About The Song
The air hangs heavy with the scent of honeysuckle, fireflies dance in the twilight, and time seems to stretch endlessly before us. But as we get older, those long summer evenings can feel fleeting, like grains of sand slipping through our fingers. This sentiment is captured beautifully in Alan Jackson’s recent song, “So Late So Soon”.
Released in 2021 on his album “Where Have You Gone”, the song takes us on a nostalgic journey through a perfect summer night, a night that seems to vanish all too quickly. Jackson’s smooth vocals paint a picture of stolen kisses under a starlit sky, slow dancing to the last song, and the feeling of being completely lost in the moment.
The lyrics open with a sense of comfortable familiarity, describing a night spent with a loved one, enjoying simple pleasures. Lines like “We drank all the wine / And we burned all the candles to the ground” evoke a sense of carefree abandon, a willingness to savor the moment without a care for the time. The imagery of burning candles to the ground suggests a complete immersion in the experience, pushing everything else aside.
As the song progresses, “So Late So Soon” takes a subtle turn. Jackson reflects on the passage of time, wondering “When did all the stars / Fade just like the moon?” The slow burn of the candles and the fading light symbolize the night drawing to a close, a stark contrast to the earlier feeling of endless time. “And how’d it get so late so soon?” This question, repeated throughout the song, becomes a poignant refrain, capturing the bittersweet realization that perfect moments can be fleeting.
“So Late So Soon” isn’t just about a single summer night, though. It’s a reflection on the way life itself can feel like it’s slipping away. The song resonates with those of us who have lived a few years and can look back on cherished memories, wondering where the time went. Jackson’s smooth vocals and the gentle country instrumentation create a sense of comfortable nostalgia, a feeling of looking back on a simpler time with a touch of longing.
But “So Late So Soon” isn’t a sad song. It’s a celebration of life’s precious moments, a reminder to cherish the time we have with loved ones. The final line, “That last kiss you gave me, baby, just lit up the sky.” leaves us with a warm feeling, a reminder that even though time may fly, the love and joy we share can leave a lasting impression.