If you’ve ever found yourself shouting about "the devil’s nectar" in a crowded room or your own car, you know exactly what we’re talking about. The First Step Will Wood lyrics aren't just a collection of words set to a frantic, circus-rock beat. They’re a visceral, almost uncomfortably honest look at the spiral of addiction and the performative nature of recovery.
Will Wood, particularly during his era with The Tapeworms, became a sort of underground icon for the "everything all at once" style of songwriting. The First Step is the third track on the 2015 album Everything is a Lot. It stands out. It's loud. It’s a mess of piano keys and brass that feels like it’s about to fall off the rails at any second.
But it doesn't. And that's the point.
The Chaos of the First Verse
The song starts with a literal "one, two, three, four!" and then we’re off. The opening lines immediately set the scene of a barroom floor. "Well, I bet that you’re not sorry / For the things you’ve done." It’s a direct confrontation. But who is he talking to? Is it the listener? Is it himself? Honestly, it’s probably both.
He mentions "the devil’s nectar." It’s a classic euphemism for alcohol, but the way Wood delivers it feels less like a poetic metaphor and more like a sneer. There’s a lot of self-loathing baked into these early lines. When he talks about "drinking your dinner," he’s hitting on a very real, very grim reality of late-stage alcoholism where calories only come in liquid form.
You’ve got this weird juxtaposition of a boisterous, swing-style rhythm and lyrics that are basically a cry for help. It’s jarring. It’s supposed to be.
Why "The First Step" Isn't About Progress
The title itself is a play on the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. The "first step" in AA is admitting you are powerless over alcohol. But in The First Step Will Wood lyrics, that admission isn't an act of humility. It’s an act of defiance.
"I'm not a victim / I'm a volunteer."
This is one of the most quoted lines in his entire discography. It’s a rejection of the "disease model" of addiction in favor of a more nihilistic, self-blaming perspective. He’s saying, "I chose this." It’s a hard pill to swallow. It shifts the narrative from someone who needs help to someone who is intentionally setting their life on fire.
The songwriting here captures that specific brand of "smart-guy" ego that often comes with substance abuse. You think you’re in control because you’re aware of how bad it is. You think that because you can describe the fire in detail, the flames can't actually burn you.
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Spoiler: They still burn.
The Breakdown of the Chorus
The chorus is where the song really earns its reputation for being a vocal workout. It’s fast. It’s wordy. It’s full of internal rhymes that make your head spin.
"And I'll be your master / I'll be your disaster / I'll be your ever-after."
This section feels like a manic episode. There’s a sense of grandiosity. He’s promising everything and nothing at the same time. This is the "high" before the inevitable "low" that comes in the bridge.
The Bridge and the Reality Check
Things slow down. Sort of. The bridge of The First Step Will Wood lyrics is where the mask starts to slip.
"I'm just a product of my own environment."
Wait. Is he back to blaming his surroundings? Or is he acknowledging that he’s created a cage for himself? It’s a circular argument. That’s the nature of the beast. You drink because you’re sad, and you’re sad because you drink.
He references "the Pink Elephants on parade," a nod to the classic Dumbo hallucination sequence. It’s a clever way to bridge the gap between "whimsical circus music" and "terrifying drug-induced psychosis." By using a Disney reference, Wood highlights the absurdity of the situation. It’s a cartoonish nightmare.
Semantic Layering and Wordplay
Will Wood loves a good pun. Or a bad one. Or just a really complicated one.
Throughout the song, he plays with the idea of "steps." He’s taking a step, he’s stumbling, he’s falling. He mentions being "one step ahead" while also being "ten steps behind." This isn't just clever writing; it’s a rhythmic representation of the gait of a drunk person. The meter of the lyrics often skips or adds an extra beat, mirroring the physical instability described in the text.
If you look at the lyric "I'm a little bit of a piece of shit," it’s blunt. There’s no flowery language there. It’s a stark contrast to the earlier, more complex lines. This "simple" honesty is what makes the song feel human. It’s not all metaphors. Sometimes it’s just a guy admitting he’s messed up.
The Role of the Piano in the Narrative
While we’re focusing on the lyrics, you can’t separate them from the piano work. The keys are doing just as much storytelling as the vocals. They provide the "alcohol" to the lyrics' "hangover."
When the lyrics get more aggressive, the piano becomes more percussive. When the lyrics become more introspective, the piano leans into those jazz-influenced, discordant chords. It’s a conversation between the man and his instrument.
Comparisons to Other Will Wood Tracks
To really get the The First Step Will Wood lyrics, you have to look at where they sit in his catalog.
- 6up 5oh Cop-Out (Pro / Con): This track deals with the external consequences (the law).
- Chemical Overreaction / Compound Fracture: This one deals with the biological side.
- The First Step: This is the internal, psychological battleground.
In later albums, like The Normal Album or In Case I Make It, Wood’s approach to these themes changed. He got sober. The music became less "chaotic" in a literal sense and more structured. But The First Step remains the definitive anthem of that early, unrefined period of his career. It’s the sound of someone who is still in the thick of it, not someone looking back from the safety of the shore.
Addressing the Misconceptions
Some people think this is a "party song." It’s understandable. It’s upbeat. It has a horn section. People play it at parties.
But if you actually listen to the words, it’s one of the darkest songs in his repertoire. It’s a song about the loss of identity. It’s about the moment you realize your personality has been entirely replaced by a chemical. Calling it a party song is like calling Born in the U.S.A. a patriotic anthem—it’s missing the entire point of the verses.
Another common misconception is that the song glorifies this lifestyle. It doesn't. If anything, it’s a warning. The exhaustion in Wood’s voice by the end of the track is palpable. He’s tired. The "show" is over, but he’s still on stage because he doesn't know how to leave.
The Cultural Impact and "The Tapeworms" Era
During the mid-2010s, there was a resurgence of "theatrical" indie rock. Think Panic! At The Disco’s first album, but weirder and with more existential dread. Will Wood and the Tapeworms fit perfectly into this niche, and The First Step became their flagship.
Fans on platforms like Tumblr and later TikTok gravitated toward these lyrics because they felt "real" in a way that polished pop didn't. There’s a raw, jagged edge to the writing that resonates with anyone who has felt like they’re performing their own life.
The community surrounding these lyrics often discusses the "Will Wood Persona." For a long time, Wood was known for his eccentric stage presence—confetti, face paint, and erratic behavior. The First Step is the blueprint for that persona. It’s the origin story of the character he was playing before he eventually moved toward a more authentic, vulnerable style of performance.
Practical Insights for the Listener
If you’re trying to analyze these lyrics for a project or just for your own curiosity, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Context Matters: Listen to Everything is a Lot as a whole. The transition from 6up 5oh into The First Step is crucial for understanding the narrative of the album.
- Look for the References: Wood draws from AA literature, classic literature, and even old-school cartoons. Identifying these helps peel back the layers of his songwriting.
- Notice the Pacing: The song speeds up as it goes. This isn't accidental. It’s meant to mimic the loss of control that comes with intoxication.
- The "Volunteer" Line: Focus on that line. It’s the thesis statement of the entire song. It’s about the complicated relationship between agency and addiction.
Moving Forward with the Music
Understanding The First Step Will Wood lyrics requires a bit of empathy and a willingness to look at the darker parts of the human psyche. It’s not an easy listen once you start paying attention to the words, but it is a rewarding one.
If you’re new to Will Wood, don't stop here. The evolution of his lyrics from Everything is a Lot to his later, more acoustic-focused work is one of the most interesting trajectories in modern indie music. You can see him go from using lyrics as a shield to using them as a bridge.
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The best way to truly "get" the song is to watch a live performance from that era if you can find one. You’ll see the physical toll it takes to sing these words. It’s a reminder that art isn't always about being "good" or "pleasant"—sometimes it’s just about being honest.
Next Steps for Deep Diving into Will Wood's Discography:
- Listen to the 2020 Remaster: Compare the original 2015 version of The First Step with the 2020 "Everything is a Lot" remaster to hear how the vocal clarity changes the impact of the lyrics.
- Analyze the "Vampire Culture" Section: If you like the frantic energy of The First Step, look at the lyrics for Suburbia Overture / Greetings from Mary Bell Township! / (Vampire) Culture to see how Wood evolved his "manic" writing style.
- Check the Lyrics to "Main 2022": This track serves as a spiritual successor or a "where am I now" check-in that provides a stark contrast to the mindset presented in The First Step.