With the fairyland bright fireworks crackling
We walked along Southend pier
I loved the smell and tastes of that seaside place
As the sounds of the fair drew near
And we ate salty chips from yesterdays paper
And the gulls screamed far above
Was the vinegar taste of the kiss he placed
My first taste of love

We fed one armed bandits pennies
And we the watched the spinning dials
We rollercoaster screamed
Above that crowded fairground mile
I could hear my helter skelter heart
Beat a crazy push and shove
Sweet as ice cream on my tongue
Was my first taste of love

Why do I come back here
To this place I don’t belong
Trying to catch the memory
Like the echo of some half forgotten song

Neither of us spoke a word
We left the crowds their shrine
The world she turned her back
As we left childhood far behind
Dizzy in a moment filled with innocence and loss
Bitter sweet in that summer heat
Was my first taste, my first taste of love