You can't feel it for the first time a second time
You can't feel it for the first time a second time

You gave me your hands
'Cause you didn't know what to do with them
And I showed you the way
Even though I'd never been
Where did we go right?
I think about it all the time
If I had paid closer attеntion
Maybe I could take us back to therе and then

But you can't feel it for the first time a second time
You can't feel it for the first time a second time
I can't go back to who I was before I met you
I can't undo what I've done and I wouldn't want to
I wouldn't want to
I wouldn't want to

Sneaking out of the house
I must be out of my mind
I'm running out of excuses
We're running out of time
You say the love will come and go
We'll learn to ride the ebb and flow
You'll always leave before the light
Come back same time and place the next night

And how will I know
If history repeats itself?
How will I know
When it's gonna come back around?
How will I know?
Has my face changed, baby?
How will I know?
I'll stay ready for you to take me, take me, take me
Take me



All comments from YouTube:

@TC-qr6dk

I cannot begin to explain how fucking good this song is

@johnn.2017

Give yourself more credit! I could begin to... Then I'd be at a loss!

@Lluviaoblicua

The feeeeling I get...is it nostalgia? Is it a wave of sass? Is it closure? Is it all in between? ✨✨✨

@d0wnbyth3riv3r2

First thing I said when I came across this song!

@witheredsky1255

lucy just know that your music means the world to me and im not kidding

@johnn.2017

This song just has an epic quality.

@a.x.x8184

00's, 80s & 70s literally made a comeback in 2020-21 & I'm HERE FOR IT. The 2020's going down as the retro decade for sure.

@horstwollaeger3852

Different atmosspheres mashed up together here in a quite good exciting way. Drums like
a running wheel, nicely distorted rhythm-guitar, and a bit contradictive in its calm expression: Lucy`s vocals. Haunting track for this questionable morning.

@johnn.2017

Heard this morning on my Community Radio Station WMNF (Tampa) on my way to work and I immediately fell in love!

@stephaniehunt7413

This is my new song for mental breakdowns thank you

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