Mac DeMarco’s “For the First Time” is a pop song with lyrics that dig into the strain of being apart from someone. DeMarco sings about longing, frustration, and the anticipation of seeing his partner again after a long absence.
Below is a section-by-section breakdown of the lyrics in “For the First Time.”
- Song: For the First Time
- Artist: Mac DeMarco
- Songwriter: Mac DeMarco
- Released: 2017
- Album: This Old Dog
- Genre: Pop
“For the First Time” Meaning: Line by Line
Verse 1: Struggling Without Her
While she’s been away
Living day-to-day has been tough
He struggles to maintain his daily routine now that his partner is gone.
Living feels much harder and heavier without her presence, which implies that she is a foundational support in his life.
Without her at my side
Simply being alive’s been rough
Being away from her has made his existence a challenging experience.
He finds life itself to be unpleasant or harsh without her close by. Her absence affects his overall state of mind and well-being.
Pre-Chorus 1: Playing the Reunion in His Head
And though she won’t be gone forever
There are many times I find it feels that way
Even though he knows their separation is temporary, the time apart feels endless.
The wait is so difficult that he sometimes loses sight of the future, feeling as though she has left him permanently, which amplifies his current sadness.
And I’m not trying to forget her
Just understand how I’ll be feeling on that day
He doesn’t want to erase her from his thoughts, but instead is rehearsing in his mind how great it will feel when they finally reunite.
He is preoccupied with imagining the joy he’ll feel when he sees her face again after the long wait.
Chorus: Falling in Love All Over
It’s just like seeing her for the first time again
He misses her so much that seeing her again will feel brand new, like falling in love all over.
Her return will instantly refresh his feelings, reigniting the connection they share.
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Verse 2: Finding a Way to Cope
The time she’s not around
Somewhere out of town, has been hard
He struggles to get through the days while she is away.
The casual way he says “somewhere out of town” suggests he is trying to act normal, but underneath, the separation has left him unsettled and uneasy.
Life without her feels heavier, and even simple routines are harder to manage.
But somehow this old heart
Found time to work it out this far
Despite the difficulty, he manages to keep going. He’s giving himself credit for surviving the absence.
Love has carried him through even when days felt unbearable.
Pre-Chorus 2: Knowing She’s Coming Home
No, I know she’s coming home soon
There are times I find it hard to feel that way
He reassures himself that the reunion is close, yet in weaker moments, that truth feels far away.
His feelings of sadness make it difficult to fully believe the separation is almost over, creating an inner conflict between what he knows and how he feels.
It’s not inside me to forget her
Just understand how I’ll be feeling on that day
He knows forgetting her is impossible, so instead he focuses on what that moment of reunion will mean.
The idea of her return is what keeps him moving, even if the wait drains him.
The repetition of this thought from earlier shows how he clings to the fantasy of seeing her again as a survival tool.
“For the First Time” Song Meaning: Longing, Distance, and Reconnection
“For the First Time” is about the ache of separation and the anticipation of reunion. DeMarco describes the difficulty of living without someone who makes life feel worth it. Everyday tasks become difficult, but the promise of her return gives him something to hold onto.
The entire song builds toward the climax of the reunion. The anticipation he feels shows that the separation has not weakened the relationship but has magnified his appreciation for his partner. He believes that the moment they are together again will be so powerful that it will completely reset his love for her.
Songs Like “For the First Time”
If you’re a fan of “For the First Time,” here are some songs with similar themes:
1. “Home” by Michael Bublé
Michael Bublé’s hit is about the frustration of being away from someone you love. The lyrics focus on how travel and success mean little without the comfort of being together.
Related: Best Songs About Missing Someone
2. “Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s
A well-known long-distance love song, “Hey There Delilah” deals with the tension between missing someone and holding on through promises of being reunited.
Related: Best One-Hit Wonders
3. “Set Fire to the Third Bar” by Snow Patrol ft. Martha Wainwright
This duet portrays two people imagining they’re close even though they’re far apart. It’s about the emptiness of separation and wanting to be back together.
4. “Leaving on a Jet Plane” by John Denver
In this classic, Denver sings about the sadness of saying goodbye to someone he doesn’t want to leave. It’s about the heartbreak of departure and the longing to return as soon as possible.
Related: Best Songs About Flying
Conclusion: Separation and Anticipation
In “For the First Time,” Mac DeMarco sings about how hard it can be when someone you care about isn’t around. Everything feels more difficult to do, but the thought of being reunited keeps his hope alive.
The song is about both the pain of waiting and the rush of seeing a loved one again after time apart. That reunion feels brand new, like love has been reset, and it makes all the waiting worth it.
You can listen to “For the First Time” on Spotify and Amazon.
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