The line-up of the group has changed several times during the years they have performed together, but consists of sisters:
* Anne (born November 12, 1950)
* Denise (born April 9, 1952)
* Maureen (born June 14, 1954)
* Linda (born February 23, 1959)
* Bernadette (born Bernadette Therese Nolan, October 17, 1960)
* Coleen (born March 12, 1965).
Better Late Than Never
The Nolans Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Better late than never
I was the one who played the fool
Treated you bad, oh so cruel
Played off beat and out of time
Way out of tune, stepped out of line
Now boy
I know we've got a special feeling
Your love's got me reeling, baby
Better late than never
Your love turned out to be
I want you more than ever
I need you here with me
Forever baby
Come on now boy
We can make it together
Forever baby
You know that our love is
Better late than never
I was the one to hesitate
Cheated on love, made you wait
Played off limit, out of bounds
I couldn't decide, fooled around
Now I know
We got a special feeling, baby
Won't let it go
'Cause you've given my life a meaning
Baby
Better late than never
Your love turned out to be
I want you more than ever
I need you here with me
Forever baby
Come on now boy
We can make it together
Forever baby
You know that our love is
Better late than never
Better late than never
Your love turned out to be
I want you more than ever
I need you here with me
Better late than never...
The Nolans's song "Better Late Than Never" is a beautiful love song about a person who has realized that they have made mistakes in the past, including treating someone badly and playing off-beat, but is now ready to make things right. The singer admits to having been a fool, and having cheated on love, but recognizes that their love interest is worth fighting for. The song is about redemption and second chances, about recognizing the value of a good person and not taking them for granted.
The lyrics are very reflective and introspective, with the singer expressing a willingness to change and to do better. They acknowledge that it may be too late to undo the damage that has been done, but believe that it's never too late to try. They express a deep desire for the other person, saying that their love turns out to be more valuable than they realized before. The final lines of the song are "Better late than never," which is to say that it's better to make things right now than to never make them right at all.
Line by Line Meaning
Better late than never
It's better to do something late than never to do it at all - the song's main message
I was the one who played the fool
I made mistakes, acted foolishly and did things I shouldn't have done
Treated you bad, oh so cruel
I treated you unfairly and unkindly - I hurt you deeply
Played off beat and out of time
My actions didn't match the situation or what was expected, it was out of sync
Way out of tune, stepped out of line
I was completely out of tune and lost track of boundaries - I didn't respect the relationship
Now boy
Here and now, I am speaking to you as an equal in this relationship
I know we've got a special feeling
I realize we have a unique connection, something special that can't be ignored
Baby, don't let it go
Please don't give up on us or this love we have
Your love's got me reeling, baby
Your love is so strong that it's making me dizzy, overwhelmed and excited
Your love turned out to be
I wasn't sure about your love in the past, but now I can see it's true
I want you more than ever
I realize how much I want and need you in my life now more than ever before
I was the one to hesitate
I was the one who was indecisive and unsure about our love and relationship
Cheated on love, made you wait
I wasn't faithful and I made you wait for me to figure out what I wanted
Played off limit, out of bounds
I crossed boundaries, broke the rules and didn't consider your feelings
I couldn't decide, fooled around
I was confused and didn't know what I wanted, so I gave into temptation and messed around
Won't let it go
I won't let this love slip away or let past mistakes destroy what we have
'Cause you've given my life a meaning
Your love has given my life a sense of purpose and direction
Forever baby
I want to be with you forever and make this love last
Come on now boy
Let's work together to make this love strong and lasting
We can make it together
We can overcome any challenges or obstacles if we're together in this relationship
You know that our love is
You understand that our love is important, real and worth fighting for
Better late than never...
Reinforcing the song's message that it's never too late to make things right and find true love
Contributed by Arianna S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jason Ridge
this song is a great 1 don't ever take it off here
Stephanie Katavolos
I think this was the B-side of I'm in the Mood for Dancing...? Or Who's Gonna Rock You Now? I bought both singles :D
Lyn Carter
I have had the tape Making Waves since 1981. Played it so much it is worn out.