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To celebrate #4YearsWithFirstLove, one of our admins has prepared a thread to share their thoughts on what makes the song so meaningful.
(all trans. credits: @/doolsetbangtan)
To celebrate #4YearsWithFirstLove, one of our admins has prepared a thread to share their thoughts on what makes the song so meaningful.
(all trans. credits: @/doolsetbangtan)
First Love is, at its core, a love letter about music. The journey this song takes can best be described as a conversation, and there are clues in the production and structure that contribute to this thought.
The song begins simply with primarily three chords and ambient noise to fill space. The lyrics in the beginning involve Yoongi reminiscing over the first time he saw his piano as a child and the emotions he felt at that time.
Although he addresses the piano in the first few lines, these thoughts seem to be internalized. It sounds more like he’s having a conversation with himself while the piano listens. There’s a tick like a metronome, but it’s off. It should happen every other beat, but it doesn’t.
The piano itself is subdued and quiet. It’s panned to the left and right earphones, allowing him the center space to speak. However, as he moves into his grade school days, the piano melody gets more involved. It picks up every other bar before dying out and letting him continue.
This is where the violins are introduced, and they do the same thing. This seems distinct specifically because these are lines where he reflects on the parts of his past that hurt him - when he left the piano behind. The way they build almost feels like an attempt to comfort him.
Given how he personifies the piano in the next verse, it would make sense why it seems like the music is trying to reassure him. The panning is also interesting - the music comes in from multiple sides. It’s as if the violin/piano are not only talking to him, but also each other.
The conversation between him and the music comes to a head after the piano has finally spoken to him. After this, the piano is panned hard center behind his vocals. At this point, it is no longer speaking over Yoongi - it is only supporting what he’s already saying.
There is one line where, instead of the piano spreading out to allow him to speak like before, it’s him doing it. He pans his vocals both left and right and leaves nothing but the piano in the center. This is where he finally truly engages in the conversation.
After this, the piano falls back behind his vocals, but something has changed. The piano fades out in favor of the violin carrying his last verse, but he doesn’t slow down. When it comes back, there is no reaction. There’s trust there where there was insecurity before.
The melody at the end is the most intricate that its been the entire song. The metronome is back, and it no longer skips a tick. To me, both of these things represent how their relationship has strengthened; they’re right back where they started and yet things feel more complete.
Ending and beginning in a constant cycle is a theme Yoongi promotes often, but alongside this, he reminds you that life will always change. The way this song begins and ends is one of the best ways to show both ideas. Everyone and everything grows, just as he has with his music.
And with that, this thread ends too! Thank you for reading and for celebrating such an amazing work of art with us today. Music is Yoongi’s eternal partner, and there is nothing that could possibly say this more than First Love. #4YearsWithFirstLove
- Admin M.
- Admin M.
