__NOTOC__ "First It Giveth" is a song by American rock band

Queens of the Stone Age Queens of the Stone Age (commonly abbreviated QOTSA) is an American rock band formed in 1996 in Palm Desert, California. The band was founded by vocalist and guitarist Josh Homme, who has been the only constant member throughout multiple line ...

from their album ''

Songs for the Deaf ''Songs for the Deaf'' is the third studio album by the American rock band Queens of the Stone Age, released on August 27, 2002 by Interscope Records. It features guest musicians including drummer Dave Grohl, and was the last Queens of the Ston ...

''. It was released as a single on August 18, 2003, peaking at number 33 on the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

. The song is about the role drugs play in the process of making music. When asked in an interview if it is easier to make music on drugs,

Josh Homme Joshua Michael Homme ( ; born May 17, 1973) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as the founder, primary songwriter, and only continuous member of the rock band Queens of the Stone Age, which he for ...

said "Well I think we have a song that about this subject called First they Giveth, then They Taketh away, and I think at first you can draw inspiration and then eventually, it negates any inspiration." "The Lord Gave, and the Lord Hath Taken Away" is a bible quotation found in the

Book of Job The Book of Job (; hbo, אִיּוֹב, ʾIyyōḇ), or simply Job, is a book found in the Ketuvim ("Writings") section of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), and is the first of the Poetic Books in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. Scholars ar ...

(Job 1:21). It has become altered to a popular idiom generally used out of Job's context, "The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away" (2). This in turn became, "First it giveth, then it taketh away."

Music video

The

music video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing devi ...

for "First It Giveth" shows the band playing live at the

Glastonbury Festival Glastonbury Festival (formally Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts and known colloquially as Glasto) is a five-day festival of contemporary performing arts that takes place in Pilton, Somerset, England. In addition to contempo ...

and on their tour with the

Red Hot Chili Peppers Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983, comprising vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist John Frusciante. Their music incorporates elements of alternative rock, f ...

in 2002. There are also some backstage scenes included. It is famous among fans for showing

Nick Oliveri Nick Steven Oliveri (born October 21, 1971) is an American multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter. He is perhaps best known as a former bassist of Kyuss and later Queens of the Stone Age from 1998 to 2004. Oliveri is also a solo artist and ...

playing naked on stage. It was directed by Nigel Copp.

Track listing

UK disc 1

#"First It Giveth" – 3:18 #"Wake Up Screaming" ( Subhumans cover) – 4:58 #"You Think I Ain't Worth a Dollar, But I Feel Like a Millionaire" (Troy mix) – 2:14

UK disc 2

#"First It Giveth" – 3:18 #"The Most Exalted Potentate of Love" (

The Cramps The Cramps were an American rock band formed in 1976 and active until 2006. Their lineup rotated frequently during their existence, with the husband-and-wife duo of singer Lux Interior and guitarist Poison Ivy the only ever-present members. ...

cover) – 2:46 #"Song for the Deaf" (The Blind Can Go Get Fucked remix) – 5:02 #"First It Giveth" (CD-ROM video) The B-sides, "Wake Up Screaming" and "The Most Exalted Potentate of Love", appeared subsequently on the compilation EP '' Stone Age Complications''.

Charts

References

External links

* {{authority control Queens of the Stone Age songs 2003 singles Songs about drugs Song recordings produced by Eric Valentine Songs written by Josh Homme Songs written by Nick Oliveri 2002 songs