Krikorian is a singer/songwriter, whose songs have been recorded by Charlie Sexton, Bette Midler, Peter Case, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Vanessa Williams, Bonnie Raitt and others. He is most commonly regarded as a Christian artist, and has released several albums of Christian songs starting with Romeo Unchained (1986); prior to that, he was decidedly a secular artist.
Krikorian and Alan Shapazian (rhythm guitar) formed a band called The Raik's Progress which recorded one single for Liberty Records, released in 1967. In 1973, he appeared as a member of the former Buddy Holly backing band the Crickets on their album "Remnants".
By 1978, Krikorian went solo, adopting the name of Tonio K, possibly a reference to the Thomas Mann novel Tonio Kröger, with Life In The Foodchain.
Krikorian is featured as lead vocalist on the song "Don't Fade Away." from the Crickets & Their Buddies album, released in the summer of 2004.
Better Late Than Never
Tonio K. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just like they always had
I knocked her down and left the room
But she came running back
And I said:
Hey look around
Hey look in your mirror
It'll get so much clearer
Why continue to push and pull
And punish each other
When it would be so much easier
To just find another lover
Now you're feelin' cold
Hey baby I'm on fire
And I'm losin' control
Because you've got no desire
And so we go sparring through the night
Like to lightweight contenders
The flames have gone out
Let's extinguish the embers
Put up the flag
And lay down your weapon
This perpetual battle royal here
Is a long way from heaven
Call it a mistake
Or call it whatever
Let's just call it off
Better late than never
Now I've got you
And you've got me
But we've got no manners at all
We're still counting down to ecstasy
When some courtesy's all the situation wants
And that's so hard
So you keep the car
And all the passionate letters
They won't get you that far
They won't make it no better
And maybe someday
Some other time
We can try this again
Maybe someday these flamin' hearts
Will learn how to be friends
But right now
Put up the flag
And lay down your weapon ...
The song "Better Late Than Never" by Tonio K. speaks about a couple that are clearly not meant for each other but continue to stay together nonetheless. The lyrics describe how the couple keeps fighting and hurting each other, but instead of trying to find a way to make it work, the singer suggests calling it off and finding someone else to love. The first verse describes a physical fight between the couple, but even after the fight, they cannot let go of each other. The singer urges the couple to stop punishing each other and find someone else to share their lives with.
The second verse reveals that the couple's passion has faded away, and they continue to argue and fight like "lightweight contenders." The singer suggests that they extinguish their emotions and just call it off, better late than never. In the final verse, the singer admits that they both have bad manners and cannot communicate correctly. Even though they still have feelings for each other, it is best to part ways and move on.
Overall, "Better Late Than Never" seems to be a cautionary tale about love and relationships. The singer warns that it is better to be alone than continue to stay in a toxic relationship. He suggests that couples should communicate better, and once they realize it's not working, they should call it off and find someone else.
Line by Line Meaning
The insults and the punches flew
The exchange of hurtful words and physical violence was common in our relationship.
Just like they always had
This type of behavior was not rare or unexpected.
I knocked her down and left the room
I physically hurt my partner and then left her without any care for her well-being.
But she came running back
My partner still wanted to be with me despite the hurtful behavior.
Hey look around
Take a good look at the situation.
Hey look in your mirror
Reflect on your own behavior and contribution to the situation.
Lay your ego down
Set aside your pride and self-importance.
It'll get so much clearer
You'll have a better understanding of the situation without the interference of your ego.
Why continue to push and pull
Why continue to engage in an unhealthy and destructive cycle?
And punish each other
Our behavior towards each other is causing harm.
When it would be so much easier
Choosing to end things with each other would be a simpler and healthier alternative.
To just find another lover
To move on and pursue other relationships would be better for both of us.
Now you're feelin' cold
Now that I'm no longer invested in the relationship, you're feeling the effects of the distance.
Hey baby I'm on fire
I'm passionate about leaving this relationship behind.
And I'm losin' control
I'm finding it hard to resist my desire to leave.
Because you've got no desire
Your lack of interest in improving the relationship is fueling my desire to leave.
And so we go sparring through the night
We continue to engage in argument and conflict throughout the night.
Like to lightweight contenders
Our behavior towards each other is similar to that of boxers in lower weight classes.
The flames have gone out
The passion and love that once existed between us is no longer present.
Let's extinguish the embers
We need to put an end to the remaining feelings of love and passion that still exist between us.
Put up the flag
Let's call a truce.
And lay down your weapon
Let's stop fighting and hurting each other.
This perpetual battle royal here
Our never-ending fights and conflict.
Is a long way from heaven
Our relationship is far from the ideal peaceful state of heaven.
Call it a mistake
Let's call our relationship a mistake.
Or call it whatever
We can label our relationship as something else if it makes it easier to let go.
Let's just call it off
Let's end our relationship.
Better late than never
It's still better to end the relationship now, even if it's later than it should have been.
Now I've got you
I have your attention.
And you've got me
I'm finally listening to you.
But we've got no manners at all
Our communication and behavior towards each other is still unhealthy.
We're still counting down to ecstasy
We're still waiting for our relationship to reach its full potential.
When some courtesy's all the situation wants
All this situation needs is some respect and consideration towards each other.
And that's so hard
Despite it seeming simple, it's still difficult to be respectful towards each other.
So you keep the car
You can keep the material things in the relationship, because it's not worth fighting over.
And all the passionate letters
The love letters and romantic gestures are not enough to save the relationship.
They won't get you that far
The love letters and romantic gestures are not enough to save the relationship.
And maybe someday
In the future.
Some other time
At a later time when things are different.
We can try this again
We could attempt a relationship again in the future.
Maybe someday these flamin' hearts
Perhaps our passionate and intense feelings towards each other could be reignited in the future.
Will learn how to be friends
But for now, it's best for us to just be friends.
But right now
At this moment in time.
Put up the flag
Let's call a truce.
And lay down your weapon
Let's stop fighting and hurting each other.
Contributed by Leah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.