Written for Jim Adamsâ Thursday Inspiration #232
where the theme is âToo Lateâ. Jim has given us free rein
so I have written about a song featuring the âtoo lateâ theme.
![](https://theelephantstrunk.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/13c6f911b96ea6b7160abc5647129611.jpeg?w=657)
The first single from the album Valotte, and Julian Lennon’s most successful, was âToo Late For Goodbyesâ, released in 1984. While Julian has gone on record to affirm that this song was not about his estranged relationship with his father but rather a failing romance with a woman, one cannot help but wonder. Considering a figure resembling John looms largely in the video, the song could carry more meaning despite Julianâs objections.
John and Cynthia Lennon divorced when Julian was just five years old, and for the next nine years Julian rarely saw his dad. When he was 14, Julian reconnected with John and made occasional visits to his home in New York City.
Julian inherited many of his father’s musical gifts, including a knack for songwriting. He wrote “Too Late For Goodbyes” on his own and released the song when he was just 21. It was a Top 10 hit in both the UK and US and helped him earn a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, which he lost to Sade.
The album was produced by Phil Ramone who had managed albums by Paul Simon and Billy Joel. Ramone kept the production tasteful and mature considering he was working with a 21-year-old British kid in 1984. This is one of the more synth-heavy tracks on the album, with prominent guitar and bass.
If thereâs one thing that bothers me about this video itâs the fact that we see Julian âplayingâ harmonica (itâs really just his cupped hands) but the legendary harmonica virtuoso Toots Thielemans was the one who actually played the harmonica part. Picky, maybe, but it just doesnât sit right with me. It would have been nice to see Toots in the corner playing his harmonica; gotta be a reason that didnât happen. The video, which was directed by movie director Sam Peckinpah, did very well on MTV; Peckinpah also directed Julianâs next video which was for his song âValotteâ.
âToo Late For Goodbyesâ was a top-10 hit, reaching #6 in the UK Singles Chart in November 1984, and #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in late March 1985. The song peaked at #1 on March 16, 1985 on the US Adult Contemporary chart, spending two weeks in the top slot.
One final note that is so obvious it cannot be ignored: the Beatlesâ DNA is incredibly dominant as we can see here in Julianâs video, in performances by Dhani Harrison, Sean Lennon, James McCartney and drummers Zak and Jason Starkey, two of Ringo’s sons. All the Beatle Boys bear a striking resemblance to their famous fathers and have been blessed with their very identifiable voices, artistic songwriting abilities and performing talents âŠ. quite a legacy for a little group from Liverpool.
This is âToo Late For Goodbyesâ by Julian Lennon
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I had the pleasure of seeing him perform a few years ago. đđ» Thanks for the share, Nancy.
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How nice! The pleasure is all mine, Michele.
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I loved the song, both music and lyrics. A nice share, Nancy đ
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Thanks for your comments, KK. I have always liked this song, too.
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I bought Julian’s “Valotte” and Sade’s “Diamond Life” the same day and listemed to both constantly. It was real close for Best New Artist. I wish Toots had made an appearance in the video…
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I’m of the same mind, John.
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A perfect song to pair with the Carol King hit, Nancy. I wasn’t sure I knew this song by the title, but once I heard it, I realized that I had listened to this many times. Great post and a lovely choice.
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Thanks so much, Jim. I’ve always like this song by Julian. I’m glad to see you’ve enjoyed it too.
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Maybe the price was too high for Peckinpah to hire Toots Thielemans?
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Oh, I’m sure it’s something like that.
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Has anyone said he looks and sounds a lot like John Lennon lol I hadn’t heard this in eons. I understand your remonstration with the harmonica hands thing. Thanks for rejigging my memory on this one.
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Thanks, Matt. I like this song a lot but I have issues with the video. If Julian wants us to believe the song has nothing to do with his father, why is the image of John so prevalent?
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To sell more?
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