This song, written by Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald, has an interesting and touching etiology. The two wrote the song after Kenny’s father had a serious heart problem and didn’t’ know what to do about it. So they came up with this song about a man who is suffering terrible pain, looks to find his miracle and needs to “stand up and fight.”
After Loggins won a Grammy for the song in 1980 (Best Male Pop Vocal) he played it for his father, who lived 4 more years. Says Kenny Loggins of this song …
“The best musical statements are usually the ones that aren’t calculated and the ones that come out in the largest chunks. Michael McDonald and I must have written ‘This Is It’ four times. The first three times it was a love song, ‘Baby I this, baby I that…,’ and we both said, ‘Eh! This is boring. This song is not working as a love song.’
Then I had a fight with my dad when he was going into the hospital because he gave me the feeling that he was ready to check out. He’d given up, he wasn’t thinking in terms of the future, and I was so pissed at him. It was real emotional. That afternoon, I was meeting with Michael to work on new tunes and I walked in and said, ‘Man, I got it. It’s “This Is It”.’ And Michael said, ‘This is it?’ I said, ‘Trust me. This is it.’ But that one took a while.
And then one review said it was your average boy-girl song and the writer didn’t understand why people were making such a big deal out of it. The fact of the matter was, he didn’t understand the song and it didn’t move him because he wasn’t in a situation to be moved. But immediately after that, I got a letter from a girl who had just recently gotten out of the hospital from a life-and-death situation and that was her anthem. She was holding onto it. That means so much more to me. She hadn’t read the press about my father or anything. All she knew was that the song was on the nose for her, exactly what Michael and I intended. That makes you feel like you’re doing something important.”
This Is It
Kenny Loggins
There’ve been times in my life
I’ve been wonderin’ why
Still, somehow I believed we’d always survive
Now, I’m not so sure
You’re waiting here, one good reason to try
But, what more can I say? what’s left to provide?
Are you gonna wait for a sign, your miracle?
Stand up and fight
Make no mistake where you are
(This is it)
You back’s to the corner
(This is it)
Don’t be a fool anymore
(This is it)
The waiting is over, no where to run
No where to hide
No time for wonderin’ why
It’s here, the moment is now, about to decide
Let ’em believe
Leave ’em behind
But keep me near in your heart
Know whatever you do, I’m here by your side
For once in your life, here’s your miracle
Stand up and fight
Make no mistake where you are.
(This is it)
You’re goin’ no further
(This is it)
Until it’s over and done.
(No one can tell what the future holds)
Oh oh oh oh.
(Who makes the choice of how it goes?)
It’s not up to me this time.
(You know)
Comes a day in every life
(This is it)
Make no mistake where you are
(This is it)
You’re goin’ no further
(This is it)
Until it’s over and done
(This is it)
One way or another
(This is it)
(No one can tell what the future holds)
(This is it)
Your back’s to the corner
(This is it)
(You make the choice of how it goes)
(This is it)
(No one can tell what the future holds)
(This is it)
One way or another
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Loggins Kenneth Clark / Mc Donald Michael H
This Is It lyrics © Milk Money Music, Tauripin Tunes
My fave Loggins song. Didn’t know the background, so thanks for educating me. I never thought of it as a boy/girl song, or love song; this is a declaration: this is it, whatever it may be. Good song for this election year: this is it. Vote.
And wear your damn mask. Cheers
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I’m so glad you liked it! I thought the background made it even more special. And yes, if people never do another noble thing in their lives, please … they must VOTE!
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Great song, Jill. Good to read the story of Kenny’s dad too.
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Thanks, John. Yes, that gave it an additional layer of meaning to me.
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😊
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Nice, but not where I am today. Will try again tomorrow.
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So where were you today, my friend? Sorry I missed the mark, I’ll try again tomorrow! LuL
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You did not miss the mark, I was the one somewhere else. What I just said on the Luther Vandross post, read it again for this post. Your life is about you. My life is about me. On this blog, you rule, I’m the one who gets to drool…..
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This set of lyrics leaves out an important line sung by Michael McDonald: “You think that maybe it’s over/Only if you want it to be.” It’s a terrific song. Kenny and Michael are good collaborators.
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You are so right … and that’s my favourite line! I typically don’t check the lyrics for accuracy … perhaps I should start! Thanks for pointing that out, Larry!
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You’re quite welcome.
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Yes, love this one, too!!!!! 💙
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I’m so glad!!! 💕
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This is one of my top favorites songs and duets. Thank you so much for posting this. Good reminder!
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I love Kenny Loggins. I’m not sure which of his songs I like the most (this is the first time fo r this one for me), but it used to be “Danny’s Song”! Now I’ll just have to play this one a few million times to make sure it hasn’t taken first place. 😇💖🌹❤
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I love “Danny’s Song”, as well!!! Glad you enjoyed this one … let me know what the verdict is on which comes in first! Big Hugs, dear Angie! 💕
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