(2) One of the most accessible of all jazz pianists, Gene Harris' soulful style (influenced by Oscar Peterson and containing the blues-iness of a Junior Mance) was immediately likable and predictably excellent. After playing in an Army band (1951-1954), he formed a trio with bassist Andy Simpkins and drummer Bill Dowdy which was, by 1956, known as the Three Sounds. The group was quite popular, and recorded regularly during 1956-1970 for Blue Note and Verve. Although the personnel changed and the music became more R&B-oriented in the early '70s, Harris retained the Three Sounds name for his later Blue Note sets. He retired to Boise, ID, in 1977, and was largely forgotten when Ray Brown persuaded him to return to the spotlight in the early '80s. Harris worked for a time with the Ray Brown Trio and led his own quartets in the years to follow, recording regularly for Concord and heading the Phillip Morris Superband on a few tours; 1998's Tribute to Count Basie even earned a Grammy nomination. While awaiting a kidney transplant, he died on January 16, 2000, at the age of 66. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi
How Long Has This Been Going On
Gene Harris Lyrics
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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 Gene Harris's song "How Long Has This Been Going On" tell the story of a person who, as a young child, decided to stop kissing after experiencing unwanted attention from family members. However, as they grow older, they realize what they had been missing out on and express their regret for not realizing this earlier. The singer describes the new feelings that they are experiencing and the joy of being kissed by their partner, using powerful imagery that evokes a sense of intense pleasure and passion.
The lyrics describe the experience of someone who has been deprived of a fundamental human need – the need for physical touch and intimacy – and has now discovered its powerful effects. The imagery used in the lyrics paints a vivid picture of the singer's newfound passion, using words like "chills up my spine" and "thrills I can't define" to convey the intensity of their feelings. The song speaks to the universal human experience of wanting and needing love and intimacy, and the regret that comes from not realizing its importance earlier.
Overall, "How Long Has This Been Going On" is a powerful expression of human desire and the discovery of newfound passion. The lyrics are both poignant and passionate, conveying a sense of longing and regret for lost time and the joy of finally discovering the power of love and intimacy.
Line by Line Meaning
As a tot, when I trotted in little velvet panties,
As a child, when I ran around in velvet underwear,
I was kissed by my sisters, my cousins, and my aunties.
My female relatives would kiss me on the cheek often.
Sad to tell, it was hell, an inferno worse than Dante's.
Unfortunately, it was quite unpleasant and unbearable.
So my dear I swore, "Never, never more!"
So I solemnly vowed to never allow it to occur again.
On my list, I insisted that kissing must be crossed out.
I made a note to myself that kissing was no longer acceptable.
Now, I find I was blind, and oh my!
Now I realize how foolish I was.
How I lost out!
I missed out on something great.
I could cry salty tears,
I am so emotional that I could weep tears of salt.
Where have I been all these years?
I wonder where I have been all these years to not have experienced this earlier.
Little wow, tell me now,
I am so amazed, so please tell me.
How long has this been going on?
How long has this amazing experience been happening without me knowing it?
There were chills up my spine,
I was so excited that I felt shivers down my back.
And some thrills I can't define.
There were some sensations that I cannot describe.
Listen, sweet, I repeat,
Please listen to me, my dear, as I say again:
How long has this been going on?
How long has this amazing experience been happening without me knowing it?
Oh, I feel that I could melt,
I am so overwhelmed that I feel like I am melting into a puddle.
Into Heaven I'm hurled!
I feel like I am being thrown into Heaven itself.
I know how Columbus felt,
I now understand how Christopher Columbus felt when he first discovered something new.
Finding another world.
Discovering something new, as if I have found another world.
Kiss me once, then once more.
Please kiss me once, and then twice.
What a dunce I was before.
I now realize how foolish I was in the past.
What a break!
What a great opportunity!
For Heaven's sake!
For goodness' sake!
How long has this been going on?
How long has this amazing experience been happening without me knowing it?
Dear, when in your arms I creep,
My love, when I am snuggled against you,
That divine rendezvous,
Our wonderful meeting,
Don't wake me, if I'm asleep,
Please don't wake me if I am dreaming.
Let me dream that it's true!
Allow me to believe that this amazing experience is real!
Kiss me twice, then once more.
Please kiss me twice, and then one more time.
That makes thrice, let's make it four!
That makes three, let's do it one more time for a total of four kisses!
What a break!
What a great opportunity!
For Heaven's sake!
For goodness' sake!
How long has this been going on?
How long has this amazing experience been happening without me knowing it?
How long has this, been going on?
How long has this amazing experience been happening without me knowing it?
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