It's Late

Queen

About It's Late

"It's Late" is a song written by Queen guitarist Brian May and performed by the band for their 1977 album News of the World.


Year:
1977
6:26
#3

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You say you love me
And I hardly know your name
And if I say I love you in the candle light
There's no-one but myself to blame
But there's something inside
That's turning my mind away
Woh - how I could love you
If I could let you stay

It's late - and I'm bleeding deep inside
It's late - ooh, is it just my sickly pride?
Too late - even now the feeling seems to steal away
So late - though I'm crying I can't help but hear you say
It's late - It's late - It's late
But not too late

Mmm, yeah
The way you love me
Is the sweetest love around
But after all this time
The more I'm trying
The more I seem to let you down, yes
Now you tell me you're leaving
And I just can't believe it's true
Oh, you know that I can love you
Though I know I can't be true
Oh, you made me love you
Don't tell me that we're through

It's late - mmm, and it's driving me so mad
It's late - yes I know, but don't try and tell me that it's
Too late - save our love you can't turn out the light
So late - I've been wrong but I'll learn to be right
It's late - It's late - It's late
But not too late

Mm, I've been so long
You've been so long
We've been so long tryin' to work it out
I ain't got long
You ain't got long
We've gotta know what this life's all about, ooh
Tell me
Tryin' to work it out, yeah, ooh
Ooh too late, yeah, too late, much too late, aaah

You're staring at me
With suspicion in your eye
You say what game are you playing?
What's this that you're saying?
I know that I can't reply
If I take you tonight
Is it making my life a lie?
Oh you make me wonder
Did I live my life right?

It's late - ooh, but it's time to set me free
It's late - ooh, yes I know, but there's no way it has to be
Too late - so let the fire take our bodies this night
So late - let the waters take our guilt in the tide
It's late - It's late - It's late - It's late
It's late - It's late - It's late
Oh, It's all too late

Woah, woah, c'mon
Ooh m m m m late too late oh yeah
Waaa

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Queen

Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of the late Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), John Deacon (bass guitar), and Roger Taylor (drums, vocals). Queen's earliest works were influenced by progressive rock, but the band gradually ventured into more conventional and radio-friendly works, incorporating more diverse and innovative styles in their music. After the late and great Freddie Mercury died, Queen continued to tour with multiple acts including Paul Rodgers, and currently, Adam Lambert. more »

80 fans

Written by: Brian May

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Genre Classification
"It's Late" is a hard rock song.
Album Details
The song is from Queen's sixth studio album "News of the World," released in 1977.
Song Composition
"It's Late" is written by the band's lead guitarist, Brian May.
Song Length
The album version of the song runs for 6 minutes and 26 seconds, making it one of the longer songs on the album.
Song Structure
The song has a complex structure, with several key changes and a number of different sections.
Track Ranking
"It's Late" is the 3rd track on the album and one of the album's key rock tracks.
Live Performances
Despite not being released as a single in the UK, "It's Late" was frequently performed live by the band.
Single Release
A shorter version was released as a single in the US, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand, but it didn't achieve considerable chart success.
Guitar Work
Brian May's guitar work on "It's Late" is especially admired by fans and critic alike, and the guitar solo is often highlighted as an example of his technical skill.
Inspiration of the Song
Brian May said that he wrote the song using the famous tapping technique a few months before Eddie Van Halen popularized it.
Sound Effects
May made a bell-like sound by tapping the strings of his guitar with a plastic comb.
Music Video
There is no official music video for "It's Late", consistent with most of Queen's songs from this period.
Chorus Composition
The chorus of "It's Late" is renowned for its multi-part harmonies, a signature feature of Queen’s music.
Original Song Concept
Brian May initially conceived "It's Late" as a mini-opera in three distinct parts, each designed to express a different stage of a failing relationship.

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1978

    Billboard #74


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