Too Late
Shoes Lyrics

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Every time I see you
I wish I could believe you
Do you ever mean a thing you say

You lied, I tried to overlook your careless way of love
And when you call I never turned you down

Too late, too late

Too late to see
Too late to let you run away

You're never serious
Although you're so impossible
I never understand the games you play

<break>

Was it me that changed you, then
Or was it someone older
Are you ever lonely now and then

Every time I see you
I wish I didn't need you
Can you love or don't you even care

Too late, too late
Too late to see
Too late to let you run away

Too late, too late
Too late to see
Too late to let you run away

Oh, I should have known you'd slip away

Overall Meaning

The Shoes' song "Too Late" delves into the intricate emotions and thoughts of someone who is struggling to come to terms with the end of a relationship. The lyrics showcase the singer's troubled mind, as they keep questioning the honesty of their partner's love and wondering if they ever meant anything that they said. The opening lines, "Every time I see you, I wish I could believe you, Do you ever mean a thing you say" illustrate the singer's deep sense of unease and doubt.

The singer then mentions that they tried to overlook their partner's careless attitude towards love. In other words, they tried to overlook the flaws in the relationship and keep things going. The line "And when you call, I never turned you down" shows that the singer was always available when their partner needed them. However, despite their efforts, everything came crashing down, and now it's too late for them to do anything about it.

Overall, "Too Late" is a melancholic ballad that delves into the feelings of despair, self-doubt, and the struggle to let go. The lyrics are relatable and poignant, and the Shoes have done an excellent job of presenting complex emotions in a simple yet effective manner.

Line by Line Meaning

Every time I see you
Whenever I catch a glimpse of you

I wish I could believe you
I yearn to have faith in what you say

Do you ever mean a thing you say
Do you ever say anything meaningful or sincere?

You lied, I tried to overlook your careless way of love
You deceived me and I attempted to ignore your inconsiderate approach to love

And when you call I never turned you down
I always answered your call, no matter how much you hurt me before

Too late, too late
It's too far gone now

Too late to see
Now it's impossible to notice or comprehend

Too late to let you run away
It's too late to allow you to leave

You're never serious
You never show any genuine concern

Although you're so impossible
Despite being so difficult to deal with

I never understand the games you play
I never comprehend the tricks you are trying to pull