Been so long
BAKER Anita Lyrics
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I won't be denied
The pleasure of your kisses
The pleasure of your smile
I think you take for granted
I'll always be here
Just because I love you
Been so long, of missin' you, baby
Been so long, of missin' you, baby
Thoughts and mellow memories
Of once upon a time
Slowly creepin' on me
And they linger on my mind
Just let somebody love you
I just don't know why
Whenever I get close to you
You wanna run and hide
Been so long, of missin' you, baby
It's been so long, of missin' you, baby
It's been so long, of missin' you, baby
It's been so long, of missin' you, baby
We began lovers' dance
The road was smooth to romance
And we sang love's sweet songs every day
I believe that love would stay in my heart
Now it's torn all apart
It's gone away, I can't stay, I've got to say
I don't believe that you could do me this way
Now don't you understand
I'm in need of comfort
The comfort of your hand in mine
And what I feel inside
Why don't you come closer?
I, I can't hide (been so long)
(Been so long) can't hide
(Been so long)
(Been so long) it's too long, won't you come on, baby
(Been so long) won't you come home, see about me
Oh, see about me
(Been so long)
Come on, see about me
'Cause I, I keep tellin' you (been so long)
I can't do, I can't do without you
Without you, oh, now don't ask me to
To do without you, love, you love (been so long)
'Cause I won't do it
You can't make me do it
My baby, sweet baby
Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet baby
Anita Baker's song "Been So Long" is about the singer's desire to be connected to someone they love, but feeling neglected and denied of that connection. The first two lines of the song express the singer's resolve to no longer tolerate the neglect and denial from the person they love. They demand the pleasure of their kisses and the pleasure of their smile. The singer believes that the person they love takes their presence for granted and assumes that they will always be there. However, the singer warns them that just because they are close now, it does not mean that they will always be there.
In the chorus, the singer repeats that they have been missing their lover for too long. They have thoughts and memories of their past together that creep and linger in their mind. They implore their lover to let someone love them and can't understand why they always run and hide when they try to get closer.
The last verse talks about how the singer and their lover began their romance with sweet songs and the hope that their love would stay in their heart. However, it is now torn apart and the singer can't stay in the relationship any longer. They ask their lover to come home and comfort them because they can't hide their emotions any longer.
Line by Line Meaning
I won't be neglected
I refuse to be ignored or overlooked
I won't be denied
I won't accept rejection or refusal
The pleasure of your kisses
I crave the delightful sensation of your kisses on my lips
The pleasure of your smile
The sight of your smile brings immense joy to my heart
I think you take for granted
I believe you don't fully appreciate
I'll always be here
I will stay around for you
Just because I'm near you
My closeness to you does not mean I'll stick around forever
It doesn't mean I won't disappear
I could still leave unexpectedly
Been so long . . . of missin' you, baby
It's been a while since I longed for your love and affection, dear
Thoughts and mellow memories
Reflections of old pleasant times gone by
Of once upon a time
A period in the past that has long been gone
Slowly creepin' on me
Gradually building up inside of me
And they linger on my mind
They continue to occupy my thoughts
Just let somebody love you
Allow someone to adore and cherish you
I just don't know why
I can't explain why you push others away
Whenever I get close to you
Each time I draw near to you
You want to run and hide
You tend to shy away or escape
We began lovers' dance
Our romance started on a happy note
The road was smooth to romance
Our path to love was straightforward and easy
And we sang love sweet song every day
We shared sweet, affectionate moments every day
I believe that love would stay in my heart
I was convinced that love would reside in my heart forever
Now it's torn all apart
Now, it's all broken and shattered
It's gone away, I can't stay, I've got to say
The love has vanished, and I have to admit it
I don't believe that you could do me this way
I can't imagine you could have treated me this way
Now don't you understand
Can't you see or comprehend
I'm in need of comfort
I'm yearning for consolation or solace
The comfort of your hand in mine
The soothing effect of your hand clasping mine
And what I feel inside
The emotions churning within me
Why don't you come closer
Why don't you draw near or approach me
I can't hide
I can't conceal or suppress my feelings anymore
Been so long . . . can't hide
It's been too long, and I can't hide my emotions any longer
It's been so long . . . won't you come on, baby
It's been an extended period, honey, won't you come to me
Been so long . . . won't you come home, see about me
It's been a while, dear, come back home and care for me
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Anita Baker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind