# Best Version of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [March 13, 2015, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941 "2015-03-13T23:15:50Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2015, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/1 "2015-03-13T23:15:50Z")
[The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_First_Time_Ever_I_Saw_Your_Face) is one of the best love songs ever written. imho đ Its been recorded by over thirty major artists. Everyone from Mel Torme, Diana Ross, to modern acts like Olâ Dirty Bastard and Jennifer Hudson.
Iâm limiting the poll to versions available on youtube. You can provide multiple choices. I know its hard to pick just one.
Which is your favorite from the choices given?
[Peter Paul Mary](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6x3mRbZo3k)
[Celine Dion](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnXNt4fJqj4)
[Gordon Lightfoot](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5X8cn4zzA8)
[Johnny Cash](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdSIlVZhsDw)
[Jennifer Hudson](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwa-c3eo2kE)
[Leona Lewis](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK7nZGgKSC0)
[Roberta Flack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id_UYLPSn6U)
[George Michael](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FA7OuuL3h4)
[Lyrics](http://www.cowboylyrics.com/tabs/cash-johnny/the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face-24137.html)
Such beautiful lyrics from Ewan MacColl.
> [@](#):
>
> The first time ever I saw your face,
> I thought the sun rose in your eyes,
> And the moon and stars were the gifts you gave,
> To the dark and the endless sky, my love
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### Author:  [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2015, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/2 "2015-03-13T23:24:35Z")
The Flaming Lips with Erykah Badu. (No link, sorryâIâm at work and the video is pretty NSFW. Also NSFTS: not safe for the squeamish.)
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2015, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/3 "2015-03-13T23:27:51Z")
My favorite arrangement is Gordon Lightfootâs. He sings it a bit up tempo and I really like his version.
Celine Dion has the most beautiful vocal of this song. imho Its a close tie which I like. The up tempo version? Or the purity of Dionâs vocals? Tough choice.
Thats why I made the poll multiple choice. đ
Johnny Cash has the most irritating version. imho Itâs like watching paint dry. Painfully, excruciatingly slow and needlessly drawn out. Why is he signing it in such a deep, deep bass? Johnny has a higher range than that.
Roberta Flack has the most famous version. It was the gold standard for quite awhile.
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### Author:  [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2015, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/4 "2015-03-14T00:21:28Z")
I love the Johnny Cash version, mainly for the reasons you dislike it I think! Apart from the ones listed, I also love [June Taborâs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3W7_DnqYYs) version. Again a very slow and melancholy version.
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2015, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/5 "2015-03-14T00:25:07Z")
I hadnât thought about a lost love. That may have been Cashâs approach for his melancholy arrangement. LOL it is quite a different take on the song. It reminds me of his version of Hurt. That same pain and despair in his voice. Hurt took it a lot farther because he was so much older and had gone through so many difficult years.
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### Author:  [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2015, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/6 "2015-03-14T00:37:16Z")
> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> I hadnât thought about a lost love. That may have been Cashâs approach for his melancholy arrangement. LOL it is quite a different take on the song. It reminds me of his version of Hurt. That same pain and despair in his voice. Hurt took it a lot farther because he was so much older and had gone through so many difficult years.
I think itâs one of the marks of a great song that it can have more than one meaning, especially a love song. A young, happy person just starting out in love is going to have a very different view to someone whoâs been married for decades, and someone whoâs lost their love in whatever way will have a different one again.
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2015, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/7 "2015-03-14T00:52:40Z")
Thatâs a good point. I hadnât thought of the song that way before. I should have given Cash more credit. Iâll listen to his version some more and give it another chance.
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### Author:  [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2015, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/8 "2015-03-14T01:56:07Z")
Are you kidding? It can only ever be Roberta Flack. Her voice outright owns that song.
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### Author:  [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2015, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/9 "2015-03-14T02:05:02Z")
You can hear every half-torn reminiscent memory of love in Johnny Cashâs failing voice.
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2015, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/10 "2015-03-14T02:14:34Z")
:smack: I just realized Cash recorded this late in life. I thought it was a cover he did the the late 1960âs (when it was so popular). That explains his raspy deep voice. He was an entirely different artist on those last albums. Much darker and more contemplative.
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### Author:  [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2015, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/11 "2015-03-14T02:21:48Z")
Robertaâs version is my #1 favorite recording of any song ever.
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### Author:  [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2015, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/12 "2015-03-14T03:02:33Z")
[Emma Thompson as Nanny G](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2aQ5y7Fu2E) on _Cheers_. (21:35)
Otherwise, Roberta Flack.
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### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2015, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/13 "2015-03-14T03:16:47Z")
> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> :smack: I just realized Cash recorded this late in life. I thought it was a cover he did the the late 1960âs (when it was so popular). That explains his raspy deep voice. He was an entirely different artist on those last albums. Much darker and more contemplative.
Heh. He recorded it a few years before he died. You can hear it in each syllable. Itâs awesome.
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### Author:  [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2015, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/14 "2015-03-14T03:25:29Z")
Other.
**Me First and the Gimee Gimees**
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2015, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/15 "2015-03-14T11:24:14Z")
Well, I \*should have \*worded the poll differently. LOL I should have said, what is your favorite version other than Roberta Flack. A lot of very talented artists have recorded this song.
Peter Paul & Mary recorded the song and had it on the radio first. It was written specifically for Pete Seegerâs sister Peggy. Sheâs a respected folk singer in her own right.
Flack did a heavily orchestrated version and thatâs the one people remember. Iâm a little surprised people here are old enough to know and love a song recorded in 1972. (1962 for PPMâs version)
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### Author:  [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2015, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/16 "2015-03-14T12:50:35Z")
I find the Flack version just drags on endlessly.
Anyway, I voted for ânone of the aboveâ because the best version is the one by the person for whom it was written singing to her partner - who wrote it.
The very last line of this song in this version is especially poignant
[ ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg6hLunBOsw)
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2015, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/17 "2015-03-14T13:46:14Z")
[quote=âcasdave, post:16, topic:714941â]
I find the Flack version just drags on endlessly.
Anyway, I voted for ânone of the aboveâ because the best version is the one by the person for whom it was written singing to her partner - who wrote it.
The very last line of this song in this version is especially poignant
[/QUOTE]
Thatâs why I love Gordon Lightfootâs version. đ Heâs the only one that sings the song up tempo. I admit to being biased. Gordon Lightfootâs music is awesome imho.
I get irritated when people sing First Time really slow. Its like they think sentimental has to be slow and drawn out.
R Flackâs version is reasonably paced. There are other singers that just drag it out.
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### Author:  [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)
#### Post date: [March 15, 2015, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/18 "2015-03-15T14:26:56Z")
Nice to be reminded of this beautiful song. I loved the RF version you linked to, and surprised myself by liking both the Celine Dion version (I generally hate her) and the George Michael version (I usually like him, but didnât see this spare, emotional version coming).
I wanted to love the Peggy Seeger versionâhonestly, I triedâbut hated it. Not fond of that style of singing.
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### Author:  [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)
#### Post date: [March 15, 2015, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/19 "2015-03-15T14:54:04Z")
Christy Moore.
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### Author:  [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)
#### Post date: [March 15, 2015, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-version-of-the-first-time-ever-i-saw-your-face/714941/20 "2015-03-15T15:26:33Z")
Gordon Lightfoot for me. The other versions are all the dirge-like style that McColl famously hated, from PP&M onwards.
I do prefer the Lightfoot version to the Peggy Seeger version even though itâs âherâ song.
And the Johnny Cash version is, like his _Hurt_\*, just terrible.
- Yes, I know what Reznor thinks and I donât care
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