First Love Lyrics

[Verse 1]
So little to say, but so much time
Despite my empty mouth, the words are in my mind

Please, wear the face, the one where you smile
Because you lighten up my heart when I start to cry

[Chorus]
Forgive me, first love, but I'm tired
I need to get away to feel again
Try to understand why
Don't get so close to change my mind
Please wipe that look out of your eyes
It's bribing me to doubt myself
Simply, it's tiring

[Verse 2]
This love has dried up, and stayed behind
And if I stay, I'll be a lie
Then choke on words I'd always hide
Excuse me, first love, but we're through
I need to taste the kiss from someone new
Forgive me, first love, but I'm too tired
I'm bored to say the least and I, I lack desire

[Outro]
Forgive me, first love, forgive me, first love
Forgive me, first love, forgive me, first love, forgive me
Forgive me, first love, forgive me, first love

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About

Genius Annotation

Adele is known for her chart-topping love songs. However, those songs tend to be dramatic, sad, ballad-like, and overall very emotional.

For “First Love”, the seventh track on her debut album 19, she tones it down—a lot. A celesta (what sounds like the bell) chimes throughout the song, which goes through no sort of increase in sound or climax. Clearly, it’s still about love, though.

According to author Marc Shapiro, her first love was a bisexual man who cheated on her with a man before they even started dating. (They had planned to date, though.) However, he did not say whether it influenced this song, and Adele has left no comment on his words.

That man inspired her song “Daydreamer”, however, it’s more likely this song is about the separate ex-boyfriend that inspired much of rest of 19.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Translations
Genius Answer
Is she talking about loving her first love or forgetting about him?
Genius Answer

Adele is talking about how she no longer feels the same way she did initially about her first love, and now needs to move on for her own happiness.

Credits
Produced By
Written By
Mixing Engineer
Assistant Mixing Engineer
Recording Engineer
Assistant Recording Engineer
Vocals
Celesta
Recorded At
Rak Studios, London
Release Date
January 28, 2008
Songs That Sample First Love
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