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
And I don't know where I am, I don't know where I've been
But I know where I want to go

And so I thought I'd let you know
Yeah, these things take forever, I especially am slow
But I realized that I need you
And I wondered if I could come home

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"

So if you wanna 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, ah-ha, mm-hmm

Besides, maybe this time is different
I mean, I really think you like me


Lyrics submitted by oh,and_theblues., edited by valiargentina

First Day Of My Life Lyrics as written by Conor Oberst

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave

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First Day of My Life song meanings
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    General Comment

    These boards and the Bob Dylan boards are so intelligent. You guys have such great comments. Ok, on to my opinion;

    This is about two lovers who never loved each other at the same time. They have such strong feelings for one another but they always show up a little late in reciprocating that love.

    "Besides, maybe this time is different I mean, I really think you like me"

    They were always so selfish and now, after a journey without each other, have come to realize they are "boomerangs" (re: "You Will..."). There is also the line-

    "But I'd rather be working for a paycheck Than waiting to win the lottery "

    Leading me to think- "Ok, yeah, we have to TRY in this relationship but it's better than searching for something fake and easy and has a good chance of never happening.". After all, don't you cherish something that you work for rather than have it given to you? Finally, the words -

    "So I thought I'd let you know That these things take forever, I am especially slow But I realized how I need you And I wondered if I could come home"

    He spent the previous verses professing his love. Sort of an embarassing moment where before he was so vulnerable with his heart, now he feels the need to retract his feelings and apologize in his own way. Look at the word "home" and its context in the paragraph. He is in a moment of realization and wants to reach out and grab what he knows he neglected in the first place. Bah! I could go on analyzing but it's a beautiful song and the meaning could just be he felt the words fit well and were nothing more than that =p I really enjoy reading these posts. You guys should get in on some of the Dylan songs too.

    pictorialpyroon April 29, 2005   Link

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