It's Late
Ricky/Rick Nelson Lyrics
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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)
The lyrics of the song "It's Late" by Ricky/Rick Nelson is about a couple who have been out for too long and are now late and have to face the consequences of their actions. The song starts with the repetition of the phrase "It's late" which signifies the urgency and the worry of the couple to get back home. The urgency is further highlighted when they realize they are about to run out of gas and the speed limit is slowing them down. The couple is worried about facing the girl's dad who is going to be mad at them for being late.
The song also depicts the sense of regret that the couple feels as they wish they had started earlier so they would have had more time to spend together. They are down to their last dime and cannot even make a phone call to inform anyone of their situation. The lyrics suggest that the couple had a good time while they were out, however, their carelessness has caused them to be late and now they are worried about the repercussions. The lyrics also depict the sense of an impending danger or trouble, as they feel like the moon they see might be the sun, which is not a good sign.
Overall, the song "It's Late" by Ricky/Rick Nelson can be interpreted as a warning against carelessness and bad time management, and the consequences that come with it. It also shows the fear of facing punishment from parents which is often experienced by young couples who have a curfew to abide by.
Line by Line Meaning
It's late (it's late)
We realize that it is very late at night.
We gotta get on home
We need to head home now.
It's late (it's late)
We acknowledge once again that it is late at night.
We've been gone too long
We have been away from home for an extended period of time.
Too bad (too bad)
It is unfortunate that we did not keep track of time better.
We should a checked our time
We should have been more careful in monitoring the passing of time.
Can't phone (can't phone)
We cannot make any phone calls as we have no money left to do so.
We done spent every dime
We have used up all of our money.
It's late (it's late)
We realize once more that it is late at night.
We're 'bout to run outta gas
We are running low on fuel.
It's late (it's late)
We recognize once more that it is late at night.
We gotta get home fast
We need to return home as quickly as possible.
Can't speed (can't speed)
We cannot exceed the speed limit.
We're in a slow-down zone
We are in an area where there is a reduced speed limit.
Baby, look at that clock, why can't it be wrong?
We desperately wish that the clock were not accurate, so we would have more time.
If we could a left home at a quarter to nine
If we had left home earlier in the evening, things would have gone much more smoothly.
Would a had fun and plenty of time
We would have had a great time and avoided this stressful situation if we had left home earlier.
We got started just a little bit late
We began our evening activities later than we should have.
Hope this won't be our last date
We hope that this will not be the last time we see each other.
Look up (look up)
We implore the other person to look upwards.
Is that the moon we see?
We ask if the celestial body we see is the moon.
Can't be (can't be)
We express disbelief that the celestial body we see is the moon.
Looks like the sun to me
We assert that the celestial body we see appears to be the sun.
It's late (it's late)
We recognize that it is very late at night.
I hate to face your Dad
We dread the prospect of encountering the other person's father.
Too bad (too bad)
It is unfortunate that we will have to face the other person's father.
I know he's gonna be mad
We anticipate that the other person's father will be angry with us.
It's late (it's late)
We acknowledge that it is very late at night.
We gotta get on home
We need to return home as soon as possible.
We've been gone too long
We have been away from home for a significant period of time.
(It's late)
We repeat once again that it is late at night.
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!