The First Thing

Choreographed by: Debbie McLaughlin, UK (May 10)
Music: The First Thing by Esmee Denters (CD: Outta Here)
Descriptions: 72 count - 4 wall - Intermediate level line dance
 
Count In: On lyrics – 12 counts from start of track. Start facing 3 o'clock wall – The first step will bring you to face 12 o'clock. 
Step ¼ Sweep, Cross Side Behind 
1-3 Step forward on L, sweep R round making ¼ turn L, hold count 3 (12 o'clock) 
4-6 Cross R over L, Step L to L, Cross R behind L, 
 
Lunge, 2, 3, Back, ½ Turn, ¼ Turn 
1-3 Making ¼ turn L, lunge forward onto L, hold counts 2-3 (9 o'clock) 
4-6 Recover back onto R, making ½ turn L step forward on L, making ¼ turn L step R to R (12 o'clock) 
 
Cross, Point, Hold, Turn, Point, Hold 
1-3 Cross L over R, Touch R to R side, Hold 
4-6 Make a full turn over R shoulder stepping R in place, Touch L to L side (this is basically a full monterey turn), Hold count 3 (12 o'clock) 
 
Cross, Side, Back, Back, Side, Cross 
1-3 Cross L over R, Step R to R side, making 1/8 turn L step back on L (facing 10 o'clock) 
4-6 Still facing 10 o'clock step back on R, straightening up to 9 o'clock wall step L to L, Step forward R towards L diagonal (7 o'clock) 
 
Cross, Side, Back, Back, Side, Cross 
1-3 Making 1/8 turn L (to face 6 o clock) cross L over R, Step R to R side, making 1/8 turn L step back on L (facing 4 o'clock) 
4-6 Still facing 4 o clock step back on R, straightening up to 3 o clock wall step L to L, Cross R over L 
 
Side, 2, 3, Side, 2, 3 
1-3 Step big step L to L, Drag R to L, Touch R beside L (Optional – Sway body to L) 
4-6 Step big step R to R, Drag L to R, Touch L beside R (Optional – Sway body to R) 
 
Behind, Side, Cross, Rock, Recover, Cross 
1-3 Step L behind R, Step R to R side, Cross L over R 
4-6 Rock R out to R side, Recover back onto L, Cross R over L 
 
¼ Turn, ½ Turn, Step, Rock, Recover, Touch 
1-3 Making ¼ turn R step back on L, Making ½ turn R step forward on R, Step forward on L 
4-6 Rock forward onto R, Recover back onto L, Touch R next to L (12 o'clock) 
***This is where your first TAG will be*** 
 
Step ¼ Sweep, Cross, ¼ Turn, ¼ Turn 
1-3 Step forward on R, Make ¼ turn R sweeping L around over 2 counts (3 o'clock) 
4-6 Cross L over R, make ¼ turn L stepping back on R, Make ¼ turn L stepping L to L side 
 
Cross, Unwind, Prep, Unwind & Sweep 
1-3 Cross R over L and unwind a full turn L over 3 counts (you should end up with L leg crossed over R, weight on L - you need to prep your body to reverse this turn on the next step) 
4-6 Unwind a full turn R over 3 counts, finish with weight on L sweeping R around from front to back (facing 9 o'clock) 
 
Behind, Rock, Recover, Behind ¼ Turn, ¼ Turn 
1-3 Cross R behind L, Rock L out to L side, Recover back onto R 
4-6 Cross L behind R, make ¼ turn R stepping forward R, make ¼ turn R stepping L to L side (facing 3 o'clock) 
 
Behind, Hitch, Behind, ¼ Rock, Recover, Ball 
1-3 Cross R behind L, Hitch L knee up, Step L behind R 
4-6 Make ¼ turn R rocking forward onto R, Recover back onto L, Step back slightly on ball of R - Preparing to step forward L to start the dance again 
You will end facing 6 o'clock, ready to step sweep ¼ turn L to face 3 o'clock on first three counts of dance 
 
TAG 1: DURING Wall 2 - After 48 counts, do the below tag and then restart the dance (you will start tag facing 3 o'clock, and end facing 9 o'clock ready to step ¼ sweep to face 6 o clock on first three counts of dance) 
Step ¼ Sweep, Back, ¼ Turn, ½ Turn 
1-3 Step forward on R, Make ¼ turn R sweeping L around over 2 counts 
4-6 Cross L over R, Make ¼ turn L stepping back on R, Make ½ turn L spinning on R foot (L leg should end slightly crossed over R ready to start dance again) 
 
TAG 2: After finishing the 4th Wall – facing 3 o'clock 
Walk L, 2, 3, Walk R, 2, 3 
1-3 Walk forward L, Drag R to L for 2 counts 
4-6 Walk forward R, Drag L to R for 2 counts 
debmcwotzit@gmail.com