“First Man” is Camila Cabello’s heartfelt message to her father. The song opens up about her father’s worries about her dating life, more specifically about the guy she was dating at the time of writing this song. It perfectly captures the thoughts going through a father’s head when his daughter finally becomes old enough to make her own choices, especially when it comes to life partners. No matter what her dad will be the ‘first man’ who loved her unconditionally.
Camila Cabello released her second studio album ‘Romance‘ on December 6, 2019. The album, according to Camila, is mostly about falling in love, an ado to her current boyfriend Shawn Mendes. But the lyrics in “First Man” are universal, as every father has to go through the same uneasy feelings at some point in their life.
In an interview with Spotify, Camila Cabello revealed the inspiration behind this song and what it means to her; “First Man” was actually the first song that I wrote for the album and I remember walking to the studio that day. I had a bunch of lyrics and a bunch of ideas, but I started talking about my dad. And I started getting really emotional about it. I’ve heard that song – I don’t know how many times – every single time I picture my dad’s face and it makes me cry. I think it’s just going to be a song that I listen to when I’m 80 years old and it’ll make me sob in the same way because I’ve immortalized a memory of somebody that was one of the people that I love most in the entire world.”
Listen to “First Man” by Camila Cabello
Buy ‘Romance’ Album on Apple Music and Amazon
Verse 1
In these lyrics, Camila narrates a dating encounter. Her boyfriend is at the door and her dad has a million questions for her. Is she getting late to come back? Is she staying the night? Are you all going to get drinks? What kind of a person is he? Does he treat you well? and on and on. We hear these questions through the answers given by Camila to ease her father’s mind.
Pre-chorus
Camila’s father’s sweet gestures have not stopped still. He offers her a jacket because it is cold outside. He puts on a worrisome face, just because he is.
Chorus
In the chorus of the song, Camila tries her best to convince her father that everything will be okay. He assures him that this guy really likes her and will not hurt her. She doesn’t even bother asking her dad not to wait up till she returns, because she knows he will. Camila’s sweetest words to her father, Alejandro, is that no matter how many come and go in her life, her dad is and will be the first man who loved her unconditionally.
Verse 2
In the second verse, Camila talks about splitting her time between her father and her lover. Of eight days leave, she is coming home only for four. The balance days, she will be spending with her new man in her life.
In the second pre-chorus, we hear that Camila has already met her boyfriend’s family. She tells this news to her dad to assure him that his parents are just like hers, and they really love her too. She really is playing all her cards here.
Bridge/second chorus
In the bridge and the final chorus of “First Man,” Camila Cabello narrates a wedding scene. She is standing at behind the door to the church, holding her father’s hand. He is about to walk her down the aisle and give her off to the new man. He has teary eyes, and it is a first for Camila. Amidst the tears, her father manages to utter those words that every daughter dreams of hearing; “You’ve never looked so beautiful/You know you’ll always be my little girl”
Camila Cabello really touches a nerve in all the girls and their fathers with this song. Let us hear what this song means to you in the comments below.
Update: 26/01/2020
Camila Cabello performed “First Man” live at the 2020 Grammy Awards, a dedication to her father, Alejandro Cabello. He was Camila’s plus one to the event and was seen shedding a tear as her daughter performed this tribute song. Watch below.