Released: September 21, 1973

Songwriter: Leon Ware Pam Sawyer

Producer: Norman Whitfield Hal Davis

[Intro]
(Too late)
(Too late)
(Too late)

[Verse 1]
In this automatic age
We shop through the Yellow Page
Gone is the corner store
There's a supermarket there for you (Yeah)
People give way to change
But feelings remain the same

[Chorus]
And it's too late, too late to change the time
Well, it's too late, too late to change the time
And it's too late, too late to change the time
But it's no too late to change your mind

[Verse 2]
It's a new day, a new age
A photograph just taken is ready one minute later
Cars bigger and better
But the manufacturer is satisfied never
In a world full of crime
I can't let you take that ride

[Chorus]
And it's too late, too late to change the time
And it's too late, too late to change the time
And it's too late, too late to change the time
But it's not too late to change your mind, no, no

[Interlude]
So you wanna be a star (So you wanna be a star)
I really think you are (I think you are)
You don't have to go further
Than my lovin' arms

[Chorus]
And it's too late, too late to change the time
But it's not too late to change your mind

[Bridge]
Are you sure you wanna go to New York City (New York City)
Where girls make it big if they're pretty? (If they're pretty)
Let's say you get that penthouse view
But who's gonna love you
The way I do?

[Chorus]
It's too late, too late to change the time
And it's too late, too late to change the time, no
Too late, too late to change the time
But it's not too late to change your mind, yeah, yeah, yeah
It's too late, too late to change the time

The Jackson 5

The Jackson 5 were originally formed in 1963 under the name, The Jackson Brothers. The founding members were Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon. Michael would join the group as the lead singer a year later, a move which pushed Jermaine to sing the backing vocals and play the lead guitar.

After participating in a series of talent shows, they entered the professional music scene in 1967, signing with Steeltown Records and releasing ten singles. In 1969, they left Steeltown Records in order to sign with Motown.

In 1975, most of the Jacksons had opted out of recording any more music for Motown, expressing desires to have creative control over their songs, as well as royalties. Learning that they were earning only 2.8% of royalties from Motown, Joe Jackson, the father and manager of the group, began to negotiate a lucrative contract with Epic records, which offered a royalty rate of 20% per record. The deal was completed in June 1975. As Motown owned the name The Jackson 5, the group simply renamed themselves The Jacksons.