Too Late to Say Goodbye (song)

"Too Late to Say Goodbye"
Single by Richard Marx
from the album Repeat Offender
B-side	"Real World"
Released	January 7, 1990
Recorded	1988
Genre	Hard rock heavy metal
Length	4:57
Label	EMI
Composer	Richard Marx
Lyricists	Richard Marx Fee Waybill
Producers	Richard Marx David N. Cole
Richard Marxsingles chronology
"Angelia" (1989) "Too Late to Say Goodbye" (1990) "Children of the Night" (1990)

"Too Late to Say Goodbye" is a song composed by American musician Richard Marx. The lyrics were written by Marx and Fee Waybill, ^[1] who performs background vocals. It was released in 1990 as the fifth single from his second studio album Repeat Offender . "Too Late to Say Goodbye" peaked at No. 12 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Album Rock Tracks chart, and reached No. 47 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

Compared to his other hits, which are mostly pop and soft rock, this song takes a more aggressive, hard-rocking direction, showcasing a heavier sound and increased intensity.^{[ citation needed ]}

Music video

The music video is directed by Jim Yukich, who previously directed the music video for "Right Here Waiting".

Personnel

• Richard Marx – lead vocals, backing vocals
• C. J. Vanston – keyboards
• Michael Landau – electric guitar, guitar solo
• Bruce Gaitsch – acoustic guitar, guitar outro
• Jim Cliff – bass
• Prairie Prince – drums
• Fee Waybill – backing vocals

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1990)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)	99
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [2]	8
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [3]	76
UK Singles (OCC) [4]	38
US Billboard Hot 100 [5]	12
US Mainstream Rock ( Billboard ) [6]	12
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [7]	47
West Germany (GfK) [8]	53

Year-end charts

Chart (1990)	Peak position
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [9]	83

References

1. Benitez-Eves, Tina (June 22, 2022). "20 Songs You Didn't Know Richard Marx Wrote for Other Artists". American Songwriter.
2. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9210." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
3. "Richard Marx – Too Late To Say Goodbye" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
4. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
5. "Richard Marx Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
6. "Richard Marx Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
7. "Richard Marx Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
8. "Offiziellecharts.de – Richard Marx – Too Late to Say Goodbye" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
9. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9139." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 26, 2025.