It's Late (Ricky Nelson song)
# It's Late (Ricky Nelson song)

"It's Late" is a song written by Dorsey Burnette, who recorded it on August 28, 1958. However, it was not released and its first appearance was on a compilation album by Imperial Records in 1980. It is better known for its release as a single by Ricky Nelson in February 1959, subsequently reaching number 3 in the UK, number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 30 on the R&B chart that year. The song is featured on the 1959 album Ricky Sings Again.

"It's Late" is ranked number 74 on Billboard magazine's Top 100 songs of 1959.

## Charts

### Weekly charts

| Chart (1959) | Peak position |
| - | - |
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 28 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 3 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 9 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) | 30 |
| US Cash Box Top 100 | 6 |

### Year-end charts

| Chart (1959) | Position |
| - | - |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 74 |

## Shakin' Stevens version

In 1983 Shakin' Stevens recorded the song and released it as a single on the Epic Records label as the first single from his album The Bop Won't Stop. Some of the singles were issued as a novelty-shaped picture disk. It peaked at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart.

### Charts

| Chart (1983) | Peak position |
| - | - |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 36 |
| Denmark (Hitlisten) | 4 |
| Germany (Official German Charts) | 18 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 3 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 11 |
