Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams – Too Much, Too Little, Too Late

In early 1978, Johnny Mathis surprised the music world with a comeback that few saw coming. Pairing his smooth tenor with Deniece Williams’ radiant voice, the two recorded Too Much, Too Little, Too Late, a bittersweet ballad that captured the honesty of a relationship beyond repair. Written by John Vallins and Nat Kipner, the duet played like a conversation — weary, graceful, and heartbreakingly mutual.

Released in February 1978 on Mathis’s You Light Up My Life album, the song was instantly embraced. For Mathis, it was his first Top 10 hit in the U.S. since the early 1960s, a reminder of his staying power across decades. For Williams, coming off her breakout with “Free,” it placed her alongside one of the great male vocalists of the 20th century in a crossover moment.

The live performance of the duet only deepened its impact. On stage, Mathis and Williams blended poise with emotion, their voices intertwining as if in real dialogue. Unlike many chart hits of the late ’70s that leaned toward disco, this was a classic ballad in the tradition of timeless pop, delivered with elegance and conviction.

Commercially, the record was unstoppable. “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” soared to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, R&B, and Adult Contemporary charts, while also becoming a Top 5 hit in the UK and Canada. Certified gold in the U.S., it not only gave Mathis a new chapter in his career but also launched a lasting partnership with Williams, leading to their joint album That’s What Friends Are For later that same year.

Decades later, Too Much, Too Little, Too Late remains a definitive late-’70s duet — heartfelt, unpretentious, and unforgettable in both studio and live form.

Quick Facts & Trivia

• Song: Too Much, Too Little, Too Late
• Artists: Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams
• Release: February 21, 1978
• Album: You Light Up My Life (later also on That’s What Friends Are For)
• Writers: John Vallins, Nat Kipner
• Producers: Jack Gold
• Genre: Pop / R&B ballad
• Length: 2:58
• Chart Peaks:
• US Billboard Hot 100: #1 (1978)
• US R&B/Soul: #1
• US Adult Contemporary: #1
• UK Singles Chart: #3
• Canada: #9
• Sales/Certifications: Gold (U.S.), Silver (U.K.)
• Marked Mathis’s first U.S. Top 10 since 1963.
• The success led to a full duet album, That’s What Friends Are For (1978).
• Covered by artists across R&B and pop, the song remains a popular choice in duet showcases.