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

“Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” – Single by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams from the album You Light Up My Life
B-side “Emotion”
Released February 21, 1978
Label Columbia
Songwriters John Vallins, Nat Kipner
Producer Jack Gold
Charted No.1 in US; No.3 in UK; No.9 in Canada; No.6 in Australia; No.2 in Ireland

Singing legend Johnny Mathis struck gold when he teamed up with R&B songbird Deniece Williams for the 1978 chart-topper “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late.” The song is about a couple who finally realize that there’s no spark left in their relationship and decide to part ways. Mathis and Williams’ voices complement one another nicely on this bittersweet breakup ballad. The duet was born out of Mathis’ desire to take his music in a new direction. As a result, Mathis’ producer, Jack Gold, and CBS Records’ A&R exec, Mike Dilbeck, enlisted fellow CBS recording artist Williams to record a duet with the velvet-voiced crooner.

The song was penned by songwriters Nat Kipner and John Vallins. Their demo of the ballad first caught the attention of UK label Polydor Records, and they had one of their signees, an English Pop duo, record a version of the song. Then Kipner’s son, songwriter Steve Kipner, recommended that the song be placed with an American music publisher. Shortly thereafter, Mathis showed an interest in recording the song, and the Pop duo’s version was never released.

The late Nat Kipner was a songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur. As a producer and A&R manager for Australian record label Spin Records, he produced and co-wrote several tracks for The Bee Gees in the 1960s and played a pivotal role in the band’s early success.
The recording sessions for “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” took place at A&M Studios in Los Angeles. Those present at the sessions included legendary arranger Gene Page; keyboardists Michael Rubini and Sylvester Rivers; guitarists David T. Walker and Melvin “Wah-Wah Watson” Ragin; drummer Ed Greene; and bassist Scott Edwards.

“Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” was certified gold and silver in the United States and the United Kingdom by the RIAA and the British Phonographic Industry respectively.