"Too Late for Goodbyes" is the first single (second in the US) from Julian Lennon's debut studio album Valotte (1984). 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 (Charisma JL1) US 7" single (Atlantic 7-89589) UK 12" single (Charisma JL112) US 12" single (Atlantic 0-86899)

Musicians

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications