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 For the first time (First time in a long time) Oh, the first time (First time in a long time) I can be myself (Oooh) Oh 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 For the first time (First time in a long time) Oh, the first time (First time in a long time) I can see myself (Oooh) Don't have to try no more No more, child, no First time in a long time First time in a long time Oooh 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 For the first time in a long time First time in a long time Oooh (Yes, I can be myself) First time in a long time (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 (First time) First time in a long time (Ooh, yeah) Oooh First time in a long time First time in a long time Oooh (Yes, I can be myself) First time in a long time First time in a long time Oooh First time in a long time First time in a long time Oooh (I can be myself) Oh, oh, oh, yeah