The First Time (U2 song)
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"The First Time" is a song by Irish rock band U2 from their 1993 album Zooropa. It is the eighth track on the album.
Meaning
"The First Time" was written by Bono during the production period on Zooropa, which rapidly evolved from being a planned EP to a full album. It is notable in its contemplative, personal themes, which stand in contrast to the more technology-inspired songs on Zooropa. Bono wrote the song as being an interpretation of the Biblical story of the Prodigal son.[1] However, in this version, the son ultimately decides not to return home[2]
Reception
"The First Time" has been described by Boston Globe critic Jim Sullivan as having "low key, Reed-ish quietude" [1].
Live performances
On the Zoo TV Tour, U2 premiered "The First Time" as a snippet on 8 August 1993 during their concert at Celtic Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Along with the Rolling Stones' "Fool to Cry", the song was played as an excerpt during the band's performance of "Bad". It was snippeted for eight more shows of the "Zooropa" tour leg.
Twelve years later, "The First Time" was performed in full on the Vertigo Tour, which brought back several songs from different parts of U2's history. It made its debut at Chicago's United Center on 20 September 2005. The song was played for a total of 28 shows and has not appeared since its last performance on 9 December 2006 at Honolulu's Aloha Stadium.
References
- Bibliography
- Stokes, Niall (2005). U2: Into The Heart: The Stories Behind Every Song (Third ed.). New York: Thunder's Mouth Press. ISBN 1-56025-765-2.
- U2 (2006). McCormick, Neil (ed.). U2 by U2. London: HarperCollins. ISBN 0-00-719668-7.
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