It's Late
The Burnette Brothers 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 Burnette Brothers' song "It's Late" tells the nostalgic story of two lovers returning home after a long and eventful night. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles that impede their progress and create a sense of urgency. The singer laments that they should have left earlier and bemoans their lack of foresight in checking the time and conserving resources. The looming prospect of facing the girl's father only adds to their anxiety and sense of being trapped.
The song's lyrics effectively capture the tension between the thrill of romance and the fear of consequences, as well as the youthful desire to live in the moment without thinking of the future. The repeated refrain of "it's late" emphasizes the idea that time is running out and the couple may face punishment for their actions. The use of metaphors, such as the reference to the sun appearing like the moon, adds a dreamlike quality to the song and underscores the surreal experience of being caught up in the passion of the moment.
Interestingly, "It's Late" was originally a b-side to The Burnette Brothers' first single, "Warm Love." However, it became much more popular and was eventually covered by a number of artists, including Queen and Shakin' Stevens. The song's catchy melody, vintage rockabilly sound, and relatable lyrics have ensured its continued popularity and enduring appeal to listeners across generations.
Line by Line Meaning
It's late (it's late)
The time is now very late and we need to go home as soon as possible.
We gotta get on home
We need to leave this place and make our way back to our house.
We've been gone too long
We have already spent a lot of time outside and should have returned home earlier.
Too bad (too bad)
Unfortunately, we made a mistake by not keeping track of the time.
We should a checked our time
We should have been more responsible and checked what time it was before we stayed out for so long.
Can't phone (can't phone)
We can't call anyone for help because we have already spent all our money.
We done spent every dime
We have already used up all our money and can't afford to make any calls.
We're 'bout to run outta gas
Our car is almost out of fuel and we need to hurry up to reach home before it dies down completely.
Can't speed (can't speed)
We cannot drive very fast because the zone we are in has speed limits which we have to follow.
We're in a slow-down zone
The area we are driving in has restrictions on going too fast.
Baby, look at that clock, why can't it be wrong?
We are hoping that the clock we are looking at is incorrect and that we have more time left than we think.
If we could a left home at a quarter to nine
If we had started our journey earlier, at a quarter to nine, we would have had plenty of time to have fun and not rush back home.
Would a had fun and plenty of time
If we had left home earlier, we would have been able to enjoy ourselves and not worry about running out of time.
We got started just a little bit late
We started our journey slightly later than we should have and are now paying the price.
Hope this won't be our last date
We hope that this mistake won't affect our relationship and that we will have more opportunities to go out together in the future.
Look up (look up)
Let us take a moment to focus on something else.
Is that the moon we see?
Are we seeing the moon right now?
Can't be (can't be)
It is unlikely that what we are seeing is the moon.
Looks like the sun to me
What we see appears to be more like the sun than the moon.
I hate to face your Dad
I am afraid of facing your father and having to explain why we are coming home so late.
I know he's gonna be mad
I am sure that your father will not be happy with us for staying out this late.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DORSEY BURNETTE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ken Spooner
Living history !
TheRangerider100
Yeah I love this "unplugged" stuff-no fireworks, massed choirs and frantic dancers, just straight ahead rockin' music. check out stevie ray vaughan's "pride and joy" and chris izaak's "wicked game" both done unplugged and acoustic...POW!!!
jack freeman
Don't get me wrong I like the performance especially like the acoustic bass.
Jarski J.
Billy Burnette is doing just fine but look at the corgeous girl @ 1:29 !
TheRangerider100
I guess it puts the song in a key thats comfortable for the singer.......musicians joke-how do you know when a singer is at the door? He can't find his key and doesn't know when to come in.... har har
jack freeman
Don't understand them using capo's for a basic song like this played with plectrums.
Kelvin Smith
@jack freeman ...listen I'm 70 years old and been a guitarist all my life , I don't need any advice from you . It's obviously the way THEY wanted to play for vocal delivery ....so keep your dumb comments to yourself.
Martin Mcshane
jack freeman
Dr. Mark
It's hard to believe he played for Fleetwood Mac. He's also played for John Fogerty. I just don't see the pizazz...he's okay, but I've been playing studio, and some stage work for over 40 years...met a host of very talented, very well rehearsed guitarists...I don't see why, or what the big deal is...compare him to even some rank amateurs...his stage presence is marginal at best.
GreatToonz
He got into Fleetwood Mac because he had been playing in Mick's solo band the Zoo, and he also backed up Lindsey Buckingham on SNL in the early 80's, so he was familiar to them, and so when Lindsey suddenly quit in 87 i think they just looked for the first familiar faces they could get. Mind you it was Rick Vito who was hired at the same time who was the guitar slinger brought in to cover Lindsey's parts. Billy was just a rhythm man and marginal vocalist. But i see what you're saying, if he were an actor he'd be the B or C grade guy you get when you can't get a big name leading man. Yet he managed to get into some big acts over the years.