The Meaning Behind “Never Too Late” by Elton John and Brandi Carlile

Elton John’s Never Too Late documentary marks a music legend’s farewell to his fans.

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Looking back on his life and extraordinary 50-year career, John remembers his early days as a struggling musician who overcame both personal and professional obstacles.

Teaming with Brandi Carlile, the duo wrote the title track to John’s retrospective film. And the Oscar-nominated song connects Carlile with one of her musical heroes.

Though it closes John’s touring chapter, it’s not exactly “goodbye.”

A New Beginning

John described his session with Carlile, producer Andrew Watt, and longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin as “a new beginning.”

“Never Too Late” began with Carlile, but it wouldn’t have happened without John’s endless grit and determination.

The opening verse describes John’s swagger—You’re an Iron Man, baby. Also, the “Heaven’s gate” line originally read, “F–k off, Heaven’s gate.” But John said “f–k off” wouldn’t work over the ending credits of a movie.

It’s never too late for a wide-open slate
A kiss from a stranger, a thousand first dates
You’re an Iron Man, baby
To hell with Heaven’s gate
It’s not a moment too soon if it’s never too, never too late

Carlile joins her hero in the following verse. The combination of her clean voice against his—low and raspy—creates a full-circle revolution in their dynamic. His music changed her life forever. Now, Carlile’s lively optimism guides him into new experiences. It feels like both his past and future selves.

She’s using metaphor to defy the gravity of age and aims for the spark of curiosity. Be ready for the next instant, minute, year. It’s only too late if you quit.

Oh, it’s never too late to go shoot out the moon
We’ll go dancing in graveyards, you can keep your balloons
Be a runaway bride
Trading gypsies for grooms
If it’s never too late for a moment too soon

Writing With an Icon

Inspired by an early cut of the film, Carlile began writing. She wrote about John’s perseverance and how he refused to give up.

She told Variety, “It was wild setting a lyric down in front of Elton John for the first time that I had written and watch him write it. It was absolutely surreal.”

Speaking about Taupin’s influence, she said, “I wouldn’t have had access to words like that without Bernie Taupin. There’s just no way. And it’s soulfully the right thing, based on this story, based on this film, based on the man and the men. Elton is a wildly individual and spectacular comet of a person, but he’s a sum of his parts, (which are) musically Elton John and Bernie Taupin—that’s one thing.”

Meanwhile, John called Taupin a “surrogate non-writer” on the track who “approved and loved the lyric.”

The Next Chapter

The original title of the documentary was Farewell Yellow Brick Road, the name of John’s final tour. But Carlile’s song gave the film a new title.

John found the old one boring. He said “Never Too Late” made for a better title because he’s moving forward and trying new things. He’s not saying “so long” forever.

He’s doing what he’s always done. Carrying on.

Photo by Francis Specker/CBS via Getty Images