Escovedo's family tree includes former Santana percussionist Pete Escovedo and Pete's daughter, Sheila E (also Prince's former drummer and later a pop star). He began his music career with the Nuns, a mid-'70s punk band based in San Francisco. He co-founded the pioneering cowpunk band Rank and File in 1979, which moved to Austin, Texas, in 1981 after a stint in New York City. The band released Sundown on Slash Records in 1982, but shortly after, Escovedo left to form the True Believers with brother Javier. The band recorded two albums for EMI and toured the country, often as an opening act for Los Lobos. However, EMI opted not to release the second album, which eventually led to the group's break-up. (It eventually surfaced as a bonus item when Rykodisc reissued the first set on CD in 1994.)
Escovedo released a solo album in 1992 on Watermelon Records, Gravity, uniting his wide variety of styles; the album was produced by Stephen Bruton of Bonnie Raitt's band. Escovedo also began gigging periodically with the band Buick MacKane, who fused old-school punk with 70's glam rock; after Rykodisc released Escovedo's With These Hands in 1996, they followed it up with Buick MacKane's long-awaited album. After Escovedo parted ways with Rykodisc, he signed with the Chicago-based alt-country label Bloodshot in 1998, who released the live album More Miles Than Money: Live 1994-1996 and the acclaimed studio set A Man Under The Influence.
In April of 2003, Escovedo collapsed following a show in Phoenix, AZ, and he was subsequently diagnosed with Hepatitis C. An outpouring of support from musicians led to a series of successful benefit concerts to help pay Escovedo's medical expenses and keep his music before the public, followed by a tribute album, Por Vida: A Tribute to the Songs of Alejandro Escovedo, which was released in 2004.
In June 2010, Escovedo released Street Songs of Love.
Too Little Too Late
Alejandro Escovedo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, you got to change it
You're not the only one
Who'd rather fall like you do
Yeah, you're workin' hard
Just to get back
Still you make it
Too little, too late
Too little, too late
Baby, it was fate
Too little, too late
Standin' by your window this morning
Thinkin' 'bout our love, it all went wrong
We had such a love that's lost forever
But I, I guess I wanted much too long
Too little, too late
Too little, too late
Baby, it was fate
Too little, too late
Tell me what went wrong
When you said you needed someone
Tell me what went wrong
When you said you needed someone, needed someone
[Incomprehensible] to last September
Your eyes cut a path into my heart
We both know the cards are on the table
The sacrament are took right after dawn
Too little, too late
Too little, too late
Baby, it was fate
Too little, too late
Baby, it was fate
Too little, too late
Baby, it was fate
Too little, too late
The song Too Little Too Late by Alejandro Escovedo is a powerful expression of regret and lost love. The opening lines speak to the idea that when you're feeling down, you need to change things up - you're not alone in your struggles. The lyrics speak to the idea that even when you work hard to try and reconcile with your lover, sometimes it just doesn't work out. You can break all the rules, but it still might not be enough to win them back.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the phrase "Too little, too late" several times, really drives home the theme of lost opportunities in a relationship. The line "baby, it was fate" further emphasizes the idea that maybe things just weren't meant to be. The verses themselves take on a more reflective tone, as if the singer is looking back on the relationship and trying to pinpoint exactly where things went wrong.
Ultimately, the song is a really poignant and emotional exploration of the complexities of love and loss. It deals with the feelings of regret and longing that often come after a relationship has ended. The chorus is really catchy and has an almost haunting quality to it, making it a great addition to any sad song playlist.
Line by Line Meaning
If the sun don't shine when you're feelin' down
When you are feeling down, you may want to change the environment you're in.
Oh, you got to change it
It's up to you to make the necessary changes.
You're not the only one
You're not alone in feeling down.
Who'd rather fall like you do
Many others would rather give up than persevere.
Yeah, you're workin' hard
You're making an effort to improve your situation.
Just to get back
You're working hard to get back to where you once were.
Still you make it
You're slowly making progress.
All in all you broke all the rules
Despite breaking the rules, you're trying to get back on track.
Too little, too late
Your efforts are too little, too late to save your relationship.
Baby, it was fate
It was destiny that your relationship ended this way.
Standin' by your window this morning
Reflecting on your past relationship.
Thinkin' 'bout our love, it all went wrong
You're trying to understand where things went wrong.
We had such a love that's lost forever
You're mourning the loss of a love that can never be regained.
But I, I guess I wanted much too long
You waited too long to make things right.
Tell me what went wrong
You're seeking closure by trying to understand what caused the breakup.
When you said you needed someone
When you said you needed a partner, something was lost in translation.
[Incomprehensible] to last September
Memories are painful reminders of what once was.
Your eyes cut a path into my heart
Your every glance and intimate moment still lingers in my heart.
We both know the cards are on the table
Everything is out in the open and cannot be denied.
The sacrament are took right after dawn
The sacrament (communion with a divine being) only comes after a moment of revelation.
Baby, it was fate
It was destiny that your relationship ended this way.
Too little, too late
Your efforts are too little, too late to save your relationship.
Baby, it was fate
It was destiny that your relationship ended this way.
Too little, too late
Your efforts are too little, too late to save your relationship.
Contributed by Lily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.