First Love

Boyz II Men's song "First Love" is a poignant reflection on the enduring impact of a first romantic relationship. The lyrics convey a deep sense of nostalgia and longing, as the narrator reminisces about a past love that continues to hold a significant place in their heart. The imagery of the last kiss tasting like wine, both sweet and bitter, encapsulates the complex emotions tied to these memories. This duality of sweetness and bitterness is a recurring theme, symbolizing the joy and pain intertwined in the recollection of a first love.

The song delves into the struggle of moving on while still cherishing the lessons and emotions from that initial relationship. The narrator acknowledges that even if they fall in love with someone else, the first love will always be a benchmark, a reference point for future relationships. This sentiment is beautifully captured in the lines, "You were always gonna be my love / And you should know / Even if I fall in love with somebody else / I'll remember to love you taught me how." The idea that the first love taught them how to love suggests a formative experience that shapes their understanding and expression of love in the future.

Throughout the song, there's a palpable sense of yearning and an unfulfilled desire to reconnect with the past. The narrator's attempts to forget and move on are met with the persistent presence of memories that are hard to let go. This emotional struggle is highlighted in the lines, "Time after time / Baby I tried / To forget about our life together / But the memories are so / So hard to let go." The song ultimately serves as a tribute to the enduring influence of a first love, acknowledging its permanent place in the narrator's heart and the indelible mark it leaves on their life.