About the song
Scotty McCreery’s “This Is It” is a rare kind of love song—one that feels deeply personal yet universally resonant. Released in 2018 as the second single from his album Seasons Change, this heartfelt country ballad serves as both a tender reflection on his own engagement and an ode to the kind of love that transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary. With McCreery’s rich baritone anchoring the song in sincerity, “This Is It” stands as one of his most emotionally direct and narratively vivid recordings to date.
At its core, “This Is It” is a love letter set to music. Co-written by McCreery alongside Frank Rogers and Aaron Eshuis, the song was initially intended as a surprise for McCreery’s then-fiancée (now wife), Gabi Dugal. Instead of a broad-strokes romantic anthem, this song takes a more intimate approach, walking the listener through the exact moment of McCreery’s marriage proposal, from the nervous excitement to the sheer euphoria of hearing the long-awaited “yes.” The lyrics are filled with the kind of detail that makes them feel lived-in rather than simply imagined—the winding hike up a mountain, the sweeping view at the top, the weight of the moment hanging between two people in love. McCreery doesn’t just tell us about a proposal; he invites us to experience it with him.
Musically, the song leans into the best elements of modern country while still holding onto the genre’s traditional warmth. The arrangement is lush but never overpowering, allowing McCreery’s voice to remain the focal point. The melody is gentle, unfolding with a natural ease that mirrors the storyline. The instrumentation—anchored by acoustic guitars and subtle swells of pedal steel—creates a sense of quiet anticipation, building just enough tension to mirror the song’s narrative arc. By the time the chorus arrives, there’s a satisfying release, both musically and emotionally, as McCreery sings with conviction:
“This is it, this is now / This is what I’ve been talking about.”
It’s the kind of line that, on its own, might seem simple. But in the context of the song, it carries the full weight of a life-changing moment, the realization that everything up until now has led to this.
One of the song’s greatest strengths is its authenticity. Many country love songs rely on sweeping metaphors or nostalgic imagery, but “This Is It” is refreshingly grounded. There’s no grand poetry here, no abstract symbolism—just a man telling the story of one of the most important days of his life. And yet, that straightforwardness is exactly what makes the song so affecting. Love, after all, is often found in the small moments: the nervous glances, the deep breaths before the question, the tearful smiles in response.
In many ways, “This Is It” represents McCreery at his best—deeply personal yet broadly relatable, emotionally sincere without being saccharine. It’s a song that resonates not just with newly engaged couples but with anyone who has ever experienced a love so strong that words alone could never fully capture it. And in that way, “This Is It” isn’t just about one proposal—it’s about all of them. It’s about love in its most vulnerable, hopeful, and breathtaking form.
Video
Lyrics
Way up in the mountains, four thousand feet high
There’s a trail through the trees to a cliff where Carolina meets the sky
Oh, and there’s a view I just can’t describe
No, we’re not there yet, just a few more steps, baby, wait
Okay, you can open your eyes
This is it, this is now
This is what I’ve been talkin’ ’bout
Lookin’ out, can’t you see forever?
Take my hand, just take it in
This is a moment we won’t forget
On top of the world, here, together
If there ever was a time for a perfect kiss
This is it
Girl, I know that you’ve been waitin’ and talkin’ to your friends
Wonderin’ if and wonderin’ where and wonderin’ when
Well, I’ve been waitin’ too, holdin’ onto this ring
And for the right words to say, for the right time and place, for me
To get on one knee
This is it, this is now
This is what I’ve been talkin’ ’bout
Lookin’ out, can’t you see forever?
Take my hand, just take it in
This is a moment we won’t forget
On top of the world here together
If there ever was a time for a perfect kiss
Well, this is it
This is it
Now you’re walkin’ down the aisle
And I can’t help but smile
This is it, this is now
It’s what I’ve been talkin’ ’bout
Lookin’ out, I can see forever
So take my hand, just take it in (take it in)
This is a moment we won’t forget (won’t forget)
On top of the world, here, together
Surrounded by our family and our friends
If there ever was a time for a perfect kiss
This is it
Yeah, this is it
