The First Step

Will Wood And The Tapeworms' song 'The First Step' delves into the tumultuous relationship between the protagonist and alcohol. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person grappling with addiction, using dark humor and self-deprecation to convey the gravity of their situation. The opening lines, 'You could say I'm plastered 'cause I hit the wall / I lost count after 21 / In the college crawl,' set the tone for a narrative steeped in excessive drinking and the consequences that follow.

The song's protagonist is acutely aware of their destructive behavior, referring to themselves as a 'boozin' bastard' and lamenting their inability to connect with others due to their addiction. The line 'With an enemy like me, who would need a friend?' underscores the internal conflict and self-loathing that often accompany substance abuse. The recurring motif of seeing the glass as 'half full' but ultimately drinking it anyway highlights the protagonist's struggle to maintain a positive outlook while being consumed by their addiction.

Throughout the song, there are references to the physical and emotional toll of alcoholism, such as the fear of choking on vomit and the desire to avoid becoming an organ donor due to reckless behavior. The mention of an EKG for the broken-hearted symbolizes the deep emotional pain masked by the protagonist's drinking habits. The song's dark humor, evident in lines like 'I'll kill two birds with one stoner,' adds a layer of complexity, making the listener both empathize with and question the protagonist's choices. Ultimately, 'The First Step' is a raw and unflinching exploration of addiction, self-destruction, and the difficult path to recovery.