Released as a single in 1978, it reached number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 pop chart, Adult Contemporary chart, and R&B charts. Outside the U.S., the song peaked at number nine on the Canadian Singles Chart and number three on the UK Singles Chart.
"Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" was certified gold and silver in the U.S. and in the UK by the RIAA and the British Phonographic Industry respectively.
Too Much Too Little Too Late
Johnny Mathis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sorry that it had to end this way
No reason to pretend
We knew it had to end some day, this way
Yes, it's over, the kids are gone
What's the use of tryin' to hang on
Somewhere we lost the key
And it's clear to see
Too much, too little
Too late to lie again with you
Too much, too little
Too late to try again with you
We're in the middle of ending
Something that we knew
It's over
Oh, it was over
Too much, too little,
Too late to ever try again
Too much, too little
Too late, let's end it being friends
Too much, too little
Too late, we knew it had to end
Ah, it's over
It's over
Yes, it's over, the chips are down (whoa)
Nearly all our bridges tumbled down
Whatever chance we try
Let's face it widened eye
It's over (it's over)
It's over
Too much, too little
Too late to ever try again
Too much, too little
Too late, let's end it being friends
Too much, too little,
Too late, we knew it had to end
And it's over
And it's over
And it's over
Too much, too little,
Too late to ever try again
Too much, too little,
Too late, let's end it being friends
The lyrics of "Too Much Too Little Too Late" by Johnny Mathis describe the end of a romantic relationship that has reached its limit. The singer acknowledges that it is time to let go and move on as the kids have left and there is very little left for them as a couple. They have lost the key to their relationship, and it is clear that it's over. The lines "Too much, too little, Too late to lie again with you, Too much, too little, Too late to try again with you" indicate that they have tried to salvage their relationship, but it is too late as they have reached the point of no return.
The chorus "We're in the middle of ending, Something that we knew" highlights the fact that they have been struggling for a while, and it is not a sudden break up. The bridge "Yes, it's over, the chips are down (whoa), Nearly all our bridges tumbled down" portrays that the relationship has collapsed, and they are at the point where they cannot repair it. The final chorus "Too much, too little, Too late, we knew it had to end, And it's over, And it's over, And it's over" sums up the bitter-sweet ending of the relationship, accepting it's time for them to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Guess it's over, call it a day
We have come to the end, and it's time to move forward
Sorry that it had to end this way
It's unfortunate that we couldn't find a way to make this work
No reason to pretend
There's no point in pretending that everything is okay
We knew it had to end some day, this way
We both knew that the relationship would end eventually, but we didn't expect it to end this way
Yes, it's over, the kids are gone
Our children have grown up and moved on, and so should we
What's the use of tryin' to hang on
There's no point in holding on to something that's already over
Somewhere we lost the key
We lost the key to our relationship, and we can't find it again
So little left for you and me
There's not much left between us anymore, our love has dwindled
And it's clear to see
It's obvious that our relationship has come to an end
Too much, too little
We gave too much, and received too little in return
Too late to lie again with you
It's too late to try and deceive one another into thinking that things can change
Too late to try again with you
There's no point in trying to rekindle our relationship, it's over for good
We're in the middle of ending
We're stuck in this limbo of trying to move on from each other's lives
Something that we knew
We both knew that this relationship had an expiry date
It's over
Plain and simple, our relationship has ended
Oh, it was over
We both knew that it was time to end this relationship
Too much, too little, too late to ever try again
We've exhausted all the chances to make things work, it's too late now
Too late, let's end it being friends
It's time we accept that things have ended and move forward as friends
Yes, it's over, the chips are down (whoa)
We've hit rock bottom and it's time to come to terms with the end of our relationship
Nearly all our bridges tumbled down
We've burned a lot of bridges between us, and there's no going back
Whatever chance we try
Even if we try to make this work again, we already know it's a lost cause
Let's face it widened eye
Let's acknowledge the reality of the situation
And it's over (it's over)
Our relationship has finally come to an end
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN MCINTYRE VALLINS, NAT KIPNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sazonsongs
I’m 55. I feel so blessed to have grown up with this music in my ears. What a gift!
@queenrc4372
I'm 55yrs old as well & I feel the same way!🥰
@aliyourbrother1
I'm 60. Yes it was so beautiful growing up with such beautiful music.
@LW97672
I feel the same way. I’m 50 and remember taking road trips and listening to music. I was young but this music stays with you forever.
@aliyourbrother1
@@LW97672 those were the days,!
@msh8692
I'm with you sis
@douglashorner3522
My mother played this vinyl over and over again when I was a kid! It has a special place in my heart! It's a beautiful song, sung perfectly. She passed in Sept of 2021! I miss her so very much! This song is bitter sweet for me! Cherish the moments, everyone.
@chicagorainbow8935
My Deepest Condolences 🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂
@jeyjones2887
Hey I totally understand,, This song has the same meaning to me my mother played this when I was a Kid and I knew she was sad because her and my fathers problems during that time,, it takes me right back when I played it back after hearing it come over the radio in this truck stop restaurant,, she’s been gone since 2009 strange how some things can take you back to moments in an instant 🕊️
@reneeranger2885
@Jey Jones 4