The First Cut Is the Deepest
Stevens (Cat) 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

The song "The First Cut Is the Deepest" by Cat Stevens is a song that speaks to the pain of heartbreak, and the fear of opening oneself up to love again. The lyrics describe a person who has been hurt deeply by a previous partner, and has hesitations about trusting someone new. The first line, "I would have given you all of my heart" reflects the desire of the singer to open up to a new love, but the fear of being hurt again keeps them from doing so. The next line, "But there's someone who's torn it apart" is an acknowledgement of the pain that they have experienced, and the reason why they are hesitant to love again. When the singer says "But if you want, I'll try to love again," it is a recognition that love is worth the risk of pain, but the hesitation is still there.


The chorus of the song, "The first cut is the deepest, baby, I know, the first cut is the deepest" underscores the idea that the pain of the first heartbreak is the deepest, and is the most difficult to heal. The line "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" suggests that the person who has hurt the singer is unlucky in life and loves badly or not at all, but is good at being loved by others. The singer acknowledges that they still feel a strong desire to be with the person who hurt them, and that they will try to love again, but the fear of being hurt again may always be present.


Overall, the song speaks to the experience of heartbreak and the struggle to re-open one's heart to love after being hurt. The idea that the first cut is the deepest underscores the difficulty of healing from a first heartbreak and the fear of being hurt again.


Line by Line Meaning

I would have given you all of my heart
I was willing to give you my everything


But there's someone who's torn it apart
Unfortunately, someone else has broken my heart


And she's taken almost all that I've got
The person who hurt me also took most of my possessions


But if you want, I'll try to love again
But I am willing to try to love again, if you are willing to give me a chance


Baby, I'll try to love again, but I know
I will give love a second chance, but I am aware that it may not be easy


The first cut is the deepest, baby, I know
The first time our hearts are broken is the most painful, and I know from experience


The first cut is the deepest
The first time we experience heartbreak is the most intense and difficult to move on from


'Cause when it comes to being lucky, she's cursed
The person who hurt me has terrible luck in general


When it comes to lovin' me, she's worst
However, when it comes to loving me, she is the worst


But when it comes to being loved she's first
Despite everything, when it comes to receiving love, she is always first


That's how I know
This is why I am aware that the first cut is the deepest


I still want you by my side
I still want you to be with me and support me


Just to help me dry the tears that I've cried
I need someone to be there for me and help me overcome the sadness and pain I am feeling


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


And if you want, I'll try to love again
If you are willing to work with me, I will try to love again


Baby, I'll try to love again, but I know
I am willing to try again, but I am aware that the first cut is always the deepest


The first cut is the deepest, baby, I know
I know from experience that the first time our hearts are broken is the most intense and difficult


The first cut is the deepest
The initial experience of heartbreak is always the most painful and difficult to move on from


'Cause when it comes to being lucky, she's cursed
Despite everything else, the person who hurt me has terrible luck


When it comes to lovin' me, she's worst
However, when it comes to loving me, she is the worst


But when it comes to being loved, she's first
Despite everything, she will always be the first to receive love


That's how I know
This is why I am certain that the first cut is the deepest


Baby, I know, the first cut is the deepest, baby, I know
I am aware that the first time our hearts are broken is the most painful


The first cut is the deepest
The first experience of heartbreak is always the most difficult to overcome


'Cause when it comes to being lucky, she's cursed
The person who hurt me has terrible luck in general


When it comes to lovin' me, she's worst
However, when it comes to loving me, she is the worst


But when it comes to being loved, she's first
Despite everything, she will always be the first to receive love


That's how I know
This is why I am certain that the first cut is the deepest




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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