So Long
Gil Evans and His Orchestra Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

'Cause it's been so long
Since I held you tight
When we said good night
It's been so long
Honey, can't you see
What you've done to me?
I've been in a kind of daze
For days and days and days
Feelin' blue, missin' you
In, oh, so many ways
'Cause it was so nice
When we had that date
Every night at eight
It was so nice
Then we said good-bye
What a fool was I




Let me get back in your arms where I belong
'Cause it's been, oh, so long

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "So Long" by Gil Evans and His Orchestra are about missing someone who has been gone for a long time. The singer reminisces about how it used to be when they were together - holding each other tight, saying goodnight, and going on dates every night at 8 pm. The singer realizes that their absence has caused them to feel blue and in a daze for days on end. The singer expresses regret for letting their lover go and asks to come back to their arms where they belong. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and a desire for reconciliation after a long period of separation.


One interesting fact about "So Long" is that it was composed by Irving Melsher, Eddie delange, and Al Stillman and first recorded by Ruth Etting in 1936. Gil Evans arranged the song in 1957 for his album "New Bottle Old Wine," which featured arrangements of jazz standards. Evans was known for his innovative arrangements and collaborations with jazz legends like Miles Davis.


Another interesting fact about "So Long" is that it features a dynamic brass section that sets the tone for the whole song. Evans' arrangement creates a big band sound that complements the singer's emotional delivery. The song has a slow, dreamy quality that captures the melancholy mood of the lyrics.


Additionally, "So Long" was one of Evans' most popular arrangements and has been covered by many artists over the years, including Tony Bennett and Ella Fitzgerald. The song is a timeless jazz standard that continues to be performed and enjoyed by music lovers worldwide.


Overall, "So Long" is a beautiful ballad about lost love, longing, and regret. The lyrics and music express universal emotions that resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds.


Chords (key of C):
Verse: C, Am, Dm, G7
Bridge: F, G7, C, E7, Am, Dm, G7


Line by Line Meaning

Cause it's been so long
It has been a significant amount of time since we were together


Since I held you tight
Since I last embraced you with my arms and felt your warmth


When we said good night
When we parted ways after spending time together


It's been so long
The duration of time has been prolonged since we last were together


Honey, can't you see
My dear, don't you understand


What you've done to me?
You have had a significant impact on my emotional state


I've been in a kind of daze
I have been feeling disoriented and confused


For days and days and days
This feeling has persisted for a long time


Feelin' blue, missin' you
I am experiencing sadness and longing for you


In, oh, so many ways
My sadness and longing manifest in numerous different ways


Cause it was so nice
Our past experiences together were incredibly enjoyable


When we had that date
The specific occasion when we spent time together


Every night at eight
Regularly at the same time each night


It was so nice
Those moments together were incredibly pleasant


Then we said good-bye
We parted ways after our time together


What a fool was I
I now feel regretful for past actions or decisions


Let me get back in your arms where I belong
I desire to be physically close to you once again


Cause it's been, oh, so long
This extended period of time apart has emphasized my desire to be with you again




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WEBB PIERCE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions