The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
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
Whoa, 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
Mm, 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, mm, and it's driving me so mad
It's late, yes I know, but don't try to 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, ah
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
Whoa, whoa, come on
Ooh mm, late, too late, oh yeah
Ah
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
Whoa, 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
Mm, 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, mm, and it's driving me so mad
It's late, yes I know, but don't try to 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, ah
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
Whoa, whoa, come on
Ooh mm, late, too late, oh yeah
Ah
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pure rock soap opera.
guilt pangs about having another one night stand. or a lifetime of them...
@lisandom Brian was habitual cheater (and the worst kind because it wasn't casual one night stands but full out second relationships and obsessions) and I think this song gives a perspective on the cheater, which is flipped from the usual perspective of the lover cheated on.