"It's Too Late" is a song from 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 by Ode Records and reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts. Sales were later platinum-certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Billboard ranked "It's Too Late" and its fellow A-side, "I Feel the Earth Move", as the No. 3 record for 1971.

Music and lyrics The lyrics describe the blameless end of a loving relationship. Music critic Dave Marsh saw implicit feminism because the woman leaves the man. Marsh also remarked on the maturity of the theme. 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." Marsh described the melody as Tin Pan Alley and the arrangement as a cross between light jazz and "L.A. studio craftsmanship." Rolling Stone remarked that Carole King's "warm, earnest singing" on the song brought out the song's sadness. 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. Kortchmar and Amy each have an instrumental solo. Cash Box described the song as "a sensitive ballad with a strong rock under-beat." Record World said that it is "quality contemporary pop."

Lyricist Toni Stern told author Sheila Weller that she wrote the lyrics in a single day, after her relationship with James Taylor ended. (This runs counter to multiple obituaries, including one by her husband of many years until her death, Jerry Rounds.) The recording won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year at the 14th Annual Grammy Awards 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.

Personnel Carole King – piano, vocals Curtis Amy – soprano saxophone Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar – congas, electric guitar Charles "Charlie" Larkey – bass guitar Joel O'Brien – drums Ralph Schuckett – electric piano

Soundtracks "It's Too Late" has been featured in Hollywood films, including Fandango (1985), The Lake House (2006), and Invincible (2006). It was also featured in "Jagged Little Tapestry", a sixth season episode of the television series Glee in 2015, where it was performed by Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer) and Blaine Anderson (Darren Criss).

Awards and recognition King's version of "It's Too Late" peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts. It was on the Hot 100 as a double A-side with "I Feel the Earth Move". King's version of "It's Too Late" was gold-certified by the RIAA. "It's Too Late" won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1972. "It's Too Late" is ranked No. 469 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. It was dropped in the 2010 version but updated to No. 310 in the 2021 version. Together with its other A-side, it was named by the RIAA as No. 213 of 365 Songs of the Century.

Charts

Weekly charts Carole King Chart (1971) PeakpositionAustralia 6Canada Top Singles (RPM) 1Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM) 2Ireland 8New Zealand (Listener) 6UK 6US Billboard Hot 100 1US Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks (Billboard) 1US Cash Box Top 100 1 Bill Deal & the Rhondels Chart (1972) PeakpositionUS Bubbling Under the Hot 100 (Billboard)Joel Whitburn's Bubbling Under the Billboard Hot 100 1959-2004 108

Year-end charts Chart (1971) RankAustralia 33Canada Top Singles (RPM) 5US Billboard Hot 100 3US Cash Box Top 100 2

All-time charts Chart (1958-2018) PositionUS Billboard Hot 100 250

Certifications

Quartz version

British dance music production duo Quartz (Ronnie Herel and Dave Rawlings) released their version of "It's Too Late" in 1991 on their album Perfect Timing, introducing British singer-songwriter Dina Carroll. The single, released by Mercury Records, earned Carroll her first hit, reaching number eight on the UK Singles Chart and on the Music Week Dance Singles chart. It was also a top-5 hit in Israel and Luxembourg and 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" in his weekly Dance column. 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." Another NME editor, Ian McCann, complimented it as "a genuine hit".

Track listing 7", UK (1991) A. "It's Too Late" B. "Obsession"

12", UK (1991) 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

Cassette, UK (1991) A1. "It's Too Late" A2. "Obsession" B1. "It's Too Late" B2. "Obsession"

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1991)PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100) 17Israel (Israeli Singles Chart)Israeli Singles Chart. 14 April 1991. 5Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)Radio Luxembourg Singles. 31 March 1991. 2UK Singles (OCC) 8UK Airplay (Music Week) 4UK Dance (Music Week) 8UK Club Chart (Record Mirror) 6

Year-end charts Chart (1991)PositionUK Singles (OCC) 57UK Club Chart (Record Mirror) 53

Gloria Estefan version

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). It was produced by Emilio Estefan, Jr., Jorge Casas and Clay Ostwald, and released in May 1995 by Epic Records.

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. Steve Baltin from Cash Box magazine felt 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." 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."Campbell, Chuck (1994-10-28). "Bedtime' With Madonna Is A Bit Drowsy". Knoxville News Sentinel. Phil Shanklin of ReviewsRevues remarked that King's voice does possess the same warmth as Estefan's. Tony Cross from Smash Hits gave Estefan's version two out of five, writing that "Glo's done a fine job tweeking it into shape by funking it up a bit."

Official versions Album version – 3:57 Piano mix – 3:38 Radio mix – 3:19

Release history Region Date US May 9, 1995 Europe June 12, 1995

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1995)PeakpositionAustralia (ARIA) 124UK Airplay (Music Week) 45US Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks (Billboard) 31US AC Top 30 (R&R) 13

Year-end charts Chart (1995)PositionUS AC Top 30 (R&R) 46

Formats and track listings

Other notable versions The song has been covered by 1972: The Isley Brothers on their album Brother, Brother, Brother; reaching  39 on the R&B chart. 1972: The Stylistics on their album Round 2. 1973: Mike James Kirkland on the album Doin' it Right. 1981: John Paul Young covered the song on the album The Singer. 1989: David Lasley on his album Soldiers on the Moon.

2022: Lucy Dacus along with a cover of another Tapestry track "Home Again".

References

External links