Catley has started his musical career in band Magnum (founded in 1972). Following Magnum's demise in 1995 and the short-lived Hard Rain project, Catley joined up with Ten vocalist and songwriter Gary Hughes to release the album The Tower (1997), shortly followed by the supporting live album Live At The Gods (1997). Hughes again wrote the material for 1999's Legends release, and the critically acclaimed concept album Middle Earth (2001), which was inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.
Despite rejoining Magnum following their reformation in 2002, Catley has continued his solo career with keyboardist Paul Hodson writing and producing 2003's When Empires Burn, his heaviest solo release to date. His latest solo album, Spirit Of Man (2006) saw yet another change in songwriting as Dave Thompson and Paul Uttley of Lost Weekend, and Vince O'Regan of Pulse did the honours.
As well as his career with Magnum and as a solo artist, Catley has lent his vocal talents to other projects by such artists as Clive Nolan and Oliver Wakeman, Gary Hughes, Ayreon and Tobias Sammett of Edguy (Avantasia).
Magnum's latest album, Princess Alice & The Broken Arrow was released in 2007 to excellent reviews and Catley has announced plans to record a new solo album towards the end of the year, set for release in 2008.
Too Late
Bob Catley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On star-like timpani
I feel the gloom embracing
This twilight symphony
And still the brightest comet
Pales in the light from your eyes
My love, I stand before you
I have become this creature
Maimed by a twist of fate
The opera house was burning
They thought I'd died, I survived
Darling, sleep
Be at peace with your dreams tonight
Let their bittersweet threads
Weave the music of light
Too late, this taste for romance
Refrains of wasted hope
Too late, too late
To take this starring role
Betrayed, this faithless omen
Berate this cameo
Too late, too late
This face is scarred enough
There can be no escaping
How can I set you free?
I pray that your forgiveness
Might find its way to me
See through this apparition
Come look behind this disguise
My Christine
You are more than my world could mean
You've become my obsession
My reason, my life
Too late, this taste for romance
Refrains of wasted hope
Too late, too late
To take this starring role
Betrayed, this faithless omen
Berate this cameo
Too late, too late
This face is scarred enough
Too late, this taste for romance
Refrains of wasted hope
Too late, too late
To take this starring role
Betrayed, this faithless omen
Berate this cameo
Too late, too late
This face is scarred enough
Too late, this taste for romance
Refrains of wasted hope
Too late, too late
To take this starring role
Betrayed, this faithless omen
Berate this cameo
Too late, too late
This face is scarred enough
Too late
Too late
Bob Catley's song "Too Late" seems to be a tribute or reference to the story of Phantom of the Opera. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is feeling regret, sadness and isolation. The first stanza uses imagery of the moon, stars and twilight to set a melancholic tone. The second stanza mentions the singer being disguised and maimed, possibly referencing the Phantom himself who is known to wear a mask and has scarring on his face. The stanza also mentions an opera house burning and the singer being presumed dead, which could be a nod to the burning of the Paris Opera House in the story. The chorus repeats the phrase "Too late," signifying a feeling of helplessness and loss. The singer seems to be acknowledging that they have missed their chance at love or happiness, hence the bitterness in the refrain "Refrains of wasted hope." The song ends with the singer asking for forgiveness and revealing their obsession with a certain character named Christine.
The lyrics of "Too Late" can be interpreted in multiple ways, as they are somewhat vague and open to interpretation. The song could be referencing a relationship that has ended, or it could be referencing the Phantom's unrequited love for Christine. The lyrics and melody of the song seem to be influenced by the musical style of Phantom of the Opera, with its grandiose and dramatic nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Outside the moon is playing
The moon is shining outside
On star-like timpani
Its light falls on small round drums in the shape of stars
I feel the gloom embracing
I feel surrounded by sadness
This twilight symphony
This moment of the fading daylight feels like a musical performance
And still the brightest comet
Even the brightest thing in the sky
Pales in the light from your eyes
Is not as bright as the light in your eyes
My love, I stand before you
I am here before you, my love
Transformed in masquerade
I have become a different person
I have become this creature
I have turned into something else
Maimed by a twist of fate
Hurt by a cruel turn of events
The opera house was burning
The building for musical performances was on fire
They thought I'd died, I survived
Everyone thought I was dead, but I'm still alive
Darling, sleep
My dear, go to sleep
Be at peace with your dreams tonight
Let your dreams bring you peace tonight
Let their bittersweet threads
Let the mixed emotions of your dream
Weave the music of light
Create a beautiful atmosphere
Too late, this taste for romance
It is too late to indulge in romantic feelings
Refrains of wasted hope
Repeated lines of disappointment
To take this starring role
To be the lead character
Betrayed, this faithless omen
Betrayed by a sign of bad luck
Berate this cameo
Disparage this small appearance
This face is scarred enough
This appearance already has enough emotional wounds
There can be no escaping
There is no way to avoid
How can I set you free?
How can I help you be free?
I pray that your forgiveness
I hope you can forgive me
Might find its way to me
Will come to me
See through this apparition
See past this illusion
Come look behind this disguise
Look beneath this mask
My Christine
My beloved Christine
You are more than my world could mean
You are everything to me
You've become my obsession
You are all I can think about
My reason, my life
You are the purpose of my life
Too late
It is too late
Contributed by Brooklyn H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Leeroy Kincaid
Beautiful tune...