It's Too Late (Carole King song)

"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. 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 left 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 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."

Toni Stern told author Sheila Weller that she wrote the lyrics in a single day, after her relationship with James Taylor ended. 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.

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). Also in the sixth season of the television series Glee.

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.

Weekly charts

 * Carole King
 * Bill Deal & the Rhondels

Quartz version
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. 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". 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 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)
 * 1) "It's Too Late" (Overnight Mix) – 9:37
 * 2) "It's Too Late" (Overnight Dub) – 6:46
 * 3) "Obsession" 3:17


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

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).

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 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." 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." Phil Shanklin of ReviewsRevues remarked that King’s voice does possess the same warmth as Estefan's.

Official versions

 * 1) Album version – 3:57
 * 2) Piano mix – 3:38
 * 3) Radio mix – 3:19

Other notable versions
The song has been covered by
 * 1972: The Isley Brothers on their album Brother, Brother, Brother; reaching No. 39 on the R&B chart
 * 2022: Lucy Dacus
 * John Paul Young covered the song on the album, The Singer (1981).