Rita Coolidge (born May 1, 1945, in Lafayette, Tennessee) is an American Si… Read Full Bio ↴Rita Coolidge (born May 1, 1945, in Lafayette, Tennessee) is an American Singer.

Coolidge's early career was as a backing vocalist, for artists such as Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton, and Leon Russell. Her performance of "Superstar" on the Cocker/Russell Mad Dogs and Englishmen album helped gain her attention. She became known as "The Delta Lady" and inspired Leon Russell to write a song of the same name for her. It was during this time that she met Kris Kristofferson; the two married in 1973. With him, she recorded several duet albums which sold well, and earned them a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1974 for From the Bottle to the Bottom, and in 1976 for Lover Please.

In 1997, Coolidge was one of the founding members of Walela, a Native American music trio, that also includes Coolidge's sister Priscilla and Priscilla's daughter Laura Satterfield. The trio released albums in 1997 and 2000. Walela means hummingbird in Cherokee.

Late Again
Rita Coolidge Lyrics

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Woke up late again this morning
'Cause I was late again last night
In the mood that I was born in
And my skin was feelin' tight

I took a short cut to the city
Had myself a drink or two
I got over feeling shaky

But I'm still ain't over you

Good God, I might as well forget you
You ain't never comin' true
Seems like ever since I met you
I've been gettin' over you

I don't crave no conversation
I don't need no sympathy
All I want now is my baby
And my baby wantin' me

So take me any way you want me
I'll take you any way I can
I don't want your sack of candy
Just a little sweetness now and then

I got to get myself together
With someone who wants some too

Maybe I can learn to love him
While I'm gettin' over you

Overall Meaning

The first verse of Rita Coolidge's song "Late Again" expresses the feeling of being stuck in a cycle of self-destruction. The singer wakes up late once more, due to being out late the previous night. She is feeling low, like she is in the same mood she was born with, and her skin is tight, indicating anxiety. In the second verse, she shares that she had a few drinks the previous night and is continuing to have a hard time getting over someone she once loved. The chorus suggests that she knows this person is never coming back, and since meeting him, she has to get over him time and time again.

In the third verse, the singer reveals that she no longer has the energy for conversation or sympathy from others; all she wants is her lover back. The following lines suggest that she is willing to be flexible to make it work. She doesn't need extravagance; instead, she wants her lover to provide small moments of sweetness amidst the pain she is going through. The last verse expresses her resolution to get over her lost love by moving on with someone else gradually.

Overall, the song conveys the bittersweet experience of a person who is trying to get over a past love. The lyrics emphasize the loneliness and hopelessness associated with heartbreak. It is a poignant and relatable song that has resonated with listeners since its release in 1978.

Late AgainRita Coolidge Lyrics

Late Again
Rita Coolidge Lyrics