Carole King -- It's Too Late

 

Welcome to another Reminiscings of Youth article for this week. It's a testament to Carole King's abilities as a composer that I remember her melodies from all the way back in my early childhood even if I couldn't quite remember those lyrics or the titles. 

One such song by hers is "It's Too Late" which was part of a double A-side with "I Feel the Earth Move" when it was released in April 1971. Both songs are also tracks on King's iconic album "Tapestry" which had come out earlier in February that year, and thanks to my friend's recommendation, my copy of the album is sitting on the shelf. 

Now that I've been to able to appreciate music everywhere with a somewhat better sense and lens, I've been treating songs like King's "It's Too Late" as these particularly poignant pop songs of an era far gone by. I can pick up on the different stylings within the song such as AOR and jazz. As well, Toni Stern was responsible for the lyrics depicting one of the calmest and reassuring instances of romantic breakup. That's not to say that there wasn't any hurt but the aftermath seems to be one of acceptance and the observation that both parties tried their best to keep the relationship going.

I've been hearing King all these decades on radio and now through YouTube, but with this video, it's the first time that I have ever seen and heard her in concert although I used to see commercials for the musical that was based on her early career, "Beautiful". It's amazing to realize that I was actually alive as a kindergarten kid when she performed here, especially considering the fashion and the hairstyles back then. Yes, I was wearing the same kind of clothes and sporting the same sort of hairstyle that guitarist Danny Kortchmar was showing above. No, you will never see that photo.😝

In Canada and the United States, "It's Too Late/I Feel the Earth Move" hit No. 2 and No. 1 on their music charts respectively. "It's Too Late" won Record of the Year honours at the Grammys in 1972.

At the Japan Record Awards in 1971, the following three singers earned Best Performance awards.

Hiroshi Itsuki -- Yokohama Tasogare（よこはま・たそがれ）

Tokiko Kato -- Shiretoko Ryojou（知床旅情）

Yuko Nagisa -- Saihate Bojou（さいはて慕情）