First Love
The Maccabees Lyrics


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First love
Last love
Only love
It's only love

First love
Last love
Only love
It's only love

Do you miss home?
Do you miss home?
And are you cool?
Symmetrical?

Let's get married
And tick the boxes
And so she says
Oh lets get married
And tick the boxes

Do you want to be alone?
Do you wanna be alone?
And are you cool?
Symmetrical
Hypocritical
Analytical
So critical
Nothing's perfect
And I'm hoping I'll do do
But I will not do
'Cause nothing's perfect
So I'll have to make do

And it's my mistake
And no mistake
And I would take it back if I could
So stay with me tonight

I'll make my bed, I'll lie in it
And pillow talk you into it
I'll make my bed, I'll lie in it
Entice you with this leopard print and matching velvet duvet

First love
Last love
Only love
It's only love

First love
Last love
Only love
It's only love

Only love
Only love





It's only love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "First Love" by The Maccabees embody the complex emotions of a person experiencing their first love. The repetition of "first love, last love, only love, it's only love" highlights the intensity of the emotions felt during that first romantic encounter. The opening lines also express a sense of longing and nostalgia for the past, asking if the person misses home and if they are okay. The following stanza then suggests the idea of marriage and fulfilling societal expectations. The person seems to be willing to sacrifice their own desires for conformity, but then expresses doubts and fears of being alone and criticized. The phrase "symmetrical, hypocritical, analytical, so critical" captures the intense self-examination and anxious thoughts that come with new romantic experiences. The final lines suggest a desperate attempt to hold onto the person as they confess their mistake and hope for forgiveness.


The themes of love, conformity, and self-doubt are all intertwined in this song. The repetition of "only love" emphasizes the importance and all-consuming feelings of first love, while the pressure to conform to society's expectations of marriage and relationships is highlighted through the idea of "ticking boxes." The lyrics also touch on the intense self-examination and anxiety that comes with new romantic experiences, capturing the desire for perfection and fear of being criticized. However, the final plea for forgiveness and desperation to hold onto the relationship adds a layer of vulnerability and tenderness to the song.


Line by Line Meaning

First love
The initial and the most important love in one's life


Last love
The final and the most significant love in one's life


Only love
The one true love that one has in their life


It's only love
Love is the only significant and essential thing in life


Do you miss home?
Are you longing to go back to your homeland?


And are you cool?
Are you relaxed or unbothered?


Symmetrical?
Is everything well-balanced?


Let's get married
Let's take our relationship to the next level by getting married


And tick the boxes
Let's fulfill all the criteria of society for a perfect married life


And so she says
The girl agrees to get married


Do you want to be alone?
Do you prefer being by yourself?


Symmetrical
Everything balanced, harmonious


Hypocritical
Being insincere or contradictory


Analytical
Over-analyzing things


So critical
Being overly judgmental


Nothing's perfect
Nothing is entirely flawless


And I'm hoping I'll do do
I wish I can do my best


But I will not do
In reality, I can't do everything perfectly


'Cause nothing's perfect
Since there is no standard of perfection, no one can ever achieve it


So I'll have to make do
In the end, one has to manage with what they have


And it's my mistake
I am at fault


And no mistake
There was no error or wrong committed


And I would take it back if I could
I would undo the mistake if it were possible


So stay with me tonight
Please don't leave me tonight


I'll make my bed, I'll lie in it
I'll accept the consequences of my actions


And pillow talk you into it
I'll convince you with sweet words


Entice you with this leopard print and matching velvet duvet
I'll seduce you with luxurious things like leopard print and velvet bedding


Only love
Love is the only thing that truly matters in life




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Felix White, Hugo White, Orlando Thomas Penhale Weeks, Robert Dylan Thomas, Shepherd Rupert Alexander J. Jarvis

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

William Avellan

First love, last love
Only love, it's only love
First love, last love
Only love, it's only love

Do you miss home?
Do you miss home?
And are you cool?
Symmetricool?

Let's get married
And tick the boxes
And so she says
Oh, let's get married
And take the boxes

Do you want to be alone?
Do you wanna be alone?
And are you cool?
Symmetrical, hypocritical, analytical, so critical?

Nothing's perfect
And I'm hoping I'll do, do
But I will not do
Cos nothing's perfect
So I'll have to make do

And it's my mistake and no mistake
And I would take it back if I could
So stay with me tonight

Well, I'll make my bed, I'll lie in it
And pillow talk you into it
I'll make my bed, I'll lie in it
Entice you with this leopard print
And matching velvet duvet

First love, last love
Only love, it's only love
First love, last love
Only love, it's only love
Only love
Only love
It's only love



All comments from YouTube:

punkycidio

I'm too late, why did I just find this band? it's art, more than I could expect.

Shuou

Same :/

clare davies

Me too. Have only found them because Felix is Jimmy's sidekick on Tailenders.... then I found he did the soundtrack for The Edge...

Ben Fardon

its never too late

oscar p

never is to late to join to the honeycomb

Alain Digo

They are going to become one of those bands that didn't have the successes they deserved during their activity, but gonna influence many young artists to come in the futur. i.e. Joy Division.

Shuou

For sure

Christopher Wells

They never sold out, which is what I find most beautiful about the band. As real to listen now as it was to listen then. & forever it will be!

Deletion induced in 7 days

I hope this happens. We just need to wait a few more months

THX1188 8855

This band is the british equivalent of the drums, which is not a bad thing.

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