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It's Late
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = It's Late
| cover = Itslatecover.jpg
| alt =
| border = yes
| caption = Artwork for US release
| type = single
| artist = Queen
| album = News of the World
| B-side = Sheer Heart Attack
| released =
| recorded = 1977
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = (album version)
* (single version)
| label = Elektra
| writer = Brian May
| producer =
| prev_title = Spread Your Wings
| prev_year = 1978
| next_title = Bicycle Race
| next_title2 = Fat Bottomed Girls
| next_year = 1978
| misc =
}}
"'It's Late'" is a song written by Queen guitarist Brian May and performed by the band for their 1977 album, 'News of the World'.
Background
The song was May's idea of treating a song as a three-act theatrical play, and the verses are called "acts" in the lyrics sheet. It makes use of the tapping technique a few months before Eddie Van Halen's use of the tapping technique on the 'Van Halen' album. May told 'Guitar Player Magazine' that his use of the tapping technique was inspired by Texas guitarist Rocky Athas, after seeing one of his performances at Mother Blues, a Dallas club.
The lyrics describe a love affair that is on the verge of ending.
According to 'Billboard Magazine', the music of the single version "shifts gear from subdued balladry to thunderous rock'n'roll." 'Cash Box' said that "Brian May's guitar work excellently [complements] Freddie Mercurys embracing vocals."
Release
The song was released as a single in the US in 1978, albeit in heavily edited form, and peaked at #74 on the U.S. 'Billboard' Hot 100'Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-2002' and #66 on the 'Cash Box' Top 100. The song was later included on the 'Queen Rocks' compilation in 1997.
Personnel
*Freddie Mercury - lead and backing vocals
*Brian May - electric guitar, backing vocals
*Roger Taylor - drums, backing vocals
*John Deacon - bass guitar
References
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