First Time by Illenium Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Enigma of a Familiar Stranger

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Illenium's First Time at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

I know that we haven’t met but I know your vibe
Are we skipping a step? ‘Cause I really don’t mind
It’s like you’ve been in my bed a couple thousand times
Now we’re at it again, we’re at it again for the very first time

Hello, stranger
I don’t know your name but I recognize your energy
A breath taker
You give me déjà vu, this is feeling like a memory, yeah

Your lips look so familiar
And I don’t know if this is real or just the liquor
But this feeling is major
It might sound a little strange ’cause

I know that we haven’t met but I know your vibe
Are we skipping a step? ‘Cause I really don’t mind
It’s like you’ve been in my bed a couple thousand times
Now we’re at it again, we’re at it again

I know that we haven’t met but I know your vibe
Are we skipping a step? ‘Cause I really don’t mind
It’s like you’ve been in my bed a couple thousand times
Now we’re at it again, we’re at it again for the very first time

For the very first time
For the very first time

Am I being cliché?
Saying that you’re probably from a dream I had
I will put you on replay
You’re the TV show I’m marathonin’ all damn weekend

Babe, I can’t lie, it kinda creeps me out
How you say what’s on my mind before it leaves my mouth
Yeah, it’s hard for me to explain
I know it probably sounds strange

I know that we haven’t met but I know your vibe
Are we skipping a step? ‘Cause I really don’t mind
It’s like you’ve been in my bed a couple thousand times
Now we’re at it again, we’re at it again

I know that we haven’t met but I know your vibe
Are we skipping a step? ‘Cause I really don’t mind
It’s like you’ve been in my bed a couple thousand times
Now we’re at it again, we’re at it again for the very first time

For the very first time
For the very first time

We’re at it again, we’re at it again
We’re at it again, again
For the very first time

We’re at it again, we’re at it again
We’re at it again, again

In a world where connections are often fleeting and memories blend with dreams, Illenium’s track ‘First Time’ resonates with an almost mystical fervor. The song conjures feelings of instant familiarity amidst the uncharted territories of novel encounters. The melody, threaded with the artist’s characteristic electronic orchestration, cradles lyrics that explore the paradoxical sensation of newness laced with nostalgia.

‘First Time’ is more than just a ballad of preemptive intimacy; it’s a tapestry woven with threads of déjà vu, serendipity, and the blurring of reality in an age where the digital and the corporeal are increasingly intertwined. The lyrics beckon us towards understanding this enigmatic relationship where every moment feels like an echo of a distant dream.

The Siren Call of a ‘Familiar’ Soul: Breaking Down the Paradox

At first glance, ‘First Time’ could be dismissed as a simple love song, yet it invites a deeper dive into the psyche. The lines, ‘I know that we haven’t met but I know your vibe’ immediately establish this paradoxical sense of unfamiliar familiarity. It suggests the influence of a digital era, where one may feel they know someone through social profiles and online personas long before a physical meeting materializes.

This speaks to a modern romanticism intertwined with technology, where the concept of ‘first impressions’ is warped by our prior access to snippets of people’s lives. Illenium navigates this modern maze of intimacy, simultaneously acknowledging the oddness while surrendering to the evocative power of perceived familiarity.

A Dance of Destiny or Deception? The Role of Intuition

‘First Time’ grapples with the concept of intuition versus illusion. Lines such as ‘Are we skipping a step? ‘Cause I really don’t mind’ encapsulate the yearning to bypass the conventional, to dive into deep connection without the preludes. Illenium pays homage to that gut feeling, that hunch we sometimes get that tells us to leap rather than to look.

However, there’s also an underlying question posed by the song: Is this magnetic pull genuine, or merely a mirage embellished by our desires and the influence of ‘the liquor’? The music teases out this tightrope walk between reality and artifice, urging the listener to ponder where one ends and the other begins.

Uncovering the Hidden Meaning: Between the Lines of ‘Now we’re at it again’

A recurring line that demands attention is ‘Now we’re at it again, we’re at it again for the very first time.’ This oxymoronic statement strikes at the core of ‘First Time’—emphasizing the contradicting experiences of a distinct beginning laced with the familiarity of an ongoing saga. The song chips away at the concept of time and experience, as if the love affair it speaks of recurs across different timelines or lifetimes.

This lyrical choice could be an artistic nod to the multiple dimensions of human connections that can feel both ancient and freshly-minted within a single moment. Such powerful contradictions allow listeners to find their own hidden stories within the song’s embrace, enhancing its allure.

Memorable Lines: ‘It’s like you’ve been in my bed a couple thousand times’

Arguably one of the track’s most memorable lines, ‘It’s like you’ve been in my bed a couple thousand times,’ resonates with the theme of pre-ordained familiarity. The phrase blurs the ordinary passage of time, thrilling the listener with the fantasy of a connection that defies logic and transcends temporal boundaries.

Illenium crafts a narrative that flirts with the divine—presenting the idea of soul recognition, a bond that feels time-tested and profound from its inception. It is a bold celebration of connection, presented in a manner that seduces the imagination while touching on the ethereal.

The Inescapable Lure of ‘First Time’: Why It Captivates Us

What makes ‘First Time’ bewitching is its blend of otherworldly familiarity with a tangible, electric charge. The song, like a sly trick of the mind, redefines what it means to meet someone for the first time. It challenges the listener to unveil the layers of connection that lie beyond the physical encounter—a spiritual, emotional, or intellectual resonance that feels age-old.

Illenium’s track has become not just a musical offering, but an exploration of the psyche—a lyrical journey into the depths of how we perceive intimacy in the modern age. It mirrors the complexities of forming bonds in a world where we are simultaneously more connected and more removed from each other than ever before.