Preston first came to widespread attention of a U.S. mainstream audience as the organist (and sometimes vocalist) in the house band on the television show 'Shindig,' popular during 1964-66. On tour backing stars Little Richard and Sam Cooke, he met the Beatles (early in their career) in Hamburg, Germany in 1962. He was later invited by George Harrison to join The Beatles in the studio for the filming/recording of 'Let It Be' (1970). Preston's most memorable performance with the Beatles is on the track "Get Back".
The apparent reason for the collaboration was that the project was being done live— without overdubs— and the Beatles wanted a second keyboardist. Preston's soulful style was to compliment the rhythm and blues approach the Beatles had for this album. His was a genre they'd grown up listening to and were reaching back to as well as paying tribute to.
Another apparent reason for Preston's involvement was to buffer the growing tensions between the members of the band (that had started around the time of filming). Everyone set aside their differences to make Preston feel welcome at the sessions. Members of the band have later commented on their joy with working with Preston, whom they respected as a talented musician.
While Preston was never considered for permanent membership in the Beatles (despite stories to the contrary), he did continue working with them through to the end of the 60s: releasing two solo albums on Apple Records (the Beatles' label), collaborating with George Harrison on 'All Things Must Pass', and joining in on the Concert for Bangladesh— one of the first significant benefit concerts of its kind (at Madison Square Garden in 1972). Preston also later made an appearance in the infamous Beatles tribute film 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' (1978), as the title character— Sgt. Pepper. He's sometimes been referred to as a 'Fifth Beatle'.
In addition to work with said group, Preston also played and toured with The Rolling Stones, playing on significant albums such as 'Sticky Fingers' and 'Exile on Main St.' In the 70s, Preston also worked with Bob Dylan, playing as an accompanist on ' Blood on the Tracks', and Aretha Franklin, on her record 'Young, Gifted and Black'. As the years went on, Preston collaborated with numerous other artists including Barbra Streisand and Miles Davis, also notable touring with Sly and the Family Stone for a time. He also played organ with the Ray Charles big band on tour in the late 60s.
In terms of his solo career, Preston's hit tracks "Will It Go 'Round in Circles" and "Nothing From Nothing" both reached all the way to number one in the U.S. and still remain staples of oldies stations. He won a Grammy Award for best pop instrumental performance for "Outa Space" in 1971, and he received an invitation to the White House no less in 1974. Though perhaps overshadowed by his collaborative work, he devolved a strong and devoted fan-base as album after album made it into the Billboard top 200 album chart.
Preston was also the music director and band leader for the Garry Shandling show in the 80s, returning to the TV work that had given him his start. Yet, in the 80s and 90s, Preston sadly suffered substance abuse and financial issues. He spent three years in prison in 1997 for a drugs possession charge handed out earlier that year (cocaine possession and assault).
His last recordings were on the Red Hot Chili Peppers' album 'Stadium Arcadium' and with Neil Diamond for his "12 songs" record, both produced by Rick Rubin.
A U.S. musical legend, Preston passed away at the age of 59 in a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona, as a result of "malignant hypertension that resulted in kidney failure and other complications".
This Is It
Billy Preston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is it
What we've been praying
And hoping for, y'all
This is it
This is it
This is it
(This is it)
Always knew
The dream would come true
'Cause I've been trying
For such a long time
I almost gave up
I almost lost my mind
But this is it
(This is it)
This is it
(This is it)
This is it, yeah
(This is it)
Something way down in the soul
Keeps on telling me that
This is it
So glad that this is it
This is it
(This is it)
Time for God's love
To take control
But who would have thought that
I'd live to see
All this that's happening
Right in front of me
Lets me know that this is it
(Yeah, this is it)
This is it
(This is it)
This is it
(This is it)
What we've been praying
And hoping so long for
(This is it)
This is it, yeah
(This is it)
So glad that this is it
Always knew
The dream would come true
'Cause I've been trying
For such a long time
I almost gave up
I almost lost my mind
But this is it
(Yeah, this is it)
This is it
(This is it)
This is it
(This is it)
Always knew
The dream would come true
This is it
This is it, yeah
(This is it)
The song "This is it" by Billy Preston is an upbeat and joyful celebration of a long-awaited dream finally coming to fruition. The lyrics repeatedly emphasize the idea that "this is it" - the moment they were waiting for, hoping and praying for. The singer's experience of almost giving up and losing his mind highlights the struggle that often accompanies the pursuit of a long-held desire. However, the repeated affirmation of "this is it" suggests that the struggle was worth it because the dream has finally become a reality.
The song carries a tone of triumphant excitement and gratitude, as the singer acknowledges a higher power (God's love) taking control of the situation. The phrase "something way down in the soul keeps on telling me that this is it" suggests an intuitive inner feeling that the moment has arrived. The lyrics also express surprise at the realization that the dream has come true, with the lines "who would have thought that I'd live to see all this that's happening right in front of me." The repetition of the phrase "this is it" in the chorus enhances the celebratory and exuberant vibe of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
This is it
The moment we have been eagerly waiting and praying for has finally arrived.
This is it
Everything we hoped and wished for has become a reality.
What we've been praying
And hoping for, y'all
We have been yearning and expecting this moment for a long time.
Always knew
The dream would come true
Despite setbacks and challenges, I never lost faith that my vision would become a reality.
'Cause I've been trying
For such a long time
I almost gave up
I almost lost my mind
Although the journey was difficult, I persisted and didn't let discouragement get the best of me.
Something way down in the soul
Keeps on telling me that
This is it
Deep inside, I feel that this moment is significant and life-changing.
So glad that this is it
This is it
Time for God's love
To take control
I am filled with joy that this moment has arrived and I give credit to a higher power for making it happen.
But who would have thought that
I'd live to see
All this that's happening
Right in front of me
I am amazed at the realization of my dreams and the miraculous turn of events that have led to this moment.
What we've been praying
And hoping so long for
The fulfillment of our prayers and desires that we have waited a very long time for.
Always knew
The dream would come true
Throughout the long and arduous journey, I never lost hope that I would achieve my aspirations.
This is it
The moment we've been waiting for has finally arrived, and it's a cause for celebration.
This is it
The realization of our dreams and goals, and the beginning of a new chapter in our lives.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILLY PRESTON, DORIS TROY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@halfaday1
Nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'
You gotta have somethin' if you wanna be with me
Nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'
You gotta have somethin' if you wanna be with me
I'm not tryna be your hero
'Cause that zero is too cold for me, brrr
I'm not tryin' to be your highness
'Cause that minus is too low to see, yeah
Nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'
And I'm not stuffin', believe you me
Don't you remember I told ya
I'm a soldier in the war on poverty, yeah, yes, I am
Nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'
You gotta have somethin' if you wanna be with me, oh baby
Nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'
You gotta have somethin' if you wanna be with me
That's right, ha yeah
Gotta have somethin' if you wanna be with me
You gotta bring me somethin', girl, if you wanna be with me
@phx4closureman
1974-2024 WHO'S STILL LISTENING???
@Vendzor
My man! You know I am 🫡
@JohaDahlgaard
Billy Preston is literally the personification of joy.
@michavandam
In his performances, yes.
@normbale2757
why would hip hop and rap be listened to?
@danielflanard8274
@@normbale2757
Because no-one is in a jovial mood at all times.
@residual_soap
The minor he assaulted would disagree
@michavandam
@@danielflanard8274 In that case, listen to Soundgarden.
@edmondruiz2171
Congratulations Billy Preston for being inducted into the class of 2021 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
@reginaldmcconnell4469
Finally right on Billy. RIP