Amy Grant - It's Too Late Lyrics
Lyrics
Stayed in bed all morning just to pass the time
There's something wrong here, there can be no denying
One of us is changing, or maybe we've stopped trying
And it's too late, baby, now it's too late
Though we really did try to make it
Something inside has died and I can't hide
And I just can't fake it
It used to be so easy living here with you
You where light and breezy and I knew just what to do
Now you look so unhappy, and I feel like a fool
And it's too late, baby, now it's too late
Though we really did try to make it
Something inside has died and I can't hide
And I just can't fake it
There'll be good times again for me and you
But we just can't stay together, don't you feel it too
Still I'm glad for what we had, and how I once loved you
But it's too late, baby, it's too late
Though we really did try to make it
Something inside has died and I can't hide
And I just can't fake it
Video
Carole King - It's Too Late (BBC In Concert, February 10, 1971)
Meaning & Inspiration
The 2021 release of Carole King's "It's Too Late" from her BBC In Concert performance on February 10, 1971, offers a powerful, raw rendition of a song that has resonated deeply with generations. While the song itself, penned by King and Toni Stern, isn't explicitly Christian, its exploration of the end of a relationship and the struggle for acceptance holds profound spiritual parallels, inviting reflection through a scriptural lens. The narrative unfolds with a sense of weary resignation, beginning with the quiet acknowledgment of a fundamental shift, "Stayed in bed all morning just to pass the time," a sentiment that speaks to the inertia often accompanying emotional distance. This initial realization that "One of us is changing, or maybe we've stopped trying" directly echoes the wisdom found in Ecclesiastes 3:6, which states there is "a time to lose and a time to gain; a time to keep and a time to throw away." The core of the song, its unforgettable chorus, "And it's too late, baby, now it's too late," is a stark admission of a point of no return, a surrender to the inevitable. This feeling of finality, while painful, can also be seen as an invitation to embrace truth, much like Jesus taught in John 8:32, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." The lyrics acknowledge the effort invested, "Though we really did try to make it," recognizing the struggle and commitment that once existed. However, the poignant declaration, "Something inside has died and I can't hide / And I just can't fake it," speaks to a truth that cannot be manufactured or sustained against internal decay. This resonates with the biblical concept of true faith being more than outward show; as Mark 7:6-7 quotes Isaiah, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." The song continues by contrasting past ease with present difficulty, "It used to be so easy living here with you," highlighting the loss of connection and understanding. The line "Now you look so unhappy, and I feel like a fool" reflects the pain of witnessing a partner's suffering and the self-awareness that comes from contributing to it, a sentiment that might call to mind Proverbs 14:10, "Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy." The bridge offers a glimmer of hope, acknowledging that "There'll be good times again for me and you," but firmly stating the necessity of separation: "But we just can't stay together, don't you feel it too." This forward-looking perspective, while tinged with sadness for what was, aligns with the scriptural encouragement to move forward in wisdom and peace, even after difficult endings. The final affirmation, "Still I'm glad for what we had, and how I once loved you," speaks to the enduring value of shared experiences and genuine affection, a recognition of the good that can be salvaged from even fractured relationships, much like the parable of the sower where even the seeds that fell on good soil produced a bountiful harvest, demonstrating that valuable growth can still occur. Ultimately, "It's Too Late" is a testament to the difficult but often necessary process of acknowledging reality and finding peace in acceptance, a journey that, when viewed through a spiritual lens, can lead to profound personal growth and a deeper understanding of God's enduring grace.