The First Time

Kelsea Ballerini - The First Time: Guitar Chords

Learn to play "The First Time" on your guitar with our detailed chord guide and lyrics. This page provides everything you need to perform this song on the guitar, including lyrics integrated with chords, chord diagrams, and a key transposer to match your vocal range.

Navigate quickly to the section you need:

Chords and Lyrics - Jump straight to the song's lyrics and chord overlay.
Chord Diagrams and Key Transposition - Access chord diagrams and learn how to transpose the key of the song to suit your voice.

Learn The First Time Guitar Chords and Lyrics by Kelsea Ballerini

This section will guide you through each part of the song, providing the guitar chords placed directly above the lyrics for easy playing. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, these elements will help you perform "The First Time" smoothly on your guitar.

For easier playing, use our Simplify Chords feature to remove difficult chords like barre.

             G#
I put on my make up
          D#
Spray my perfume
            A#                   Cm
Sat on the front porch, waitin' on you
               G#                     D#      A#
Said we would catch up because it had been a while
          G#
I hate to admit it
                  D#
But my hands are shaking
        A#
Barely breathin'
          Cm
Heart is racin'
            G#                    D#           A#
Looks like feelings don't always change their minds

     G#                       D#
But you never called, never showed up
       A#                Cm
Guess somethings never change
     G#                     D#            A#
And just like living in a flashback, you let me down again

Chorus:
                G#                 D#
That's why the past should be the past
 A#                        Cm
Far behind, back of mind, out of the way
         G#                 D#
Let the memories burn and crash
       A#                           Cm
Cause sittin' here looking at the driveway
         G#               D#
Is just tearin' my heart back in half
     A#                            Cm
Like nothing's changed except the time that's passed
     G#                         D#        A#
And that's why good-bye should mean good-bye
           Cm
The first time

I should know better
I hate that I still cry
Lookin' like a fool here watchin' for headlights
And kickin' myself for believin' in you again
I bet you're out drinkin' with a new blonde and
Telling her whatever's playin' is her song
Yeah, and helping her up into your Chevy instead

Even when you don't have me
You can still be the one to hurt me
It must feel good to know
That I'm still holdin' on to letting go

Chorus

Yeah, that's why the past should be the past
Far behind, back of mind, out of the way
Let the memories burn and crash
'Cause sittin' here looking at this driveway
Is just tearin' my heart back in half
Like nothing's changed except the time that's passed
And that's why goodbye should mean goodbye
So now I'm letting you go just like I shoulda tried
The first time
The first time, oh yeah

Yeah, that's why the past should be the past, oh
The first time
Yeah


You can simplify chords by removing barre

Transpose

Reset

Guitar Chord Diagrams

Here you can see detailed diagrams for each guitar chord used in the song. Utilize our key transposer to adjust the chords to a key that better fits your singing range. Simply select the desired key, and the chords throughout this page will update automatically, ensuring you can play and sing comfortably.

Navigate up to:

Chords and Lyrics
Chord Diagrams and Key Transposition

If you are also interested in learning how to play "The First Time" on the ukulele, check out the chords on our sister site: Ukulele Chords for "The First Time" by Kelsea Ballerini.

Kelsea Ballerini - The First Time: Guitar Chords

Learn The First Time Guitar Chords and Lyrics by Kelsea Ballerini

Transpose

Font Size

Guitar Chord Diagrams

Kelsea Ballerini Song List