The group was founded as The Roosters by Chattanooga, Tennessee natives Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks, and Arthur Brooks, who moved to Chicago, Illinois and added Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield to their lineup to become Jerry Butler & the Impressions. By 1962, Butler and the Brookses had departed, and after switching to ABC-Paramount Records, Mayfield, Gooden, and new Impression Fred Cash collectively became a top-selling soul act. Mayfield left the group for a solo career in 1970; Leroy Hutson, Ralph Johnson, Reggie Torian, and Nate Evans were among the replacements who joined Gooden and Cash before the group's demise in 1983.
Inductees into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, The Impressions are best known for their 1960s string of hits, many of which were heavily influenced by gospel music and served as inspirational anthems for the Civil Rights Movement.
Personnel:
Jerry Butler (1958 - 1960)
Curtis Mayfield (1958 - 1970)
Sam Gooden (1958 - 1983)
Arthur Brooks (1958 - 1962)
Richard Brooks (1958 - 1962)
Fred Cash (1960 - 1983)
Leroy Hutson (1970 - 1973)
Ralph Johnson (1973 - 1976)
Nate Evans (1976 - 1979)
Reggie Torian (1973 - 1983)
Discography
Albums
1963: The Impressions
1964: Keep on Pushing
1964: The Never Ending Impressions
1965: One by One
1965: People Get Ready
1966: Ridin' High
1967: The Fabulous Impressions
1968: We're a Winner
1968: This Is My Country
1969: The Young Mods' Forgotten Story
1969: The Versatile Impressions
1969: Amen
1970: Check out Your Mind!
1972: Times Have Changed
1973: Preacher Man
1974: Finally Got Myself Together
1974: Three the Hard Way
1975: First Impressions
1975: Sooner or Later
1976: It's About Time
1976: Originals
1976: Loving Power
1979: Come to My Party
1981: Fan the Fire
This Must End
The Impressions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dear this must end
We used to laugh and have fun,
All our days were over, before they'd begun
But now things just don't make sense anymore
Our arguments are worse than ever before
And I'm tired of our confusion and I'm sure we both know
(We both know)
Dear this must end
Things must become better somehow (better somehow)
It would such a shame and a sin
To break up right now (break up right now)
Remember dear, our first date
How all would admire, and approve our perfect mate
How wonderful our love we used to share
But now we're in darkness and it just isn't fair
The thought of losing you, have me so afraid
But I plan to fight till out of sight the problems we've made
(We both made)
Dear this must end
Things must become better somehow (better somehow)
It would such a shame and a sin
To break up right now (break up right now)
This must end (ooh wooh ooh ooh)
This must end (ooh wooh ooh)
The lyrics to The Impressions' song "This Must End" are about a troubled relationship that has reached a breaking point. The singer reminisces about the earlier days of the relationship, when love was easy and carefree. But now, arguments and confusion have taken over, and they both know that things can't go on like this. The singer is afraid of losing the person they love but is determined to fight for the relationship.
The chorus, "Dear this must end, things must become better somehow, it would be such a shame and a sin to break up right now," highlights the conflict between the desire to salvage the relationship and the recognition that things cannot continue as they are. The singer is hoping that they can find a way to make things better and stay together, but also acknowledges that breaking up might be the only option.
The overall message of the song is one of hope and determination. Despite the difficulties in the relationship, the singer is willing to fight for what they love and do whatever it takes to make things better.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear this must end
I must express that our relationship needs to come to an end.
Dear this must end
I must express that our relationship needs to come to an end. (repeated)
We used to laugh and have fun,
In the past, we enjoyed each other's company and found joy together.
All our days were over, before they'd begun
Our future looks bleak and unfulfilling.
But now things just don't make sense anymore
Our relationship has become confusing and unclear.
Our arguments are worse than ever before
Our fights are becoming more intense and damaging.
There's no doubt in my mind, how I love you so
My love for you is unwavering and undeniable.
And I'm tired of our confusion and I'm sure we both know
Our current state is exhausting and unsustainable, and we both recognize this.
(We both know)
We are both aware of the problem at hand.
Things must become better somehow (better somehow)
Our situation needs to improve in some way for us to continue as a couple.
It would such a shame and a sin
It would be a great tragedy and a moral wrong
To break up right now (break up right now)
To end our relationship immediately would be an unfortunate decision.
Remember dear, our first date
Let's reminisce about the lovely time we spent on our initial outing.
How all would admire, and approve our perfect mate
Everyone around us thought we were a match made in heaven.
How wonderful our love we used to share
Our love was once beautiful and fulfilling.
But now we're in darkness and it just isn't fair
We are currently in a bleak and unfair situation.
The thought of losing you, have me so afraid
The notion of losing you is causing me great fear and anxiety.
But I plan to fight till out of sight the problems we've made
I am willing to put forth effort to solve the issues we have created until they are gone completely.
(We both made)
Both of us contributed to our problems.
This must end (ooh wooh ooh ooh)
This situation must come to a close.
This must end (ooh wooh ooh)
This situation must come to a close. (repeated)
Contributed by Max T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Keith Fuqua
on People Get Ready
Amen brothers. Get ready people