Guy is known for his showmanship; for example, he plays with drumsticks and walks into the audience whilst playing, the latter being a gimmick he picked up from a local blues guitarist at an early age (joining or leaping into the audience has also long been common in both American popular and gospel music, as in the earlier work of Big Jay McNeely or the Dixie Hummingbirds).
Guy grew up in Louisiana where he learned to play guitar. In the early 1950s he began performing with bands in Baton Rouge. Soon after moving to Chicago in 1957, Guy fell under the influence of "Mighty" Muddy Waters. In 1958 he won a record contract with Artistic Records after beating the West Side guitarists Magic Sam and Otis Rush in a "Head Cutting Contest" at the Blue Flame Club. Soon afterwards he recorded for the Cobra label.
In the early 1960s, Guy was a session guitarist for Chess Records. He recorded on Junior Wells sessions for Delmark Records under the pseudonym Friendly Chap in 1965 and 1966. His career took off during a blues revival period in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and was sparked by Eric Clapton's request that Guy be part of the '24 nights' all-star blues guitar lineup at London's Royal Albert Hall and Guy's subsequent signing with Silvertone Records.
Too Late
Buddy Guy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tired of your deceiving and
I can't stand your grieving I'm gone
Too late too late too late
Tired of all your fussing and
I can't stand your cussing I'm gone
Tired of all your fussing and
Do you know I love you
I don't know just why
I thought though I love you
But today I say bye bye bye bye
Too late too late too late
I can't stand your cooking and
You ain't good looking I'm gone
I can't stand your cooking and
You ain't good looking I'm gone
Moving on, so long, I'm gone
Do you know I love you
I don't know just why
I thought though I love you
But today I say bye bye bye bye
Too late too late too late
I can't stand your beating
And I'm tired of all your cheating I'm gone
I can't stand your beating
And I'm tired of all your cheating I'm gone
I can't stand your cheating
And I'm tired of all your beating I'm gone
I can't stand your cooking and
You ain't good looking I'm gone
I can't stand your cooking and
You ain't good looking I'm gone
The lyrics of the song "Too Late" by Buddy Guy are essentially about someone leaving a relationship that has gone sour. Throughout the song, the singer lists a variety of reasons for this decision, all of which stem from the other person's behavior. The chorus repeats the phrase "too late" as a way of emphasizing that the damage has already been done and it's too late to try and make amends.
The first verse talks about being tired of the other person's deceiving and grieving. It's unclear exactly what these mean in the context of the relationship, but it's clear that the singer has had enough. The second verse mentions fussing and cussing, suggesting that the other person is difficult to get along with and prone to angry outbursts. The third verse brings up cooking and looks, indicating that these are also factors contributing to the breakup. Finally, in the fourth verse, the singer mentions beating and cheating, implying that there has been some sort of physical or emotional abuse.
Throughout the song, there is an undercurrent of sadness and frustration. The singer clearly loved the other person at one point, but has reached the point of no return. The repetition of "bye bye bye" at the end of each verse is a final statement of the singer's resolve to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Too late too late too late
It's too late for any reconciliation or turning back.
Tired of your deceiving and
I'm exhausted from your lies and dishonesty.
I can't stand your grieving I'm gone
Your constant crying and lamenting has pushed me over the edge.
Tired of all your fussing and
I'm weary of your constant arguing and fighting.
I can't stand your cussing I'm gone
I can't tolerate your offensive language anymore.
Do you know I love you
Despite everything, do you understand that I still have feelings for you?
I don't know just why
I'm confused and unsure of my own emotions towards you.
I thought though I love you
Before, I believed that I was in love with you.
But today I say bye bye bye bye
Now I'm saying goodbye, and I'm not turning back.
I can't stand your cooking and
Your food is terrible and I can't handle it anymore.
You ain't good looking I'm gone
And on top of it, you're not even attractive to me.
Moving on, so long, I'm gone
I'm leaving and starting a new chapter in my life.
I'm tired of all your cheating I'm gone
Your infidelities have worn me out and made me leave.
I can't stand your beating
Your physical abuse towards me is intolerable and unacceptable.
And I'm tired of all your cheating I'm gone
I'm exhausted from your unfaithfulness and leaving.
I can't stand your cheating
Your disloyalty and infidelity are not something I can endure.
I can't stand your cooking and
And to add insult to injury, your food is not good.
You ain't good looking I'm gone
And I'm just not attracted to you anymore.
I can't stand your cooking and
And on top of it, your cooking is unbearable.
You ain't good looking I'm gone
Your appearance no longer holds any appeal to me.
Contributed by Ava S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.