Music has this weird way of pinning down a moment in time so accurately that it hurts. Honestly, when Danny O'Donoghue, Mark Sheehan, and Glen Power released "For the First Time" back in 2010, nobody expected it to become the definitive anthem for an entire generation facing economic collapse. But it did. The for the first time the script lyrics didn't just lean on generic "I love you" tropes; they talked about the gritty, uncomfortable reality of a couple sitting on a floor because they couldn't afford furniture. It was visceral.
You've probably been there. Maybe not literally drinking cheap wine on a carpeted floor, but that feeling of the world shrinking around you? That's universal. The song kicked off their second album, Science & Faith, and it didn't just climb the charts—it stayed there because it felt honest.
The Story Behind the Struggle
The Script has always been good at being "the people’s band." They’re from Dublin. They know what it’s like when the money runs out. When they wrote the for the first time the script lyrics, Ireland—and most of the world—was reeling from the 2008 financial crisis. People were losing jobs. Houses were being foreclosed.
Danny O’Donoghue once mentioned in an interview that the song was inspired by coming home and seeing his friends going through the ringer. It wasn't about him being a rockstar. It was about the people he left behind who were suddenly "back to square one." That line in the song—“she’s all messed up and looking for my help”—is so heavy because it’s not just about emotional support. It’s about the weight of being the one who has to hold it all together when the bank account is at zero.
Breaking Down the For The First Time The Script Lyrics
Let’s look at that opening. “Smiling at strangers, don't learn their names.” That’s the classic mask we all wear. You’re out in public, acting like everything is fine, keeping people at arm’s length because if they get too close, they might see the cracks. The song captures that exhaustion of performing "fine" when you're actually falling apart.
Then comes the pivot. The part where they’re “drinking cheap wine, moving your things.” This is where the songwriting shines. Instead of a big, cinematic breakup, it’s a quiet, domestic realization. Most people think of romance as flowers and dinners. The Script says romance is actually staying when the flowers die and the dinners are toast. It’s about re-meeting the person you love in the middle of a crisis.
“But these things occur, in any world.” That's a bit of a shrug, isn't it? Like, yeah, life is messy. Get used to it.
The chorus is the kicker. “But when a heart breaks, no, it don't break even.” Wait, no—that’s a different song. (See? Even experts get the Script’s catalog crossed sometimes). In for the first time the script lyrics, the chorus is about the "greatest feeling." It’s ironic, almost. The greatest feeling is falling in love again because you’ve both been stripped of everything else. When you have no money, no status, and no plan, all you have left is the person standing in front of you. You see them clearly. For the first time.
Why the "Cheap Wine" Line Matters So Much
Specifics make a song. If they had said "drinking some drinks," the song would be dead. By saying “drinking cheap wine,” they’re signaling a specific class and a specific struggle. It’s relatable. It’s the $5 bottle from the corner store that you drink because you need the buzz to stop worrying about the rent.
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Mark Sheehan, the band’s guitarist who we tragically lost in 2023, was a master at adding these textures. He knew that the music needed to feel as raw as the words. The acoustic strumming that drives the track isn't flashy. It's steady. It's like a heartbeat. It’s the sound of someone trying to keep their composure.
The Legacy of Science & Faith
The album Science & Faith was a massive deal. It debuted at number one in both Ireland and the UK. But why? Because it wasn't escapism.
In 2010, the radio was full of Katy Perry and Lady Gaga—highly produced, neon-colored pop. Then comes these three guys from Dublin singing about the "recession blues." It shouldn't have worked. But it did because it was the truth. The for the first time the script lyrics acted as a mirror.
People often forget that the band was under huge pressure for this second album. The "sophomore slump" is a real thing. They had just come off the success of "The Man Who Can’t Be Moved." They could have written a flashy pop record. Instead, they went deeper into the struggle. They leaned into the "Faith" part of the title—not necessarily religious faith, but the faith that things will eventually be okay if you just hang on.
A Different Kind of Love Song
Most love songs are about the "honeymoon phase."
Everything is perfect.
The sun is shining.
Nobody has a mortgage.
The Script writes "Phase Two" love songs.
The "we've been together five years and the car just broke down" kind of love.
That’s why people still search for these lyrics today. They aren't just words; they're a validation of the grind. When Danny sings “We're back to square one, we're sinking like a stone,” he isn't being dramatic for the sake of it. He’s describing the feeling of losing your footing. But the song isn’t a tragedy. It’s a survival guide.
Technical Nuance: The Vocal Delivery
If you listen closely to the recording, Danny’s voice is almost conversational in the verses. He’s not "singing" yet; he’s telling a story. This is a deliberate choice. It makes the listener feel like they’re sitting in that room with the cheap wine.
By the time the bridge hits—“Oh, these times are hard, yeah, they're making us as cold as the soul”—the intensity ramps up. The drums kick in harder. The "soul" he's talking about isn't just a metaphor; it's a reference to the hardening that happens when you're under constant stress. You get cynical. You get cold. The song is a plea to stay warm, to stay human.
Common Misinterpretations
Some people think "For the First Time" is a breakup song.
It’s really not.
It’s a "staying together" song.
There’s a massive difference.
A breakup song is about the end; this is about a new beginning born out of a mess.
Another misconception is that it’s purely political. While the economic climate influenced it, the core is deeply personal. It’s about how external pressures (like a bad economy) put a strain on internal relationships. It’s about the friction between the world out there and the home in here.
How to Truly Appreciate the Track Today
If you haven't heard it in a while, go back and listen without the music video. Just the audio. Focus on the lyrics. In the context of 2026, where the cost of living is a constant headline, these words feel eerily fresh again.
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Actionable Insights for Songwriters and Fans
- For Songwriters: Notice how the song uses physical objects (cheap wine, things on the floor) to tell an emotional story. Don't just say you're sad; show us the empty fridge.
- For Fans: Look at the lyrics as a reminder that "square one" isn't a death sentence. It’s a reset.
- For Musicians: Study the transition from the spoken-word style of the verses to the anthemic chorus. It’s a lesson in building tension and release.
The reality is that for the first time the script lyrics will likely remain relevant as long as there are people trying to make ends meet while keeping their hearts intact. It’s a gritty, beautiful piece of Irish storytelling that transcends its 2010 origins.
To get the most out of the song's meaning, try journaling about a time you felt like you were "back to square one." Compare those feelings to the lyrics. You'll find that the band captured nuances—like the "smiling at strangers" bit—that you probably felt but couldn't quite put into words. This is the power of a well-written song: it gives a voice to the quietest struggles. Finally, check out the live versions from their homecoming show at the Aviva Stadium; the way the crowd screams "greatest feeling" back at the band is a testament to the song's enduring grip on the public consciousness.