It's Late
Rick Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We gotta get on home
It's late (it's late)
We've been gone too long
Too bad (too bad)
We should a checked our time
Can't phone (can't phone)
It's late (it's late)
We're 'bout to run outta gas
It's late (it's late)
We gotta get home fast
Can't speed (can't speed)
We're in a slow-down zone
Baby, look at that clock, why can't it be wrong?
If we could a left home at a quarter to nine
Would a had fun and plenty of time
We got started just a little bit late
Hope this won't be our last date
Look up (look up)
Is that the moon we see?
Can't be (can't be)
Looks like the sun to me
It's late (it's late)
I hate to face your Dad
Too bad (too bad)
I know he's gonna be mad
It's late (it's late)
We gotta get on home
It's late (it's late)
We've been gone too long
It's late (it's late)
We're 'bout to run outta gas
It's late (it's late)
We gotta get home fast
Can't speed (can't speed)
We're in a slow-down zone
Baby, look at that clock, why can't it be wrong?
If we could a left home at a quarter to nine
Would a had fun and plenty of time
We got started just a little bit late
Hope this won't be our last date
Look up (look up)
Is that the moon we see?
Can't be (can't be)
Looks like the sun to me
It's late (it's late)
I hate to face your Dad
Too bad (too bad)
I know he's gonna be mad
It's late (it's late)
We gotta get on home
It's late (it's late)
We've been gone too long
(It's late)
"It's Late" by Rick Nelson is a song about a couple who stayed out too late and now have to rush back home before getting in trouble. In the first verse, the lyrics stress the importance of getting back home because it's getting late, and they have gone too far. The couple has no money left to buy gas and no way to call for help. The second verse continues to reinforce the urgency of the situation; they're running low on gas and in a slow-down zone. The lyrics reveal that if they had gone out earlier, they could have had fun and plenty of time. The bridge talks about the sun being mistaken for the moon because of how late it is.
The chorus repeats the message that they need to get home because it's late and they have been gone for too long. The couple is worried about facing the father and his anger as they have stayed out late. The song is catchy and features a simple melody that conveys the urgency of the situation. It highlights the consequences of staying out late and not being responsible, which is relatable to many people who have experienced similar situations in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
It's late (it's late)
The night has become too advanced, and we should have returned home sooner.
We gotta get on home
We need to return to our residence as soon as possible.
We've been gone too long
We have spent more time outside than intended.
Too bad (too bad)
It is regrettable that we did not monitor the time carefully.
We should a checked our time
We should have ensured that we were keeping track of time more effectively.
Can't phone (can't phone)
We have no more money to make any phone calls.
We done spent every dime
We have exhausted all our money.
We're 'bout to run outta gas
Our vehicle is running low on fuel.
Can't speed (can't speed)
We are in an area with low speed limits and cannot drive faster.
We're in a slow-down zone
The speed limits in the area are reduced.
Baby, look at that clock, why can't it be wrong?
We would prefer if the time on the clock was incorrect, giving us more leeway.
If we could a left home at a quarter to nine
If we left earlier in the evening, we would have had ample time to enjoy ourselves.
Would a had fun and plenty of time
We would have enjoyed our evening without worrying about the time constraints.
We got started just a little bit late
We began our evening plans later than we should have.
Hope this won't be our last date
We hope that tonight will not be the last time we see each other.
Look up (look up)
Let's direct our attention to the sky.
Is that the moon we see?
We are uncertain if the celestial body we see is the moon.
Can't be (can't be)
It seems unlikely that the object is the moon.
Looks like the sun to me
The object appears more like the sun than the moon.
I hate to face your Dad
I am uneasy about encountering your father.
I know he's gonna be mad
I anticipate that he will be displeased with us.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DORSEY BURNETTE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@smokinjz
It's late (it's late)
We gotta get on home
It's late (it's late)
We've been gone too long
Too bad (too bad)
We should a checked our time
Can't phone (can't phone)
We done spent every dime
It's late (it's late)
We're 'bout to run outta gas
It's late (it's late)
We gotta get home fast
Can't speed (can't speed)
We're in a slow-down zone
Baby, look at that clock, why can't it be wrong?
If we could a left home at a quarter to nine
Would a had fun and plenty of time
We got started just a little bit late
Hope this won't be our last date
Look up (look up)
Is that the moon we see?
Can't be (can't be)
Looks like the sun to me
It's late (it's late)
I hate to face your Dad
Too bad (too bad)
I know he's gonna be mad
It's late (it's late)
We gotta get on home
It's late (it's late)
We've been gone too long
It's late (it's late)
We're 'bout to run outta gas
It's late (it's late)
We gotta get home fast
Can't speed (can't speed)
We're in a slow-down zone
Baby, look at that clock, why can't it be wrong?
If we could a left home at a quarter to nine
Would a had fun and plenty of time
We got started just a little bit late
Hope this won't be our last date
Look up (look up)
Is that the moon we see?
Can't be (can't be)
Looks like the sun to me
It's late (it's late)
I hate to face your Dad
Too bad (too bad)
I know he's gonna be mad
It's late (it's late)
We gotta get on home
It's late (it's late)
We've been gone too long
(It's late)
@Maverick4023
Glad to have this one on 45. Shame that Ricky Nelson is quite overlooked nowadays. He absolutely rocked!
@charlesmurray4013
If Life Would Have Taken A Differant Turn He Would Have Been An Elvis.
@kentshelton3451
I love his song! It has a great beat and Ricky's voice rocks to this day. RIP
@fatimadossantoslima7488
Musica lindíssima boa gosto Rick Nelson cantor faz muito sucesso até hoje faz sucesso até hoje faz sucesso até hoje
@commonman131
One of the best recording artists of all time.
@hurricanefury439
easily my favorite ricky nelson song. it's super catchy and has a great rhythm
@magicbus63
It's Late But I'm Still Gonna Listen To Ricky Nelson
@excelsior999
Why can't that clock be wrong?!
@stephenfoster4178
Top top top
@magicbus63
RIP Ricky Nelson Your Music Lives On!