When I Was 13 I Had My First Love Lyrics

I get asked this one a lot in music-chat threads, and it's a juicy little trivia rabbit hole. If you mean the catchy club anthem with the line "Baby don't hurt me," the lyrics to 'What Is Love' first showed up publicly on the 1993 single by Haddaway — that's the Eurodance track that exploded in clubs and on radio. I still vividly recall hearing it looped in a late-night mix and asking my friend what the hook even meant; those exact words were released as the recorded lyrics when the single and then the album 'The Album' came out in 1993, which is where most people first encountered them. That said, the phrase "what is love" isn't owned by that one song. An earlier pop tune with almost the same title, 'What Is Love?' by Howard Jones, was out as a single in 1983 and later appeared on the album 'Human's Lib' — same question in a new wave package. And if you back away from pop music, the question "what is love?" is ancient: philosophers in 'Symposium' and poets through the ages have asked it in different words. So, short of a time machine, the 1993 Haddaway single is where those specific lyrics "Baby don't hurt me" and the modern dance phrasing first appeared, while the general question turns up all over literature and older songs. If you meant a different song, tell me which one and I’ll dig into that release history with you — I love tracing these paths.

Funny little music nerd moment: I dug into this because I used to flip between early-70s pressings and the versions sounded like cousins, not twins. The lyrics for 'Ready for Love' were first printed and sung on Mott the Hoople's release — the song was written by Mick Ralphs and appears on the band's self-titled record 'Mott the Hoople'. That pre-dates the more famous cut by Bad Company. A lot of people trace the song to 'Bad Company' (their 1974 debut) because Paul Rodgers' vocal and the heavier arrangement made it more radio-friendly. But the words themselves, and the original take on the melody, showed up with Mott the Hoople. If you like little historical dives like I do, comparing the two recordings is a treat: different moods, same core lyrics, and a neat lesson in how production and a singer can reshape a song. I still catch new details every time I switch versions on my playlist.

There’s something cozy about tracing a lyric back to its first public breath, and for 'Love Me or Leave Me' that breath came in the late 1920s. The line was first published as part of the pop standard 'Love Me or Leave Me', with music by Walter Donaldson and lyrics by Gus Kahn, and it was introduced to audiences in the Broadway musical 'Whoopee!' in 1928. The sheet music and early recordings from that year are what fixed the words in popular culture. I nerd out over old sheet music and 78 rpm records, so I love that you can actually find Ruth Etting’s name tied to those early performances — she helped make the song a hit. From there the lyric spread: bandleaders, jazz singers, and later movie musicals carried it forward. The 1955 biopic 'Love Me or Leave Me' starring Doris Day re-popularized both the tune and the phrase for a whole new generation, but historically the first appearance of the lyrics is in that 1928 composition.

The timeless classic 'I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You' has resonated with hearts since its lyrics were first released in 1961. Originally sung by Elvis Presley for the film 'Blue Hawaii', the song captures that charming, yet bittersweet vibe of falling head over heels in love. Just thinking about the gentle melody brings back memories of cozy evenings spent listening to classic tracks. I’ve had a few friends who’ve recited the lyrics during romantic dinners, and it almost always hits that nostalgic spot. It's fascinating how much music can transport you back in time, connecting you with moments from your own life or someone else's. I can still recall a time when my friend and I decided to create our own karaoke night at home. Guess which song was the highlight? Yep, we belted 'I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You', and despite our off-key singing, the joy in the room was unmistakable. This song serves as a beautiful reminder of how love spans generations—my grandparents adored it, too! It’s one of those pieces that bridge the gap across time, making you reflect on your relationships, whether new or long-standing. If you haven’t listened to it thoughtfully, I’d say give it a shot! Close your eyes and let the lyrics wash over you. You might discover layers of meaning you hadn’t noticed before. It’s just one of those songs that evokes a tapestry of emotions, making it unforgettable.

I binge-read both books back-to-back, and the comparison makes perfect sense. 'Binding 13' and 'Ugly Love' dive into messy, emotionally charged relationships where love isn’t pretty—it’s raw and complicated. Both male leads, Johnny and Miles, are emotionally closed-off athletes with trauma, while the female protagonists (Shannon and Tate) chip away at their walls. The pacing hits similar beats: slow burns with explosive physical chemistry, miscommunication tropes that make you groan, and gut-wrenching third-act breakups. The sports backdrop adds tension—rugby vs. aviation—but it’s the bruised hearts that shine. Fans of Colleen Hoover’s angst will devour Chloe Walsh’s grittier take on love’s battlefield.

In 'Binding 13', the main love interests are Johnny Kavanagh and Shannon Lynch. Johnny is the star rugby player at their high school, known for his bad boy reputation but secretly carrying deep emotional scars. Shannon is the shy, bullied new girl with a heart condition that makes her life constantly fragile. Their romance starts with Johnny noticing her quiet strength and gradually becomes protective of her. The chemistry between them is electric—he's all rough edges and raw energy, while she's soft-spoken but resilient. Their relationship develops through stolen moments and intense emotional exchanges, with Johnny learning to open up about his past and Shannon finding courage in his support. The story beautifully captures how love can heal even the deepest wounds when two broken people find each other.

There’s something about walking into a thrift shop and finding a scratched 45 rpm that makes music history feel personal — that’s how I first dug into the story of 'One Love'. The earliest version of the song was cut by The Wailers in 1965 and released as a single on the Jamaican Studio One label. So if you’re asking when the lyrics were first out in the world, 1965 is the right starting point: that original ska/reggae take carried the phrase and the core message of unity into circulation among listeners in Jamaica and beyond. The version most people hum today is actually a reworked take from 1977, the medley titled 'One Love/People Get Ready' which appeared on the album 'Exodus'. That later arrangement polished the production and folded in lines from 'People Get Ready', giving it wider international exposure and radio play. I like listening to both back-to-back; the 1965 single feels raw, immediate, and rooted in Jamaican sound-system culture, while the 1977 version feels like a global invitation. Either way, the lyrics’ call for unity have been around since that first 1965 release, and they’ve only grown in meaning every time I sing along at a summer cookout or hear them in a movie scene.

I've always been fascinated by the history of biblical translations, and John 13 holds a special place in my heart. From what I've gathered, the first translations of John 13 into modern languages began during the Reformation in the 16th century. Martin Luther's German translation of the New Testament in 1522 included John 13, making it accessible to German speakers. Around the same time, William Tyndale was working on his English translation, which also featured John 13. These early efforts were groundbreaking, as they allowed ordinary people to read the Bible in their own languages for the first time. It's incredible to think about how these translations shaped religious and cultural history.