First Time (feat. Ellie Goulding)

Kygo's 'First Time' featuring Ellie Goulding is a song that encapsulates the bittersweet nature of nostalgia and the longing for the carefree days of youth. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of young love and rebellion, with references to running red lights and giving the middle finger as a peace sign. These actions symbolize a disregard for the rules and an embrace of living in the moment, a common sentiment during one's youth. The song's chorus, 'We were high and we were sober, we were under, we were over, we were young and now I'm older, but I'd do it all again,' speaks to the intensity of the experiences and emotions felt during that time, suggesting that despite the passage of time and the wisdom that comes with age, there is a desire to relive those moments.

The second verse continues to delve into the theme of nostalgia by reminiscing about specific youthful escapades, such as getting drunk on a train track and trying cigarettes for the first time. The mention of 'ten dollars was a fat stack' and the transformation of 'your dad's black Honda' into a 'Maybach' through the eyes of the young lovers highlights the simplicity and innocence of the past, where small things felt grand and every moment was an adventure. The repetition of 'I'd do it all again' emphasizes the longing to return to that time, despite the knowledge that it's impossible.

The song's bridge, with its repetition of 'stack stack, stack stack, oh oh' and 'speed speed, speed speed oh oh,' serves as a metaphor for the accumulation of memories and the rapid pace at which life moves. It's a reminder that while we can't turn back time, the memories of our first experiences, especially those of love and freedom, remain with us forever. Kygo and Ellie Goulding's collaboration on 'First Time' creates a nostalgic anthem that resonates with anyone who has ever looked back on their youth with both fondness and a touch of regret for the passage of time.