[Verse 1]
I feel I have to tell you
The way it's lately been
Seems that I've been takin'
What I thought was givin' in

But now those times are over
I've counted out my friends
For the first time in a long time
I can be myself again

[Chorus]
For the first time (first time in a long time)
Oh, the first time (first time in a long time)
I can be myself, oh-woah (ooh)

[Verse 2]
It came as I was walkin'
Through the streets of tinsel town
Didn't know just where I'd been
But, surely, I'd gone down

Well, then I saw the answer
And found my own way here
For the first time in a long time
I can see my future clear
[Chorus]
For the first time (first time in a long time)
Oh, the first time (first time in a long time)
I can see myself (ooh)
Don't have to try no more, try no more, no, child

[Bridge]
First time in a long time
First time in a long time, ooh

[Verse 3]
In all the time I've taken
For everybody else
Thought I gave it all away
Kept nothin' for myself

But I have been mistaken
You were with me all the while
For the first time in a long time
I can raise my face and smile

[Chorus]
For the first time in a long time
First time in a long time
Ooh (yes, I can be myself)
First time in a long time (for the first time)
First time in a long time
I can be myself, be myself, be myself
It feels so good now

First time in a long time (for the first time)
First time in a long time (ooh, yeah)
Ooh

First time in a long time
First time in a long time
Ooh (yes, I can be myself)

First time in a long time
First time in a long time
Ooh

First time in a long time
First time in a long time
Ooh (I can be myself, oh-woah-woah, yeah)