How Long Has This Been Going On
Carmen Mc Rae Lyrics


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'Neath the stars, at bazaars
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?

Overall Meaning

In Carmen McRae's song How Long Has This Been Going On, the lyrics describe a woman who has had to engage in physical relationships with men. She describes these encounters as being as casual and emotionless as a game of chess. However, her lyrics also express deeper emotions, hinting at a longing for a more meaningful connection with someone. The repetition of the line "How long has this been going on?" suggests that she has been living with these conflicting emotions for a long time, possibly indicating a sense of loneliness and dissatisfaction with her current situation.


The lyrics also include a more positive note as the woman experiences a moment of passion with someone. In this moment, she asks to be kissed multiple times, emphasizing a desire for the connection she has been missing. However, the chorus again repeats the question of how long this has been going on, indicating that these moments are few and far between, and her search for true love continues.


Line by Line Meaning

'Neath the stars, at bazaars Often I've had to caress men Don't be sad, I must add, that they meant no more than chess-men
In various settings, such as at bazaars under the night sky, I've found myself comforting men. Don't feel sorry for me, I should note that these men were meaningless to me, no more than pieces in a chess game.


How long has this been? How long has this been going on?
I'm wondering how long this has been happening, how long I've been living like this and dealing with meaningless encounters.


I could cry Salty tears Going on How long has this been? How long has this been going on?
I could break down and cry, crying tears full of salt that indicate how long this has been going on, how long I've been leading this lifestyle.


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
When I'm in your embrace, it feels like a heavenly meeting. Let's share kisses once, twice, then again that makes three, and let's make it a fourth one.


How long has this been? How long has this been going on? Going on
I'm still pondering how long this has been happening, how long I've been living this way with meaningless encounters, and it's been continuing to the present moment.


How long has this been going on? Going on How long has this been? How long has this been?
I can't stop thinking about how long this has been going on, how long it's been since I've had a genuine connection, a true romantic partnership. How long has this lifestyle been my reality?




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: IRA GERSHWIN, GEORGE GERSHWIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@gavinkerslake

'Neath the stars, at bazaars
Often I've had to caress men
Five or ten, dollars then, I'd collect from all those yes-menDon't be sad, I must add, that they meant no more than chess-men
Darling, can't you see?
'Twas for charity?
Though these lips have made slips, it was never really serious
Who'd have thought, I'd be caught in a state that's so delirious?I could cry
Salty tears
Where have i been all these years
Listen you, tell me do
How long has this been going on?What a kick
How I buzz
Boy, you click like no one does
Listen sweet, i repeat
How long has this been going on?Dear, when in your arms I creep
That divine rendezvous
Don’t wake me if i’m asleep
Let me dream that it’s trueKiss me once, kiss me twice
Then once more, that makes thrice
Come on lets make it four
What a break, for heaven’s sake
How long has this been going on?What a break, for heaven’s sake
How long has this been going on?



All comments from YouTube:

@abbyconstable5948

Carmen ! What an underrated beautiful jazz vocalist!

@thendrjazz

I had forgotten how good the verse to this tune is. Fine version.

@efanshel

Just awesome...She was really as good as any one...

@sucole835

Wonderful, amazing..💞💞💞

@cdbtoo

Love this! And the Verve Remixed version is excellent, too.

@julianguffogg

and the two are so different!

@TJSol

One of my favorites!

@anncarr4035

good girl! shows you are one of the gifted ones. the inimitable Mr Sid McCoy introduced all Chicago to Madame McCrae on his all-night jazz radio program n the '50's-'60's. She was soooooo classy. Hearing her art went a long way to getting black and white to tolerate, and then appreciate each other.
I hope God allows you to enjoy this formally years to come

@TJSol

@@anncarr4035 Thank you...😊

@julianguffogg

Amazing!

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