"It's Too Late" is a song from American singer-songwriter Carole King's second studio album, Tapestry (1971). Toni Stern wrote the lyrics and King wrote the music. It was released as a single in April 1971 and reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts. Sales were later platinum-certified by the RIAA.[4] Billboard ranked "It's Too Late" and its fellow A-side, "I Feel the Earth Move", as the No. 3 record for 1971.
Quick Facts Single by Carole King, from the album Tapestry ...
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The lyrics describe the blameless end of a loving relationship.[5] Music critic Dave Marsh saw implicit feminism because the woman left the man.[6] Marsh also remarked on the maturity of the theme.[6] Music critic Robert Christgau wrote that "if there's a truer song about breaking up than 'It's Too Late,' the world (or at least AM radio) isn't ready for it."[7] Marsh described the melody as Tin Pan Alley and the arrangement as a cross between light jazz and "L.A. studio craftsmanship."[6] Rolling Stone remarked that King's "warm, earnest singing" on the song brought out the song's sadness.[8] According to author James Perone, the feel of the song is enhanced by the instrumental work of Danny Kortchmar on guitar, Curtis Amy on saxophone and King on piano.[5] Kortchmar and Amy each have an instrumental solo.[5] Cash Box described the song as "a sensitive ballad with a strong rock under-beat."[9] Record World said that it is "quality contemporary pop."[10]
Toni Stern told author Sheila Weller that she wrote the lyrics in a single day, after her relationship with James Taylor ended.[11][12] The recording won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1972, and the song is included in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2003 the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[13]
"It's Too Late" has been featured in Hollywood films, including Fandango (1985), The Lake House (2006), and Invincible (2006).[14][15] Also in the sixth season of the television series Glee.
More information Chart (1971), Peak position ...
Weekly charts
- Carole King
- Bill Deal & the Rhondels
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Year-end charts
Chart (1971) |
Rank |
Australia[16] |
33 |
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[23] |
5 |
US Billboard Hot 100[24] |
3 |
US Cash Box Top 100[25] |
2 |
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More information Region, Certification ...
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Quick Facts from the album Perfect Timing, Released ...
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British dance music production duo Quartz (Ronnie Herel and Dave Rawlings) released their version of "It's Too Late" in 1991, introducing British singer-songwriter Dina Carroll. The song earned Carroll her first hit, reaching number eight on the UK Singles Chart.[28] It was also a top 30 hit in Austria, peaking at number 21.
Critical reception
James Hamilton from Music Week described the cover as a "gentle Carole King revival".[29] Anthony James from NME wrote, "'It's Too Late' should see a reversal in their fortunes. Featuring the gutsy vocals of Dina Carroll it's a truly kickin' track but with a commercial edge. Carole King will turn in her rave."[30] Another editor, Ian McCann, complimented it as "a genuine hit".[31]
Track listing
- A. "It's Too Late"
- B. "Obsession"
- A. "It's Too Late" (Overnight Mix)
- B1. "It's Too Late" (Overnight Dub)
- B2. "Obsession"
- CD single, UK & Europe (1991)
- "It's Too Late" (Overnight Mix) – 9:37
- "It's Too Late" (Overnight Dub) – 6:46
- "Obsession" 3:17
- A1. "It's Too Late"
- A2. "Obsession"
- B1. "It's Too Late"
- B2. "Obsession"
Charts
More information Chart (1991), Peak position ...
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Quick Facts Single by Gloria Estefan, from the album Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me ...
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Cuban American singer and songwriter Gloria Estefan released her cover of "It's Too Late" in 1995 as the third promotional single (in the US), and fourth overall single released from her fourth studio album, Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me (1994).
Critical reception
AllMusic editor Eddie Huffman described Estefan's version as "[a] moment of genuine pathos" in his review of the Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me album.[36] Steve Baltin from Cash Box felt that the singer "does a decent job with the vocals, but this
is one of those songs that everybody feels they own. As such, it’s better off being left alone."[37] Chuck Campbell from Knoxville News Sentinel viewed it as a "faithful" remake of Carole King's 1971 hit, "though Tim Mitchell's intrusive electric-guitar solo is an unwelcome addition."[38] Phil Shanklin of ReviewsRevues remarked that King’s voice does possess the same warmth as Estefan's.[39]
Official versions
- Album version – 3:57
- Piano mix – 3:38
- Radio mix – 3:19
Release history
More information Region, Date ...
Region |
Date |
US |
May 9, 1995[40] |
Europe |
June 12, 1995 |
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Charts
More information Chart (1995), Peak position ...
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Year-end charts
Chart (1995) |
Position |
US AC Top 30 (R&R)[43] |
46 |
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More information No., Title ...
US promo CD single (ESK 77877)Title | Writer(s) |
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1. | "It's Too Late" (Radio Mix) | Carole King, Toni Stern | 3:19 |
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2. | "It's Too Late" (Album Version) | Carole King, Toni Stern | 3:57 |
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3. | "It's Too Late" (Piano Mix) | Carole King, Toni Stern | 3:58 |
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Europe CD single (EPC 662040 1)Title | Writer(s) |
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1. | "It's Too Late" (Radio Mix) | Carole King, Toni Stern | 3:19 |
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2. | "It's Too Late" (Piano Mix) | Carole King, Toni Stern | 3:58 |
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UK CD-maxi single (662044 2) [Cancelled / Unreleased]Title | Writer(s) |
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1. | "It's Too Late" (Radio Mix) | Carole King, Toni Stern | 3:19 |
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2. | "It's Too Late" (Piano Mix) | Carole King, Toni Stern | 3:58 |
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3. | "Cherchez La Femme" (Radio Club Mix) | August Darnell, Stony Browder, Jr. | 3:54 |
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4. | "Cherchez La Femme" (Album Version) | August Darnell, Stony Browder, Jr. | 4:58 |
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More information No., Title ...
UK promo CD single (XPCD 652)Title | Writer(s) |
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1. | "It's Too Late" (Radio Mix) | Carole King, Toni Stern | 3:19 |
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More information No., Title ...
Mexico promo CD single #1 (PRCD 96384)Title | Writer(s) |
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1. | "It's Too Late" (Album Version) | Carole King, Toni Stern | 3:57 |
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2. | "Cherchez La Femme" (Album Version) | August Darnell, Stony Browder, Jr. | 4:58 |
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More information No., Title ...
Mexico promo CD single #2 (PRCD 96605)Title | Writer(s) |
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1. | "It's Too Late" (Radio Mix) | Carole King, Toni Stern | 3:19 |
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More information No., Title ...
Australia CD-maxi single (662020 2)Title | Writer(s) |
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1. | "It's Too Late" (Radio Mix) | Carole King, Toni Stern | 3:19 |
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2. | "It's Too Late" (Album Version) | Carole King, Toni Stern | 3:57 |
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3. | "It's Too Late" (Piano Mix) | Carole King, Toni Stern | 3:58 |
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4. | "Cherchez La Femme" (Doom Dub) | August Darnell, Stony Browder, Jr. | 8:17 |
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5. | "Cherchez La Femme" (Piano Mix) | August Darnell, Stony Browder, Jr. | 6:41 |
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The song has been covered by
Harrison, James (2015). "Carole King - "It's Too Late". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die. New York: Universe. p. 289. "...over a gently laid-back, percussion-driven jazz samba [King] plays a string of figures...the verse-chorus segues nicely into some cool jazz-guitar grooves...
Perone, J.E. (2006). The Words and Music of Carole King. Greenwood Publishing. pp. 34–35. ISBN 9780275990275.
Steve Sullivan (2013). Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings, volume 2. Scarecrow Press. pp. 326–327. ISBN 978-0810882959.
Sheila Weller (2009). Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon - and the Journey of a Generation. Washington Square Press. pp. 325–328. ISBN 9780743491488.
Joel Whitburn's Bubbling Under the Billboard Hot 100 1959-2004
"Radio & Records" (PDF). Americanradiohistory.com. 1995-05-05. p. 30. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
"Radio & Records" (PDF). Americanradiohistory.com. 1995-07-14. p. 58. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
"Radio & Records" (PDF). Americanradiohistory.com. 1998-07-17. p. 56. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
"Radio & Records" (PDF). Americanradiohistory.com. 1995-12-22. p. 53. Retrieved 2022-03-22.