Introduction
“It’s Too Late to Love Me Now” is a heartfelt country ballad that Dolly Parton included in her 1978 album Heartbreaker. The song delves into themes of regret and missed opportunities in love, showcasing Parton’s emotive vocal delivery.Highway Queens+5Log in or sign up to view+5YouTube+5
Song Origins and Other Versions
The track was first recorded by Charly McClain in 1977, who released it as a single that reached number 87 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. Dolly Parton’s rendition followed in 1978, featuring on her Heartbreaker album. Cher also covered the song in 1979, titling it “It’s Too Late (To Love Me Now)” and releasing it as a single from her album Take Me Home. This version marked Cher’s sole significant release to country radio, peaking at number 87 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, mirroring McClain’s original performance. YouTube+3Wikipedia+3SA Singles Charts+3
Chart Performance in South Africa
In South Africa, Dolly Parton’s “It’s Too Late to Love Me Now” was released as a single, where it achieved notable success. The song debuted at number 20 on the Springbok Radio Top 20 chart on March 23, 1979, and reached its peak position at number 14 on April 20, 1979. It remained on the chart for a total of six weeks, reflecting its popularity in the region. SA Singles Charts
Musical Arrangement
Musically, the song features faint pedal steel guitar alongside lush 1970s-style strings, blending traditional country elements with the pop sounds prevalent during that era. This arrangement positions “It’s Too Late to Love Me Now” as one of the more country-tinged tracks on the Heartbreaker album, which predominantly leaned towards a pop-oriented sound. Highway Queens
For a direct experience of the song, you can listen to Dolly Parton’s rendition below:
Video
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