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 & Deniece Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Guess it's over, call it a day
Sorry that it had to end this way
No reason to pretend
We knew it had to end some day, this way
Deniece:
Yes, it's over, the kicks are gone
Somewhere we lost the key
So little left for you and me and it's clear to see
Both: 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
Johnny: Was over
Deniece: Oh, it was over
Both: 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
Deniece; And, it's over
Johnny: It's over
Deniece:
Yes, it's over, the chips are down (whoa)
Pitty all our bridges tumbled down
Johnny:
Whatever chance we try, let's face it why deny It's over
Deniece: (It's over)
Johnny: It's over
Both: 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
Johnny: And it's over
Deniece: And it's over
Johnny: It's over
Deniece: And it's over
Fade
Both: Too much, too little, too late to ever try again
Too much, too little, too late, let's end it being friends
The song "Too Much Too Little Too Late" sung by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams is a power ballad that is about a breakup of a relationship that has run its course. The lyrics reveal a sense of sadness and regret because the relationship that they had was once good but now it's come to an end. Johnny sings about the end of the relationship presenting the scenario as an unfixable state of affairs, as if he sees no other way than to part ways, while Deniece sings about feeling defeated and not seeing the purpose of trying to hold on to something that has already come to an end. They both agree that it is too much and too little to try and lie again with each other, too much too little too late to give it another go, and their realization that it is time to end what they both knew was coming. The lyrics convey a deep sense of sadness and acceptance that the relationship has run its course and it is time to move on.
Additionally, the song speaks to an adult audience that may relate to the feeling of hopelessness that can come with the pain of separation. The song's melody is somber, yet uplifting lyrics that offer a cathartic experience for those who have had to let go of a previous relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Guess it's over, call it a day
We are accepting that our relationship is over
Sorry that it had to end this way
We feel regretful that our relationship has come to this
No reason to pretend
There's no need to pretend anymore, we both know it's over
We knew it had to end some day, this way
We both were aware that our relationship wasn't meant to last forever
Yes, it's over, the kicks are gone
Our relationship doesn't make us happy anymore
What's the use of tryin' to hang on?
Trying to make this relationship work anymore is pointless
Somewhere we lost the key
We missed out on something important in our relationship
So little left for you and me and it's clear to see
There's not much left in this relationship and it's obvious to us
Too much, too little, too late to lie again with you
It's too late for us to start lying to each other to make things work
Too much, too little, too late to try again with you
We missed our chance to try again with each other
We're in the middle of ending something that we knew
We're currently in the process of ending something we knew wasn't meant to last
Whatever chance we try, let's face it why deny It's over
Even if we gave it one last chance, we both know it's over
Yes, it's over, the chips are down (whoa)
We both recognize that things have reached their lowest point in our relationship
Pitty all our bridges tumbled down
It's a shame that our relationship fell apart the way it did
Too much, too little, too late to ever try again
It's simply too late for us to try to make this work again
Too much, too little, too late, let's end it being friends
Let's accept that our romantic relationship is over and try to remain friends
And, it's over
We're acknowledging that our relationship has officially ended
Fade
The song slowly fades away as our relationship does the same.
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