Story Songs: It's Too Late

Singer-songwriter Carole King recorded one of the most powerful break-up and heartbreak songs ever with "It's Too Late," the No. 1 single off her mega-selling Tapestry album in 1971.

The song, with lyrics by Toni Stern and music by King, tells of a couple drifting apart. The narrator tries to explain why they are falling out of love:

"Stayed in bed all morning just to pass the time
There's something wrong here, there can be no denying
One of us is changing
Or maybe we just stopped trying"

As in many relationships, it's the intangibles that a partner senses that provide the initial clues:

"It used to be so easy living 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"

While the narrator believes there will be good times in the future, it won't be with each other. And the song closes with the repeat of the chorus:

"But it's too late, baby, now it's too late
Though we really did try to make it
Something inside has died and I can't hide
And I just can't fake it"

I like the narrator's powerful voice in realizing the relationship is over while the significant other may be surprised by the confession. And King's vocal rings so true in the song's delivery.

The tune was No. 1 on the Billboard chart for five weeks while Tapestry earned four Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year for "It's Too Late." Read more about this fantastic album here.

"It's Too Late" lyrics