Bryan White was born February 17, 1974 in Lawton, Oklahoma. In the mid 1990… Read Full Bio ↴Bryan White was born February 17, 1974 in Lawton, Oklahoma. In the mid 1990s, when Bryan was only in his early twenties, he quickly became one of country music's hottest young stars earning number one singles on the Billboard country chart with his songs "Someone Else's Star" and "Rebecca Lynn" from his debut album. "I'm Not Supposed to Love You Anymore" reached fourth, and then he had numbers with "So Much For Pretending" and "Sittin' On Go" from his second album. Although one critic labelled Bryan's first two albums as "surprisingly mature", it was mainly teen fans which helped launch his success. The first issue of Teen Country magazine was devoted solely to him.

How Long
Bryan White Lyrics

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You say you need someone to love
But when will you learn
Whatever's done in this world
Is still gonna turn

[Chorus]
Oh, down comes the night, just another forever
How long

How long 'till you see that we're in this together
How long, how long

If you weren't so far away
So far from here
I'd make your tears go away
And make you see clear

Oh, you'd see a night when two hearts would surrender
How long
I don't want you to be the one I remember
How long, how long

Though time goes by in the blink of an eye
It's passed over you
There's no time to hide, won't you stand by my side
I'm asking you, oh

[Chorus]

You say you need someone to love
But when will you learn

You say you need someone to love

Overall Meaning

The song "How Long" by Bryan White expresses the frustration and sadness one feels when someone they care about does not reciprocate those same feelings. The first verse begins with the other person saying they need someone to love, but the singer questions when they will learn that whatever happens in this world will always come back around. This suggests that the other person may not be ready for a serious relationship, or perhaps they have been hurt before and don't want to open up their heart again.

The chorus describes the feeling of waiting and hoping for the other person to realize that they are meant to be together. The line "just another forever" suggests that it feels like an eternity waiting for them to come around. The second half of the chorus begs the question of how long it will take for them to see that they are in this together. The singer wants to make their tears go away and make them see clearly, painting a picture of a night where two hearts would surrender.

The bridge of the song acknowledges that time is fleeting, and the singer is asking the other person to stand by their side as they both navigate this journey together. In the final verse, the repetition of "you say you need someone to love, but when will you learn" highlights the frustration and sadness of loving someone who may not be ready, or who may never come around.

Overall, "How Long" expresses the pain of unrequited love and the longing for someone who may not feel the same way. It is a heart-wrenching yet relatable song that speaks to the frustrations and uncertainties of relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

You say you need someone to love
The singer addresses someone who claims that they need someone to love, indicating that they are in search of a romantic partner.

But when will you learn Whatever's done in this world Is still gonna turn
The singer questions when the person will realize that everything in this world, including their problems, will eventually pass. He emphasizes that actions have consequences or will result with something even more significant, as the world does not slow down for anyone.

Oh, down comes the night, just another forever How long How long 'till you see that we're in this together How long, how long
The singer is referring to the pain in the world and the inevitability of its problems. He asks how long it will take for the person to recognize that they share the struggles of those surrounding them and that they can overcome the challenges together.

If you weren't so far away So far from here I'd make your tears go away And make you see clear
The singer expresses his willingness to help the person if they were not so distant. He says that he would take away their pain and help them to think clearly again.

Oh, you'd see a night when two hearts would surrender How long I don't want you to be the one I remember How long, how long
The singer claims that if they were together, they would be united and share their hearts. He then goes on to say that he does not want to only remember her in a negative way as he hopes that she will eventually move past her current struggles.

Though time goes by in the blink of an eye It's passed over you There's no time to hide, won't you stand by my side I'm asking you, oh
The singer reflects on the fleeting nature of time and how it seems to be passing by the person very quickly. He tells the person that time is precious and that they have to make the most of it by not hiding from their troubles. He then invites them to stand by his side and confront the challenges together.

You say you need someone to love But when will you learn
The song ends with the repetition of the opening lines, which once again underline the singer's frustration with the person's repeated failure to recognize their need for help and change.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PHIL OCHS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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