Too Late To Turn Back Now – Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#2) & R&B (#5); 1972
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose consisted of brothers Edward and Carter, and – of course – their sister, Rose. Although the family trio hailed from Dania, Florida, their brand of R&B/pop music was more similar to the mid-60’s sweet soul of Chicago and Philadelphia, than the deeper R&B of the South.
In 1970, they released Treat Her Like A Lady to underwhelming response, only to watch it soar to #3 on the Top 40 the following year. Its lukewarm reception at R&B (it peaked at #20) set a pattern for future CB&SR releases.
Still, chief songwriter Eddie wasn’t about to argue with success and returned with an even smoother song – Too Late To Turn Back Now – that breezed through the summer of 1972.
Despite two consecutive gold singles, their fortunes began to slip with sound-alike Don’t Ever Be Lonely (A Poor Little Fool Like Me, which stalled in the 20’s on both charts. After several more so-so singles, the family packed it in 1976.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Bob Archibald
Lyrics Written by:
- Eddie Cornelius
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).