"If You Met Me First" by Eric Ethridge explores the bittersweet emotions and longing for a love that could have been. The lyrics depict a situation where the narrator sees someone they deeply care about with someone else, regretting not having met them first. The song begins with the narrator questioning the intense gaze of the person they desire. They express frustration that their feelings are not reciprocated by the other person, who already has someone else in their arms. The longing and desire become more evident as the narrator reflects on the missed opportunities and wonders how long they can continue living in this painful state. The chorus delves into the idea that in a different time and place, things might have worked out between the narrator and their love interest. They believe that if they had met first, their relationship would have flourished. The disappointment is heightened by the fact that they never had the chance to try and see if their love could truly flourish. The second verse reveals the narrator's introspection, exploring their conflicted thoughts about crossing certain boundaries in their mind. They struggle with the idea of stealing their love interest from someone else, knowing deep down that it's not right. Their heart doesn't want to acknowledge the truth, demonstrating the internal struggle they face. The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the narrator's belief that in a different circumstance, their love would have been reciprocated. The lyrics express the narrator's longing, but also their acceptance that they cannot hold onto false hope. They don't want to know for sure if their love interest feels the same way or not. The song concludes with a reiteration of the chorus, underscoring the belief that the love could have been if they had met first. The final lines emphasize the regret and longing, with the narrator acknowledging that the other person would have loved them if they had been given the chance. Overall, "If You Met Me First" portrays the ache and yearning for a love that could have been, as the narrator reflects on the missed opportunities and wonders about the possibilities if they had met differently.
