Stayed in bed all mornin' just to pass the time
There's somethin' wrong here, there can be no denyin'
One of us is changin', or maybe we've just stopped tryin'

And it's too late, baby, now it's too late
Though we really did try to make it
Somethin' inside has died
And I can't hide and I just can't fake it
Oh, no, no, no, no, no
(No, no, no, no)

It used to be so easy, livin' here with you
You were light and breezy, and I knew just what to do
Now you look so unhappy and I feel like a fool

And it's too late, baby, now it's too late
Though we really did try to make it
Somethin' inside has died
And I can't hide and I just can't fake it
Oh, no, no

There'll be good times again for me and you
But we just can't stay together, don't you feel it, too?
Still I'm glad for what we had and how I once loved you

But it's too late, baby, now it's too late
Though we really did try to make it
Somethin' inside has died
And I can't hide and I just can't fake it
Oh, no, no, no, no, no

It's too late, baby
It's too late now, darling
It's too late


Lyrics submitted by cailin

It's Too Late Lyrics as written by Toni Stern Carole King

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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It's Too Late song meanings
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13 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    I love Carole King. She was a staple of youth for many of us. This song is so simple yet poignant. "It's too late." Thank God we get to keep all the good memories, even though they were too few.

    BringOntheMusic2012on February 09, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    To me,this is a song about a couple who has been together so long that they grew apart from each other. That it's probably hurting the both of them but there's nothing they can do to fix the relationship because it's too late. It's over.

    babydaul16on May 13, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    One of the very best singer-song writers of all time. Truely brilliant

    lonelyoneon September 28, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Great song.

    OpinionHeadon June 22, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I became so obsessed with this song when my boyfriend and I broke up. It was such a perfect song about our relationship. We were so happy, but we drifted apart, and by the time we went to fix it, it was just too late. And we were both appreciative of the time we had together, but it was just over. Sad but also very matter-of-fact and makes it seem ok.

    ewings73on August 20, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    First time I heard this song was in the movie "Fandango" (with Kevin Kostner).

    Envy337on October 06, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Brilliant. Carole King had such an amazing voice. Her songwriting was truly remarkable as well. I love how at the end she states how there will be more good times for the both of them, but not together. I think it's such an amazing line as well that she is grateful for what they once had and how she once love him. Awesome words

    convinceon February 04, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is one of the best break-up songs ever written, I think. It perfectly describes my own. It was just over, and it was too late to change anything and there was nothing either of us could do. I love Carole King. Tapestry is one of my favourite albums.

    SNEEZEon October 19, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Is there a particular reason this is currently showing the lyrics to I Feel The Earth Move?

    stygimolochon February 12, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this is the song that describes what i went through with my breakup. I so wanted to stay together but i knew it was over, not in my heart but in life. Keep wondering why and how it all happened and how could i fix it. but could never see how and regrets forever. I think as long she's happy i should be happy but not together. I am grateful to her and will always love her.

    stonesforeveron April 23, 2012   Link

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