Signed to the Swan record label by producer Jerry Ross, the trio's first single releases were on that imprint. Their first single release was entitled 'Where Is Johnny Now?' b/w 'Your True Love'.
Their follow up song was entitled 'Who Do You Love?', a song that made the pop charts, peaking at number 25 in 1964. Further singles, 'I Found Out Too Late' and 'Gotta Be More Than Friends' were less successful. Moving to ABC later in the Sixties, they failed to return to the charts. At ABC however they released the popular song 'Let's Break Up For A While'.
During their early career, the group were associated with Kenny Gamble, who arranged their vocals on the groups debut album release, 'Who Do You Love'.
Their songs proved to be highly popular, at a later date, on the Northern Soul scene, including 'Gotta Have Your Love' (number 33 on the R & B charts in 1965 and featuring background vocals by Valerie Simpson, Nick Ashford, and Melba Moore), 'Evil One', 'Gonna Be a Big Thing', and 'Slow Fizz' (1966). The latter song ended their contract with ABC and the group went their seperate ways.
I Found Out Too Late
The Sapphires Lyrics
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I found out just a little bit too late
That my heart had made a mistake
In loving you oh
I heard you were running around with
Some girl you think's for living in
I should've known you could never love me
I found out too late too late
I found out just a little bit too late
That my heart had made a mistake
In loving you oh
I stay at home and I sit by the phone
Hoping that you will call
Wishing I could be the girl with you
It's not that way at all oh baby
I found out too late too late
I found out just a little bit too late
That my heart had made a mistake
In loving you oh
With your good looks and your sweet talk
I couldn't help falling in love with you
I though I I'd found a love that was really true
But now I'm blue girl blue
Guess you know I've been crying every night
These tears I cry are not for you
I'm crying for every girl in this world
Who's been hurt by guys like you oh baby
I found out too late too late
I found out just a little bit too late
That my heart had made a mistake
In loving you oh
I found out a little bit too late
I found out too late too late too late
I found out just a little bit too late
I found out too late too late too late
I found out just a little bit too late
I found out too late too late too late
I found out just a little bit too late
The song "I Found Out Too Late" is a soulful reflection on the aftermath of a heartbreak. The lead singer expresses her regret for falling in love with someone who was never capable of reciprocating her feelings. She laments that she discovered the truth about her lover's infidelity only after she had already given him her heart. The lyrics reveal her pain and vulnerability, as she copes with the realization that she has been betrayed.
The song's protagonist confesses that she had hoped to be the one by her lover's side, but now she is left alone, waiting for a phone call that may never come. She is forced to confront the fact that her heart was misguided and her devotion was misplaced. The melancholy melody of the track emphasizes the somber tone of the lyrics, as the lead singer waves goodbye to a love that was never meant to be.
Line by Line Meaning
I found out too late too late
I discovered the truth about you after it was too late to change my feelings.
I found out just a little bit too late
I learned the hard way that you weren't who I thought you were.
That my heart had made a mistake
My emotions led me astray and made me fall for someone who wasn't worth my love.
In loving you oh
I gave away my heart to you, even though it was a mistake.
I heard you were running around with
I learned that you were seeing someone else.
Some girl you think's for living in
You were seeing another woman who you thought was better than me.
I should've known you could never love me
I should have realized that you weren't capable of loving me the way I deserved.
And we could only be friends and baby
Our relationship was only ever meant to be platonic.
I stay at home and I sit by the phone
I spend my days waiting for your call.
Hoping that you will call
I still have hope that you will reach out to me.
Wishing I could be the girl with you
I long to be the one by your side.
It's not that way at all oh baby
But the reality is far from that idealistic image.
With your good looks and your sweet talk
Your charming personality and attractive appearance caught my attention.
I couldn't help falling in love with you
I was powerless to resist my emotions and fell hard for you.
I though I I'd found a love that was really true
I believed that our love was genuine and would stand the test of time.
But now I'm blue girl blue
But now I'm left feeling sad and heartbroken.
Guess you know I've been crying every night
You can probably guess that I've been shedding tears over you every evening.
These tears I cry are not for you
But these tears aren't just for you, they're for all the girls who have been hurt by someone like you.
I'm crying for every girl in this world
I'm not just upset about my own situation, but for all the women who have faced similar heartbreak.
Who's been hurt by guys like you oh baby
I'm mourning for all the women who have been hurt by men like you.
Writer(s): KENNY GAMBLE, JERRY J. ROSS
Contributed by Eli V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.