"The First Time" song lyrics meaning U2

Monday, August 17, 2009
In “The First Time,” U2 crafts a poignant exploration of longing, regret, and redemption that echoes the narrative of the Prodigal Son, a theme deeply rooted in human experience and spirituality. Bono has described the song as a reflection on the complexities of love and the vulnerability that accompanies it. 

With its ethereal soundscape and deeply personal lyrics, “The First Time” invites listeners into a contemplative space where the protagonist grapples with the weight of past mistakes while yearning for a reconnection with lost innocence. The song’s opening lines set the tone for this introspective journey, evoking a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time, reminiscent of the Prodigal Son's initial carefree days before his reckless departure.

"The First Time" song lyrics meaning U2

Bono’s insight into the Prodigal Son story adds another layer of meaning to the song. 

He often highlights the significance of the father’s unwavering love and the son’s eventual return as emblematic of forgiveness and acceptance. “The First Time” embodies this transformative experience, illustrating how love can serve as both a sanctuary and a source of pain. 

"The First Time" song lyrics meaning U2

I have a lover, a lover like no other
She got soul soul soul, sweet soul
And she teach me how to sing
Shows me colours when there's none to see
Gives me hope when I can't believe
But for the first time I feel love

I have a brother when I'm a brother in need
I spend my whole time running
He spends his running after me
I feel myself goin' down
I just call and he comes around
But for the first time I feel love

My father is a rich man, he wears a rich man's cloak
Gave me the keys to his kingdom coming
Gave me a cup of gold
He said 'I have many mansions
And there are many rooms to see'
But I left by the back door
And I threw away the key
And I threw away the key
Yeah, I threw away the key
Yeah, I threw away the key

For the first time
For the first time
For the first time I feel love

The instrumentation further enhances the song’s emotional depth, with The Edge's haunting guitar riffs mirroring the lyrical themes of yearning and introspection. Bono has noted that “music is the language of the spirit,” and in “The First Time,” the blend of airy melodies and poignant lyrics creates a sonic landscape that captures the essence of vulnerability. 

The song culminates in a moment of clarity, where the protagonist recognizes that the journey back home is fraught with challenges but ultimately necessary for redemption. Through this lens, “The First Time” transcends its personal narrative to become a universal anthem of love, loss, and the enduring hope of reconciliation, much like the timeless parable of the Prodigal Son (and indeed Bono's song about his own father, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own).

You may like to read the lyrics to The Wanderer which featured the amazing vocal of Johnny Cash in god-fearing cowboy mode.....

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