Too Late for Goodbyes

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some cool vibes as we spin Too Late for Goodbyes by Julian Lennon from the album Birthday 21, Vol.2 here at THE ZOO! This track, a standout from Julian’s 1984 debut album Valotte, was written entirely by Julian when he was just 21, showcasing his knack for songwriting inherited from his legendary father, John Lennon. He crafted the song in his Kensington, London apartment, using an old reel-to-reel Fostex recorder and a keyboard, capturing a raw, emotional moment in his living room after a six-flight walk-up. Julian has shared that the song was inspired by a romantic relationship gone sour, not his complex relationship with his father, despite what many fans speculated. He told Songfacts, “Initially, it was about a girl, a relationship. Then it was a few other friends in the room, and I was bouncing ideas back and forth,” which led to the iconic phrase that stuck.

The music video for Too Late for Goodbyes, directed by the legendary Sam Peckinpah, known for gritty films like The Wild Bunch, added a layer of intrigue. It features Julian performing with his band while a silhouette, often interpreted as resembling John Lennon, dances in a dimly lit doorway. Julian reflected on the video’s impact, noting in a 2018 post on X, “First behind the scenes look at the making of the 'Too Late for Goodbyes' Video, directed by Sam Peckinpah... Such fond memories...” The song’s harmonica, played by jazz legend Jean “Toots” Thielemans, gives it a distinctive, soulful edge, blending a galloping reggae backbeat with Muscle Shoals guitar work. It soared to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart for two weeks in March 1985, as Julian celebrated in a March 2025 X post, marking the song’s 40th anniversary and Valotte going platinum.

Another fun tidbit: the song’s success was boosted by the early days of MTV, which Julian credited for its massive reach. In a 2014 Songfacts interview, he said, “The early days of MTV certainly had a tremendous effect on most everybody at that point in time because that’s when I felt the industry was a bit more exciting.” The video’s frequent airplay helped make it Julian’s most successful song to date, earning him a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 1986, though he lost to Sade. Fans on Reddit have shared their love for the track, with one recalling it as their first concert experience, watching Julian dance across the stage at Red Rocks, even covering Paul McCartney’s I Saw Her Standing There.

Now, let’s dive into how Julian Lennon got his start. Born John Charles Julian Lennon on April 8, 1963, in Liverpool, England, to John Lennon and Cynthia Powell, Julian grew up in the shadow of The Beatles. Named after his paternal grandmother Julia, he inspired three Beatles songs: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Hey Jude, and Good Night. His parents’ divorce when he was five left him distant from his father, but music became his outlet. Julian didn’t seriously pursue music until his teens, when his mother bought him an upright Steinway piano for his 16th birthday. He taught himself to play by ear, writing long instrumental pieces inspired by jazz pianist Keith Jarrett, as he shared in a 2024 The Line of Best Fit interview. By 1984, he released Valotte, produced by Phil Ramone, which launched him into the spotlight with hits like Too Late for Goodbyes and the title track.

Beyond music, Julian’s a multifaceted artist, diving into photography, philanthropy, and filmmaking. He founded The White Feather Foundation in 2007 to support environmental and humanitarian causes and has produced documentaries like Whaledreamers and Kiss the Ground. His photography book, Life’s Fragile Moments, and exhibitions showcase his creative range. Connect with Julian on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can join the Julian Lennon Fan Club on Facebook or check out Julian Lennon Fanzine for community-driven content. Keep groovin’, Zoo Freaks, and let’s keep the hippie vibes alive!