<… Read Full Bio ↴Karrin Allyson is a Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist on Concord Records.
Allyson projects an instantly recognizable tonal personality, illuminating hidden layers of emotion within songs that are drawn from a vast well of styles and genres—from the blues, contemporary pop, and the Great American Songbook, to the bossa nova, chanson, and the more specialized jazz and bebop repertoire.
What really separates Allyson from her peers is her ability to communicate oceanic emotions with minimal artifice. “The idea of craft permeates her music,” wrote Richard Cook, author of the Penguin Guide to Jazz Records in a 2004 performance review that admirably encapsulates Allyson’s qualities.
“One of the most appealing things about her singing is its lack of mannerism. There are no dopey melismas, nothing of that afflicted gospel soul feel that a lot of younger singers depend on. She doesn’t try anything foolishly acrobatic. Yet in her way, she’s an ambitious and adventurous performer. She sometimes puts in a scat chorus which is done almost diffidently, without showoff contours. She’ll take over a familiar lyric and make it sound fresh by use of quiet touches—sitting back on certain beats, turning away from a big line and highlighting a different one.”
How Long Has This Been Going On?
Karrin Allyson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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?
Oh, I feel that I could melt
Into heaven I'm hurled
Now 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?
In Karrin Allyson's song "How Long Has This Been Going On?", the singer reminisces about their childhood and how they swore off kissing after a bad experience. However, as an adult, they realize that they were wrong and they have been missing out on the joys of kissing for far too long. The singer asks the person they are addressing how long they have been feeling this way and wonders why they hadn't acted on their feelings sooner. The lyrical journey takes a romantic turn as the singer describes the sensations they feel when they are kissed by their lover -- chills up their spine, undefined thrills, and a feeling of being transported to another world. They plead for more kisses and wants to be lost in the moment without fear of the spell being broken.
The song's lyrics capture the sense of longing, nostalgia, and regret that often comes with realizing we have missed out on something that could have brought us joy. It is also a celebration of the transformative power of love and the realization that when we find the right person, we feel like we have discovered a new world. The lyrics are delivered with Allyson's signature sensual and sultry style, making the song a perfect expression of love and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
As a tot, when I trotted in little velvet panties,
As a child, in my small clothes, I innocently ran around
I was kissed by my sisters, my cousins, and my aunties.
My female family members showed their affection by kissing me
Sad to tell, it was hell, an inferno worse than Dante's.
Unfortunately, it led to a negative experience that felt unbearable
So my dear I swore,
Therefore, I made a pledge, my beloved,
"Never, never more !"
"Never again shall this happen!"
On my list, I insisted that kissing must be crossed out.
I made it clear that kissing was forbidden in my mind
Now, I find I was blind, and oh my!
Now, in hindsight, I realize my mistake, and oh my!
How I lost out!
How much I missed out on!
I could cry salty tears,
I could cry tears of regret,
Where have I been all these years?
Why didn't I realize this earlier?
Little wow, tell me now,
My goodness, please tell me,
How long has this been going on?
How long have I been missing out on this pleasure?
There were chills up my spine,
I felt an inexplicable sensation in my body
And some thrills I can't define.
And a feeling of excitement that is hard to put into words
Listen, sweet, I repeat,
Listen to me, my dear, I say again,
How long has this been going on?
How long have I been missing out on this experience?
Oh, I feel that I could melt,
Oh, I feel so overwhelmed,
Into Heaven I'm hurled!
I feel like I've been transported to paradise!
I know how Columbus felt,
I can relate to how Columbus felt,
Finding another world.
When discovering a new world.
Kiss me once, then once more.
Give me a kiss, and then another one.
What a dunce I was before.
What a foolish person I was earlier.
What a break!
What a stroke of luck!
For Heaven's sake!
For goodness' sake!
How long has this been going on?
How long have I been missing out on this wonderful thing?
Dear, when in your arms I creep,
My love, when I snuggle in your arms,
That divine rendezvous,
That heavenly encounter,
Don't wake me, if I'm asleep,
Please don't wake me up if I'm dreaming,
Let me dream that it's true!
Let me continue dreaming that this is real!
Kiss me twice, then once more.
Give me two kisses, and then another one.
That makes thrice, let's make it four!
That brings the total to three, let's make it four!
How long has this been going on?
How long have I been denied this pleasure?
How long has this, been going on?
How long has this been happening for?
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind