Get the lyrics to Tems’ new song “First.” Learn the words for karaoke and understand the song’s message of self-priority and resilience.
The lyrics for Tems’ new single “First” function as a personal manifesto of self-reliance and determination. The song’s central, repeated phrase “I put me first” provides a clear and powerful hook ideal for audience participation. Tems builds the narrative around themes of moving differently and resisting external control. Lines like “They know I’m different, different / All because I’m moving different” establish a tone of defiant individuality.
The pre-chorus directly addresses the pressure of outside influences, stating “they keep trying to control me” and concluding with the need to “change the story.” This lyrical progression gives the chorus its compelling context. The declaration to come in “first” every day transforms the song into an anthem of personal ambition.
tems love is a kingdom
Later verses introduce a deeper layer of introspection, with Tems singing about moving in silence and acknowledging that “without God, I’m nobody.” This blend of self-assurance and spiritual grounding is a recurring element in her songwriting. The lyrics avoid generic empowerment clichés, instead offering a more complex portrait of success that involves internal strength and faith. The repetitive and rhythmic nature of the chorus makes it memorable, perfectly suited for singalongs where the audience can embrace the song’s central message.
Produced by Tems, GuiltyBeatz
21 November 2025
1 song, 3 minutes
℗ 2025 RCA Records/Since 93′
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Giving me more, I’ma give it back
That’s the way I light it up
Hanging by myself these days
That’s the way it’s going now
Pull me back, you know you can’t
But I know you wanna try
Yeah, I know you’d like to try
[Verse 2]
They know I’m different, different
All because I’m moving different, different
They can’t stop me now, I’m different, different
I be movin’ anyway
[Pre-Chorus]
But now they acting like they know me
They keep trying to control me
They don’t care how much it hurts me
And so I have to change the story, story, story
[Chorus]
That’s why I put me fir-fir-fir-first
And every single day, I’m coming for first, fir-first
If you’re gonna run, I’ma come through fir-fir-fir-first
Yeah, I’m gonna do it how I want to, fir-fir-fir-first
[Verse 3]
See, I’m not going back, I’m all new, I’m all-in
In my life, I know why, but I move in silence
I’m sorry they not me, but you know they can’t be
They can’t be
[Verse 4]
I know these streets, I don’t compete, I don’t compete
I know they watching, they still checking about me
And yet, I know that without God, I’m nobody
Eternity is real, that’s the way I feel, I feel, mm
[Chorus]
That’s why I put me fir-fir-fir-first
And every single day, I’m coming for first, fir-first
If you’re gonna run, I’ma come through fir-fir-fir-first
Yeah, I’m gonna do it how I want to, fir-fir-fir-first
[Outro]
Ooh, ooh
Ooh (First, first)
Ooh (Oh, oh)
