McRae was born in Harlem, New York, on the 8th April 1920, and studied piano as a child. As a teenager she came to the attention of Teddy Wilson and his wife, the composer Irene Kitchings Wilson. Through their influence, one of McRae’s early songs, "Dream of Life", was recorded by Wilson’s longtime collaborator Billie Holiday.
By the late 1940s she was well known among the modern jazz musicians who gathered at Minton's Playhouse, Harlem’s most famous jazz club, where she was the intermission pianist. But it was while working in Brooklyn that she came to the attention of Decca’s Milt Gabler. Her five year association with Decca yielded twelve LPs.
The musicians she sang with include Benny Carter, Mercer Ellington, Count Basie, Sammy Davis Jr, Dave Brubeck, and Louis Armstrong. She was married once (and briefly), to drummer Kenny Clarke.
McRae died on the 10th November 1994.
How Long Has This Been Going On
Carmen McRae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Often I've had to caress men
Don't be sad, I must add, that they meant no more than chess-men
How long has this been?
How long has this been going on?
I could cry
Salty tears
Going on
How long has this been?
How long has this been going on?
Dear, when in your arms I creep
That divine rendezvous
Kiss me once, kiss me twice
Then once more, that makes thrice
Come on let's make it four
How long has this been?
How long has this been going on?
Going on
How long has this been going on?
Going on
How long has this been?
How long has this been?
In the song How Long Has This Been Going On, Carmen McRae sings about a love affair that has been going on for quite some time. The first verse talks about how she is often forced to caress men in bazaars, but that these encounters mean no more to her than a game of chess. This highlights the fact that her life is full of meaningless encounters, and she is still searching for someone who can fill the void in her life. The chorus, "How long has this been going on?" is repeated multiple times, emphasizing her frustration and desperation to find real love.
The second verse delves deeper into her feelings of despair, as she sings about crying salty tears. This suggests that she has been hurt in the past and is desperate to find a meaningful relationship. The third verse talks about her desire to be cuddled in her lover's arms and experience a divine rendezvous. She emphasizes her desire for physical connection and intimacy by asking to be kissed multiple times. The repetition of the chorus highlights her continued confusion and uncertainty about the love she has found.
Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the difficulties of finding real love and the frustration and pain that can come with it. By emphasizing the repetition of the chorus and the emotional lyrics, McRae underscores the feelings of confusion and desperation that many people experience in their search for meaningful relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
'Neath the stars, at bazaars
I've been in romantic settings, under the stars and at markets
Often I've had to caress men
It's common for me to affectionately touch men
Don't be sad, I must add, that they meant no more than chess-men
But those physical interactions didn't hold any emotional significance, as they were just like moving pieces in a game
How long has this been?
I wonder how long this has been happening
How long has this been going on?
How long have I been engaging in these meaningless romantic interactions?
I could cry
I feel like I could cry
Salty tears
Tears filled with salt
Going on
Continuing
How long has this been?
I want to know the duration of this ongoing situation
How long has this been going on?
How long have I been feeling this way?
Dear, when in your arms I creep
Sweetheart, when I'm cuddled up in your embrace
That divine rendezvous
That passionate meeting
Kiss me once, kiss me twice
Give me kisses twice in a row
Then once more, that makes thrice
And one more kiss to make it three times
Come on let's make it four
Let's make it four kisses
How long has this been?
I long to know how long this has been happening
How long has this been going on?
How long have I been craving true romance?
Going on
Continuing
How long has this been going on?
I can't help but wonder how much longer this will last
Going on
Continuous
How long has this been?
I can't help but constantly ask myself how long this has been happening
How long has this been?
How long will it take for me to find true love?
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind