Karla Bonoff (born 27 December 1951) in Santa Monica, California, is an Ame… Read Full Bio ↴Karla Bonoff (born 27 December 1951) in Santa Monica, California, is an American singer-songwriter but primarily known for her great songwriting compositions.

As a songwriter, Bonoff's songs have been interpreted by other artists such as "Home" by Bonnie Raitt, "Tell Me Why" by Wynonna Judd, "Isn't Always Love" by Lynn Anderson. Also Linda Ronstadt has successfully recorded a number of her songs, including, "Someone To Lay Down Beside Me," "Trouble Again," "All My Life," "Falling Star" and "Goodbye My Friend," thus helping to introduce Bonoff to a larger audience.

In her early career, Bonoff sang background vocals for Linda Ronstadt and Wendy Waldman before releasing her debut album in 1977, titled Karla Bonoff (1977). Her other albums include Restless Nights (1979), Wild Heart of the Young (1982), New World (1988), and All My Life (a greatest hits collection) in 1999. Bonoff is best known as a songwriter, but she is also noted for her hit recording of "Personally", which reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1982. She also recorded "Standing Right Next To Me" on the "8 Seconds" movie soundtrack (1994) and "Somebody's Eyes" on the "Footloose" soundtrack (1984).

Karla's first live album was released in September 2007. This double CD includes many of her hits performed live in concert on October 24, 2004 (except for one song recorded July 30, 2005). She is backed by her touring band including Kenny Edwards (guitar, bass, mandolin, cello, vocals) and Nina Gerber (guitar) plus long time associate Scott Babcock (drums and vocals).

She is also a member of the currently inactive group Bryndle, which includes Wendy Waldman and Kenny Edwards. The band has also included Andrew Gold who left the band in 1996. The group had released three albums between 1995 and 2002.

Her songs recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Wynonna Judd, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, she herself hit 19 on the top 100 singing "Personally" written by P. Kelly. A writer from the heart, collaborated with Pete Seger and Frank Hamilton on "The Water is Wide." Although she released just four studio albums in her first 30 years as a recording artist, in 2007 she issued a well-received live album.

How Long
Karla Bonoff Lyrics

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You say you need someone to love
But when will you learn?
Whatever's done in this world
It's still gonna turn

Oh, down comes the night, just another forever
How long?
How long 'till you see that we're in this together?

How long?
How long?

If you weren't so far away
So far from here
I'd make your tears go away
And make you see clear

Oh, you'd see a night when two hearts were surrendered
How long?
I don't want you to be the one I remember
How long?
How long?

Oh, time goes by
In the blink of an eye
It's passed over you
There's no time to hide
Won't you stand by my side?
I'm asking you

Oh, down comes the night, just another forever
How long?
How long 'till you see that we're in this together?

How long?
How long?

Overall Meaning

Karla Bonoff's song "How Long" is a touching plea of a lover to his/her partner. The song begins with the lover telling the partner that he/she needs someone to love but needs to understand that whatever happens in this world, will still go on. It sets the tone for the rest of the song, where the lover basically wants to remind the partner that they are in this together and they must stick by each other through thick and thin.

The chorus carries the message of the song through a repetition of the question "How Long?" which emphasizes the lover's impatience with the situation. The lover wants the partner to realize that they both need each other and need to be with each other in love.

In the second verse, the lover talks about how it would be different if the partner wasn't so far away, how they would be able to make their tears go away and make everything clearer for them. The lover talks about a future they could have together, where they could surrender themselves to each other fully.

In the bridge, the lover talks about how time passes by so quickly and that there's no time to hide from their true feelings or from each other. The lover wants the partner to stand by his/her side and remind them that they are in this together.

Overall, "How Long" is a beautiful song that reminds us of the importance of being there for our loved ones, and how love should be the foundation of any relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

You say you need someone to love
You claim that you require someone to love

But when will you learn?
However, when will you understand?

Whatever's done in this world
Irrespective of what's done in this world

It's still gonna turn
It will still turn out this way

Oh, down comes the night, just another forever
The night falls like an unchanging duration

How long?
For what length of time?

How long 'till you see that we're in this together?
How much longer before you grasp we're part of the same mission?

How long?
For what length of time?

If you weren't so far away
If you weren't so distant

So far from here
Distant from this place

I'd make your tears go away
I'd gotten rid of the tears you've shed