Introduction
Alan Jackson’s “So Late So Soon”, featured on his album Where Have You Gone, was released as part of this 21-track collection on May 14, 2021. The album marks Jackson’s return after a six-year hiatus since Angels and Alcohol in 2015. While Jackson penned most songs on the album himself, “So Late So Soon” stands out as one of the few written by collaborators—Scotty Emerick, Daniel Tashian, and Sarah Buxton .
Where Have You Gone reunites Jackson with longtime producer Keith Stegall, and presents a “harder country” sound that harkens back to his roots—complete with steel guitar and fiddle tones, immersive storytelling, and heartfelt simplicity. Though Jackson wrote 15 of the 21 songs, the inclusion of outside songwriters on “So Late So Soon” adds a fresh lyrical dimension to the album’s introspective mood.
As a mid-album track (positioned as number 13), “So Late So Soon” contributes to the rich tapestry of Jackson’s thematic exploration of time, memory, and emotional introspection. The song embodies a mature, reflective tone—consistent with the album’s overarching themes of loss, remembrance, and the enduring spirit of country music.
Video
Lyrics
We drank all the wine
And we burned all the candles to the ground
We danced to every dance they played ’til silence seemed to be the only sound
And I could’ve sworn not long ago
The sun was only starting to go down
But when did all the stars
Fade just like the moon?
And how’d it get so late so soon?
Twilight was just leaving
When the first kiss of the evening got us high
And time stood at a standstill when the whole world just stopped for you and I
And that last kiss you gave me, baby, just lit up the sky
When did that early bird
Start singing his first tune?
How’d it get so late so soon?
Oh, I could’ve sworn not long ago
The sun was only starting to go down
But when did all the stars
Fade just like the moon?
When did that early bird
Start singing his first tune?
And how’d it get so late so soon?