Too Late for Goodbyes


"Too Late for Goodbyes" is the first single from Julian Lennon's debut studio album Valotte. It featured the harmonica of Jean "Toots" Thielemans, and it was a top-10 hit, reaching No. 6 in the UK Singles Chart in November 1984, and No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in late March 1985. B-side "Big Mama" has been described by Lennon as "semi-hard rock".
Cash Box said that "a galloping reggae backbeat and some exquisite Muscle Shoals guitar work back up Lennon's spare lyric phrasing and lend the song a strong ride."
"Too Late for Goodbyes" peaked at #1 on 16 March 1985 at the US Adult Contemporary chart, spending two weeks at the top of this chart. The music video for the song was directed by Sam Peckinpah, and produced by Martin Lewis. To date, it is the most successful song of Lennon's career.

Track listing

UK 7" single
  1. "Too Late for Goodbyes" – 3:30
  2. "Well I Don't Know" – 4:35
US 7" single
  1. "Too Late for Goodbyes" – 3:30
  2. "Let Me Be" – 2:12
UK 12" single
  1. "Too Late for Goodbyes" – 3:30
  2. "Big Mama" – 3:16
  3. "Well I Don't Know" – 4:35
US 12" single
  1. "Too Late for Goodbyes " – 5:55
  2. "Too Late for Goodbyes" – 3:30
  3. "Let Me Be" – 2:12

Musicians

Video

The video clip was directed by Sam Peckinpah. The choreography and dance were by Moses Pendleton.

Charts and certifications

Year-end charts

Chart Rank
UK Singles 77

Chart Rank
Canada RPM Top Singles67
US Billboard Hot 10077
US Cash Box70