How Long Has This Been Goin'
Horn Shirley Lyrics
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Where have I been all these years?
Little wow, tell me now
How long has this been goin' on?
There were chills up my spine
And some thrills I can't define
Listen sweet, I repeat
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 goin' on?
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 goin' on?
The lyrics in Shirley Horn's song "How Long Has This Been Goin' On?" suggest the wonder and excitement of unexpectedly finding love. The singer talks about how they've been blind to the possibility of love until now, asking "Where have I been all these years?" The feeling of love is so intense that they believe they could "melt into heaven" and compare the experience to Columbus finding a new world. They urge their lover to kiss them repeatedly, marveling at how much they've been missing out on. The singer ends by suggesting they hope the feeling is true, seemingly unable to believe that they've found love so special and unique.
The lyrics suggest an often-overlooked aspect of love: the surprise of finding it when you least expect it. It can feel like a discovery of something previously unknown, as if you've found a new world. The urge to be kissed repeatedly is a manifestation of this feeling. It's a desire to hold onto the feeling of joy, wonder and excitement that comes with unexpected love.
The repeated question, "How long has this been goin' on?" also suggests a kind of disbelief or coming to terms with this new reality. The singer seems to be astonished that they have been blind to the potential of love for so long, and are questioning how they missed it. Ultimately, the song is about the joy of discovering something new and unexpectedly wonderful, and reveling in the feeling that it brings.
Line by Line Meaning
I could cry salty tears
I am so overwhelmed with emotions that I could burst into tears.
Where have I been all these years?
I can't believe I've been oblivious to this feeling for so long.
Little wow, tell me now
I am so intrigued and curious, please tell me all about it.
How long has this been goin' on?
I am still in disbelief that this feeling exists, how long has it been happening?
There were chills up my spine
I felt an unexpected and overwhelming sensation all over my body.
And some thrills I can't define
I am experiencing something so amazing and new that I cannot put it into words.
Listen sweet, I repeat
I need your attention, and I want to say this again for emphasis.
Oh, I feel that I could melt
I am so overwhelmed with this feeling that I could just dissolve away.
Into heaven I'm hurled
I am experiencing something so euphoric that it feels otherworldly.
I know how Columbus felt
This feeling is so exhilarating that it must be comparable to the excitement Columbus felt discovering a new world.
Kiss me once, then once more
I want to experience this feeling again, please kiss me again.
What a dunce I was before
I feel foolish for not realizing this feeling existed before.
What a break, for heaven's sake
This is such a lucky opportunity, and it's almost unbelievable.
Let me dream that it's true
I want to believe that this feeling is real, and that it will last forever.
Kiss me twice, then once more
I want to feel this amazing sensation again, please kiss me again.
That makes thrice, let's make it four
Three kisses were great, but let's make it four to really experience the feeling again.
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