First Time (Robin Beck song)

"First Time"
"First Time"
Single by Sunblock featuring Robin Beck
B-side	"Main Funktion"
Released	May 8, 2006
Length	2:40
Label	Universal, Stockholm
Songwriter(s)	Terry Boyle, Gavin Spencer, Tom Anthony
Producer(s)	Sunblock
Sunblock singles chronology
Robin Beck singles chronology

"First Time"
"First Time"
Single by Robin Beck
from the album Trouble or Nothin'
B-side	"Sleeping with the Enemy"
Released	July 1, 1988
Genre	Rock
Length	3:17
Label	Mercury, Metronome
Songwriter(s)	Gavin Spencer, Tom Anthony, Terry Boyle
Producer(s)	Gavin Spencer, Tom Anthony
Robin Beck singles chronology

"First Time" is a song by American singer Robin Beck from her second album, Trouble or Nothin' (1989). The song was released as a single in July 1988 and was originally recorded for a Coca-Cola commercial in 1987. In the United Kingdom, the power ballad^[2] climbed to No. 1 and spent three weeks there in November and December 1988, spending 14 weeks on the UK Singles Chart in total. The song additionally reached number one in Austria, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, and West Germany. Despite being also released as a single in the US and critically praised by Billboard,^[3] it failed to chart due to business political differences between Mercury Records and Coca-Cola wanting to promote either "First Time" or "Save Up All Your Tears", according to Beck's interview with Rock Eyez in 2009.^[4]

Critical reception

Bill Coleman from Billboard wrote, "Fledgling rock vixen takes another shot at radio approval with this well-sung power ballad."^[5]

Music video

There were two (completely different) professionally filmed music videos for the single. One is almost exclusively performance footage of Beck and her band, shot in a style used by many hair metal acts of the late 1980s. The other version is a "concept" video: At the beginning, Beck is seen in her bathroom, applying mascara and checking her hair, then makes a quick phone call. She goes through her apartment with scenes of her with her boyfriend. She looks out of a window before watching television (more scenes of her with her boyfriend). She flips through a magazine on the mantelpiece (more scenes), then makes another phone call. At the end of the video, the doorbell rings. Beck turns the television off and answers the door, but the person behind the door cannot be seen.^[6]

Track listings

7-inch single^[7]

"First Time" – 3:17
"First Time" (instrumental) – 3:18

12-inch and CD single^[8]^[9]

"First Time" (remix) – 3:18
"First Time" (7-inch version) – 3:17
"First Time" (instrumental) – 3:18

Cassette single^[10]

"First Time" – 3:18
"Sleeping with the Enemy" – 3:35

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1988–1989)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[11]	148
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[12]	1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[13]	1
Denmark (IFPI)^[14]	4
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)^[15]	1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)^[16]	3
France (SNEP)^[17]	4
Greece (IFPI)^[18]	1
Ireland (IRMA)^[19]	1
Italy Airplay (Music & Media)^[20]	1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[21]	1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[22]	1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[23]	43
Norway (VG-lista)^[24]	1
Spain (AFYVE)^[25]	2
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[26]	2
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[27]	1
UK Singles (OCC)^[28]	1
West Germany (GfK)^[1]	1

Year-end charts

Chart (1988)	Position
UK Singles (OCC)^[29]	12

Chart (1989)	Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[30]	12
Belgium (Ultratop)^[31]	39
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[32]	9
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[33]	67
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[34]	85
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[35]	3
West Germany (Media Control)^[36]	3

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
France (SNEP)^[37]	Silver	200,000^*
Germany (BVMI)^[38]	Platinum	500,000^{^}
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)^[39]	Gold	25,000^{^}
United Kingdom (BPI)^[40]	Silver	250,000^{^}
^* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions

The song was covered in Spanish for the Latin American Coca-Cola campaign by Mexican singer Rocío Banquells, under the title "Primera Vez", released on her album En El Alambre.

In 1999, Polish singer Kasia Kowalska recorded a Polish-language version of the song for the Polish Coca-Cola campaign, under the title "Chcę zatrzymać ten czas". Polish singer Margaret also recorded her version of the song titled "Smak radości" for the Polish Coca-Cola commercial.^[41] It was released as a digital download on April 16, 2015.^[42]

Unique version

In 2003, the song was covered by Unique which achieved minor success in Switzerland.

Track listing

CD maxi

"First Time" (radio edit djs@work RMX) — 3:12
"First Time" (video mix free power mix) — 3:48
"First Time" (club mix Patrick Bnton RMX) — 6:38
"First Time" (Ibiza groove mix zero G RMX) — 5:48
"First Time" (trance club mix Unique & toxic RMX) — 7:31
"First Time" (extended mix djs@work RMX) — 6:52
"First Time" (extended mix free power 4 hypnotic) — 6:35

Charts

Chart (2003)	Peak position
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[43]	61

Sunblock version

In May 2006, Sunblock, an electronic music group from Sweden, released a cover of the song with Robin Beck as their second single. It became their second top-10 hit in the United Kingdom, charting at number nine on the UK Singles Chart. Sunblock performed the song on Top of the Pops on May 11, 2006.^[45]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2006)	Peak position
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)^[46]	46
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)^[47]	6
Hungary (Dance Top 40)^[48]	33
Ireland (IRMA)^[19]	10
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[49]	28
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[50]	48
Scotland (OCC)^[51]	3
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[52]	32
UK Singles (OCC)^[53]	9
UK Dance (OCC)^[54]	7

Year-end charts

Chart (2006)	Position
UK Singles (OCC)^[55]	149

References

^ ^a ^b "Offiziellecharts.de – Robin Beck – First Time" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "ROBIN BECK – "First Time"". Freakytrigger.co.uk. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
^ Coleman, Bill (February 3, 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 85. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
^ Beck, Robin (January 2009). "Interview with Robin Beck" (Interview). Interviewed by Brian Rademacher. RockEyez.com. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
^ Coleman, Bill (February 3, 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 85. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
^ "Robin Beck - The First Time". YouTube. January 5, 2009. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
^ First Time (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). Mercury Records. 1988. MER 270, 870 620-7.
^ First Time (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). Mercury Records. 1988. MERX 270, 870 620-1.
^ First Time (European CD single disc notes). Metronome Records, Coca-Cola. 1988. 872 375-2.
^ First Time (Cassette single sleeve). Mercury Records. 1989. 876 870-4.
^ "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received March 7, 2017". Retrieved March 21, 2017 – via Imgur.
^ "Robin Beck – First Time" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Robin Beck – First Time" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ Danish Singles Chart. February 10, 1989.
^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 6. February 11, 1989. p. 18. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
^ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
^ "Robin Beck – First Time" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 9. March 4, 1989. p. 26. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
^ ^a ^b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – First Time". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Playlist Report: RAI - Italy" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 8. February 25, 1989. p. 7.
^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 1, 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
^ "Robin Beck – First Time" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
^ "Robin Beck – First Time". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Robin Beck – First Time". VG-lista. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
^ "Robin Beck – First Time". Singles Top 100. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Robin Beck – First Time". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Robin Beck: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Top 100 Singles: Year-End Chart 1988". Music Week. March 4, 1989. p. 12.
^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1989" (in German). Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Jaaroverzichten 1989" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Eurochart Hot 100 of 1989" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 51. December 23, 1989. p. 6. Retrieved January 17, 2020 – via World Radio History.
^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1989" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1989" (in German). Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1989" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "French single certifications – Beck Robin – First Time" (in French). InfoDisc. Select BECK ROBIN and click OK.
^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Robin Beck; 'First Time')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('First Time')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
^ "British single certifications – Robin Beck – First Time". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Pocałuj Radość – gwiazdorska kampania Coca-Coli z okazji 100 urodzin kultowej butelki" (in Polish). Media2. April 3, 2015. Archived from the original on April 11, 2015. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
^ "Smak Radości – Single by Margaret". iTunes Store (PL). Archived from the original on February 16, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
^ "Unique feat. Robin Beck – First Time". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "First Time". sunblockmusic.com. Archived from the original on August 2, 2007. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
^ "Sunblock to Top of the Pops". sunblockmusic.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2007. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 32. týden 2006 in the date selector. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Sunblock feat. Robin Beck: First Time" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 26, 2006" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Sunblock feat. Robin Beck – First Time" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Sunblock feat. Robin Beck – First Time". Singles Top 100. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2006" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved May 3, 2025.

[ger-1] "Offiziellecharts.de – Robin Beck – First Time" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[2] "ROBIN BECK – "First Time"". Freakytrigger.co.uk. Retrieved April 24, 2021.

[3] Coleman, Bill (February 3, 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 85. Retrieved October 28, 2020.

[4] Beck, Robin (January 2009). "Interview with Robin Beck" (Interview). Interviewed by Brian Rademacher. RockEyez.com. Retrieved March 29, 2019.

[5] Coleman, Bill (February 3, 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 85. Retrieved October 28, 2020.

[6] "Robin Beck - The First Time". YouTube. January 5, 2009. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2014.

[7] First Time (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). Mercury Records. 1988. MER 270, 870 620-7.

[8] First Time (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). Mercury Records. 1988. MERX 270, 870 620-1.

[9] First Time (European CD single disc notes). Metronome Records, Coca-Cola. 1988. 872 375-2.

[10] First Time (Cassette single sleeve). Mercury Records. 1989. 876 870-4.

[11] "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received March 7, 2017". Retrieved March 21, 2017 – via Imgur.

[sc_Austria_Robin_Beck-12] "Robin Beck – First Time" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[sc_Flanders_Robin_Beck-13] "Robin Beck – First Time" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[14] Danish Singles Chart. February 10, 1989.

[15] "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 6. February 11, 1989. p. 18. Retrieved April 24, 2021.

[16] Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.

[sc_France_Robin_Beck-17] "Robin Beck – First Time" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[18] "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 9. March 4, 1989. p. 26. Retrieved September 25, 2020.

[sc_Ireland2_-19] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – First Time". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[20] "Playlist Report: RAI - Italy" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 8. February 25, 1989. p. 7.

[sc_Dutch40_-21] "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 1, 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 31, 2017.

[sc_Dutch100_Robin_Beck-22] "Robin Beck – First Time" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 31, 2017.

[sc_New_Zealand_Robin_Beck-23] "Robin Beck – First Time". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[sc_Norway_Robin_Beck-24] "Robin Beck – First Time". VG-lista. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[25] Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.

[sc_Sweden_Robin_Beck-26] "Robin Beck – First Time". Singles Top 100. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[sc_Switzerland_Robin_Beck-27] "Robin Beck – First Time". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[sc_UKsinglesbyname_Robin_Beck-28] "Robin Beck: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[29] "Top 100 Singles: Year-End Chart 1988". Music Week. March 4, 1989. p. 12.

[30] "Jahreshitparade Singles 1989" (in German). Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[31] "Jaaroverzichten 1989" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[32] "Eurochart Hot 100 of 1989" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 51. December 23, 1989. p. 6. Retrieved January 17, 2020 – via World Radio History.

[33] "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[34] "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1989" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[35] "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1989" (in German). Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[36] "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1989" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[FranceBeck_RobinFirst_TimesingleCertRef-37] "French single certifications – Beck Robin – First Time" (in French). InfoDisc. Select BECK ROBIN and click OK.

[GermanyRobin_BeckFirst_TimesingleCertRef-38] "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Robin Beck; 'First Time')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.

[SwitzerlandRobin_BeckFirst_TimesingleCertRef-39] "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('First Time')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.

[United_KingdomRobin_BeckFirst_TimesingleCertRef-40] "British single certifications – Robin Beck – First Time". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[41] "Pocałuj Radość – gwiazdorska kampania Coca-Coli z okazji 100 urodzin kultowej butelki" (in Polish). Media2. April 3, 2015. Archived from the original on April 11, 2015. Retrieved May 3, 2016.

[42] "Smak Radości – Single by Margaret". iTunes Store (PL). Archived from the original on February 16, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2016.

[sc_Switzerland_Unique_feat._Robin_Beck-43] "Unique feat. Robin Beck – First Time". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[44] "First Time". sunblockmusic.com. Archived from the original on August 2, 2007. Retrieved May 3, 2025.

[45] "Sunblock to Top of the Pops". sunblockmusic.com. Archived from the original on February 28, 2007. Retrieved May 3, 2025.

[sc_Czech_Republic_-46] "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 32. týden 2006 in the date selector. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[sc_Finland_Sunblock_feat._Robin_Beck-47] "Sunblock feat. Robin Beck: First Time" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[sc_Hungarydance_-48] "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[d40sun-49] "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 26, 2006" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[sc_Dutch100_Sunblock_feat._Robin_Beck-50] "Sunblock feat. Robin Beck – First Time" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[sc_Scotland_-51] "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[sc_Sweden_Sunblock_feat._Robin_Beck-52] "Sunblock feat. Robin Beck – First Time". Singles Top 100. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[sc_UK_-53] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[sc_UKdance_-54] "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 13, 2022.

[55] "The Official UK Singles Chart 2006" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved May 3, 2025.

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v t e Margaret
Awards and nominations Discography Songs
Studio albums	Add the Blonde Just the Two of Us Monkey Business Gaja Hornby Maggie Vision
EPs	All I Need
Singles	"Thank You Very Much" "Wasted" "Start a Fire" "Heartbeat" "Smak radości" "'Deed I Do" "Just the Two of Us" "Coraz bliżej święta" "Cool Me Down" "Elephant" "Blue Vibes" "What You Do" "Byle jak" "In My Cabana" "Tempo"
Featured singles	"Let It Snow!"
Concert tours	Gaja Hornby Tour
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