Dick Haymes (September 13, 19… Read Full Bio ↴Powerful, milky smooth, rich baritone.
Dick Haymes (September 13, 1918 – March 28, 1980) was one of the most popular American male vocalists of the 1940s and early 1950s.
He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His Irish-born mother, Marguerite Haymes (1894-1987), was a well-known vocal coach and instructor. He became the vocalist in a number of big bands, worked in Hollywood on radio and in many films throughout the forties and fifties.
He never became a United States citizen and avoided military service during World War II by asserting his non-belligerent status as a citizen of Argentina, which was neutral. Years later (1955), this act of his nearly caused his deportation to Argentina on an unrelated technicality in immigration law. During World War II, he was briefly detained at Ellis Island.
Haymes was married six times and had six children. His most famous marriages were to film actresses Joanne Dru (1941-1949) and Rita Hayworth (1953-1955). His daughter Stephanie Haymes was married to Sir Elton John's lyricist Bernie Taupin
He died in Los Angeles from lung cancer, at the age of 61.
How Long Has This Been Going On?
Dick Haymes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was kissed by my sisters, my cousins, and my aunties.
Sad to tell, it was hell, an inferno worse than Dante's.
So my dear I swore,
"Never, never more!"
On my list, I insisted that kissing must be crossed out.
Now, I find I was blind, and oh my!
I could cry salty tears,
Where have I been all these years?
Little wow, tell me now,
How long has this been going on?
There were chills up my spine,
And some thrills I can't define.
Listen, sweet, I repeat,
How long has this been going on?
Oh, I feel that I could melt,
Into Heaven I'm hurled!
I know how Columbus felt,
Finding another world.
Kiss me once, then once more.
What a dunce I was before.
What a break!
For Heaven's sake!
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 true!
Kiss me twice, then once more.
That makes thrice, let's make it four!
What a break!
For Heaven's sake!
How long has this been going on?
How long has this, been going on?
The lyrics of Dick Haymes's How Long Has This Been Going On? tell the story of someone who has been denying themselves the pleasure of kissing due to a traumatic experience in their childhood. They describe being kissed by everyone around them, causing them to swear off kissing entirely. However, as they grow older, they realize what they have been missing out on and how wrong they were to deny themselves this pleasure. The lyrics are full of longing and regret, as the singer wonders how long they have missed out on the joy of kissing.
The first verse sets up the backstory of the singer's childhood trauma, with the lines "As a tot, when I trotted in little velvet panties, I was kissed by my sisters, my cousins, and my aunties. Sad to tell, it was hell, an inferno worse than Dante's." The second verse shows the singer's realization of what they have been missing out on: "Now, I find I was blind, and oh my! How I lost out! I could cry salty tears, Where have I been all these years?" The third verse is perhaps the most vivid, as the singer describes the physical sensations of kissing, saying "There were chills up my spine, And some thrills I can't define. Listen, sweet, I repeat, How long has this been going on?"
Line by Line Meaning
As a tot, when I trotted in little velvet panties,
As a child, when I ran around in my fancy underwear,
I was kissed by my sisters, my cousins, and my aunties.
My female relatives would shower me with kisses.
Sad to tell, it was hell, an inferno worse than Dante's.
Unfortunately, this experience was unpleasant and overwhelming.
So my dear I swore, "Never, never more!"
As a result, I made a vow never to partake in kissing again.
On my list, I insisted that kissing must be crossed out.
I even wrote it down on a list of forbidden actions.
Now, I find I was blind, and oh my! How I lost out!
But now I see that I was wrong, and what a mistake it was!
I could cry salty tears, Where have I been all these years?
I could weep with regret for all the lost time.
Little wow, tell me now, How long has this been going on?
I can't believe how long it took me to realize the error of my ways.
There were chills up my spine, And some thrills I can't define.
Kissing now fills me with excitement and pleasure.
Listen, sweet, I repeat, How long has this been going on?
I can't get over how much I've been missing out on.
Oh, I feel that I could melt, Into Heaven I'm hurled!
The sensation is almost overwhelming, and it feels like heaven.
I know how Columbus felt, Finding another world.
I now understand the thrill of exploration and discovery.
Kiss me once, then once more. What a dunce I was before.
I can't believe how foolish I was to have sworn off kissing.
What a break! For Heaven's sake! How long has this been going on?
What a stroke of good luck that I have finally come to my senses.
Dear, when in your arms I creep, That divine rendezvous,
When I am held in your embrace, it feels truly magical.
Don't wake me, if I'm asleep, Let me dream that it's true!
I never want this moment to end; let me live in this blissful dream.
Kiss me twice, then once more. That makes thrice, let's make it four!
Let's not stop at just three kisses; I want more of this newfound joy.
How long has this been going on? How long has this, been going on?
I can't help but ask again, how much time have I wasted before discovering this incredible feeling?
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM C HANDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Clive Fuller-Hale
This is a great performance and Dick was in fine voice what a treat to see it after all these years…
Great Vocals
This is great! Please post the 1974 MDA appearance Dick Haymes made.
Monica Clark
I never watched too much of the telethons back then. But its nice to hear Dick Hames. I have his movie State Fair. His voice in his younger years were better. But way superior to what the average "singer" sounds like like today.
Thomas Mulligan
You mean “Haymes”, as in “Dick Haymes”?
ScottAW66
Dyck Haimze.