Music Review: Jonas Brothers "First Time"

Jonas Brothers

First Time

Album: V

Year: 2013

                 Joe Jonas celebrates his friends  in the amiable “First Time.”

                Jovial guitars open the single, setting an idealistic tone. After several tries, he and his friends were able to get together. As he reclines on the lawn chair, he chats with a friend from school. His friend fills him in on what’s been going in his life since they last saw each other: a move Tennesse for a job, another kid.. On his phone, he shows Jonas pictures of the house he and his wife are remodeling. His friend comments on Jonas’ fiancee and another friend from school dancing to Britney Spears’ “Oops…I Did It Again.”  For both he and his friend, it brought back memories from middle school when they were all getting to know each other, hanging out at each other’s houses after classes. (“Such a thrill of a lifetime/What a night for a good time/Let the beat be your lifeline/Make it feel like the first time.”)

            In the chorus, it’s great to be home and seeing close friends again. It’s where he grew up and will always be a welcoming place. (“Oh, oh, oh/Make it feel like the first time/Oh oh, oh, oh, oh/Make it feel like the first time/Come on let it set you free/Right here, right now where you're supposed to be/Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh/Make it feel like the first time.”)

         Jonas calls out to everyone, asking them to gather around. He raises his beer and says he would like to make a toast. He toasts to new begnnings and lifelong friendships. As they all clink their glasses, he thinks of what they will be like ten years from now. (“So let's toast to the good life (good life), yeah, yeah/Just let go and free your mind (free your mind)/Let the beat (let the beat) be your lifeline (lifeline)/Make it feel (make it feel) like the first time (first time).”)

                  The chorus is sung again.

                  In the bridge, he hopes his friends will make their decisions based on what’s right for them and not on their fears. (“Let your heart control your mind/Make it feel like the first time.”)

                 The chorus is sung again to close the single.  

        Jonas’ reserved, brooding vocals take in the evening air, noting how much time has past and what could happen next. His contemplation adds complexity to the otherwise repetitive and generic lyrics.

       The solemn “First Time” appears to theadbare but a closer look shows an intricate stitching pattern.