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This is the first day of my life
Swear I was born right in the doorway
I went out in the rain, suddenly everything changed
They're spreading blankets on the beach
Yours was the first face that I saw
I think I was blind before I met you
I don't know where I am, I don't know where I've been
But I know where I want to go
So I thought I'd let you know
That these things take forever, I especially am slow
But I realized how I need you
And I wondered if I could come home
I remember the time you drove all night
Just to meet me in the morning
And I thought it was strange, you said everything changed
You felt as if you just woke up
And you said
"This is the first day of my life
Glad I didn't die before I met you
Now I don't care, I could go anywhere with you
And I'd probably be happy"
So if you want to be with me
With these things there's no telling
We'll just have to wait and see
But I'd rather be working for a paycheck
Than waiting to win the lottery
Besides, maybe this time is different
I mean, I really think you like me
Swear I was born right in the doorway
I went out in the rain, suddenly everything changed
They're spreading blankets on the beach
Yours was the first face that I saw
I think I was blind before I met you
I don't know where I am, I don't know where I've been
But I know where I want to go
So I thought I'd let you know
That these things take forever, I especially am slow
But I realized how I need you
And I wondered if I could come home
I remember the time you drove all night
Just to meet me in the morning
And I thought it was strange, you said everything changed
You felt as if you just woke up
And you said
"This is the first day of my life
Glad I didn't die before I met you
Now I don't care, I could go anywhere with you
And I'd probably be happy"
So if you want to be with me
With these things there's no telling
We'll just have to wait and see
But I'd rather be working for a paycheck
Than waiting to win the lottery
Besides, maybe this time is different
I mean, I really think you like me
Lyrics submitted by oh,and_theblues.
Track duration: 03:08
"First Day of My Life" as written by Oberst
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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One of my favourite songs of all time.
I understand how music is and should be interpretated individually, but when i sometimes read the comments on this site, i wonder if it has to be that difficult. And if - for the writers - love is also difficult.
My favourite line:
"Yours was the first face that I saw
I think I was blind before I met you"
This feeling of finally seeing somebody. Really seeing. Not just physically. Feeling somebody. Breathing somebody. Whispering somebody's name like a prayer. Finally everything becomes wonderfully clear, the colours are brighter, the birds' song sweeter.
This is not retrospective at all. This young man is in love. Right now. And deeply. He doesn't know where this is going, he obviously has made some experiences in life, but right now in this moment he is in love and feels reborn. Just like the first day of his life..
My interpretation of this song (Bear with me.. ) is that he is recalling a lost relationship ; and also speaking to his lost love as well as himself. In past & present tense.
"This is the first day of my life
I swear I was born right in the doorway
I went out in the rain suddenly everything changed
They're spreading blankets on the beach"
he is explaining his entire relationship retroactively. Meeting her, changed everything for him. Throughout this new experience he underwent many trials and tribulations that inevitably ended their time together. Stepping out into the rain was rough times fights and ending the relationship, after spending time apart, His outlook changed and it became a warm memory he is nostalgic about.
"Yours is the first face that I saw
I think I was blind before I met you
Now I don't know where I am
I don't know where I've been
But I know where I want to go"
He is reminiscing about the first time he met her and how he became infatuated.
"And so I thought I'd let you know
That these things take forever
I especially am slow
But I realize that I need you
And I wondered if I could come home"
"This is present, he is trying to rekindle what once was.
"Remember the time you drove all night
Just to meet me in the morning
And I thought it was strange you said everything changed
You felt as if you'd just woke up
And you said this is the first day of my life
I'm glad I didn't die before I met you
But now I don't care I could go anywhere with you
And I'd probably be happy"
This is also in the past, his recollection of the break up. He references driving to meet him in the morning to show how much she once cared for him. She responds with she has come to the realization that the relationship isn't working out and from this point forward her new life will begin, however she is glad to have met him. The next quote I believe is himself in the present saying to her now I do not care, I'll follow you anywhere and will be happy.
"So if you want to be with me
With these things there's no telling
We just have to wait and see
But I'd rather be working for a paycheck
Than waiting to win the lottery
Besides maybe this time is different
I mean I really think you like me"
This is also in the present, he tells her essentially give me another shot. The paycheck reference however, I feel is him thinking to himself he would rather take the initiative and try than wait for something that most likely would not happen without provocation.