Kelly was born in Kingston in 1949. After leaving school, he spent a year studying electronics in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States during 1966, before returning to Jamaica. In 1967, when Slim Smith left The Techniques, Kelly was brought in to replace him, recording for Duke Reid in the rocksteady era when Reid's Treasure Isle studio/label was dominating Jamaican music. Kelly's falsetto voice, strongly influenced by the American soul singers Curtis Mayfield, Smokey Robinson and Sam Cooke in combination with Winston Riley and Bruce Ruffin, maintained the success that The Techniques had enjoyed with Smith. The Techniques first record with Kelly, "You Don't Care", adapted from Curtis Mayfield's "You'll Want Me Back", spent six weeks at number one in the Jamaican singles chart, and was followed by further hits with "Queen Majesty", "My Girl", "Love Is Not a Gamble", "It's You I Love", and "Run Come Celebrate".
In 1968, Kelly went solo, moving from Reid to Bunny Lee, and debuting with another Mayfield cover, "Little Boy Blue". Kelly's "How Long Will It Take" was the biggest-selling Jamaican single of 1969, and was the first Jamaican record to feature a string arrangement, which was overdubbed when it was released in the United Kingdom on the Palmer Brothers' Gas label. An album followed, the Lee "Scratch" Perry-engineered Pat Kelley Sings (sic), and Kelly was offered a £25,000 contract by Apple Records, which he was unable to accept due to existing contractual commitments. Kelly continued to record, having a big hits for producer Phil Pratt in 1972 with "Soulful Love" and "Talk About Love", and returning to record with Duke Reid, having another hit with a cover of John Denver's "Sunshine". He fell back on his earlier training, working as an engineer at Channel One Studios. He also moved into production, producing his own Youth and Youth album in 1978, and co-producing (with Holt) John Holt's The Impressable John Holt (Disco Mix) album in 1979.The late 1970s and early 1980s saw Kelly recording more regularly again, and he continued to record occasionally in the years that followed.
Kelly died on 16 July 2019 from complications of kidney disease.
How Long Will It Take
Pat Kelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watching the trains speed along
Weep, oh, willow weep
Let me hear your song
So that my soul will be filled with joy
My heart and I
It alone knows the hex I bear, so I asked
Tell me, sister, oh, how long
Listen to me
As I try my best not to sigh
I still feel the tears on my face
I'm hated by you, and you're loved by me
Though I can't take it, I try not to break it
My heart and I
It alone knows the hex I bear, so I asked
How long, how long will it takes me to be your man again?
Oh, tell me now, how long
As I try my best not to sigh
I still feel the tears on my face
I'm hated by you and you're loved by me
Though I can't take it, I try not to break it
My heart and I
At first glance, the lyrics of Pat Kelly's "How Long Will It Take" appear to describe a man standing by a train track feeling heartbroken and torn between his own feelings and the person he loves. The opening lines, "Stood along this lonely track/Watching the trains speed along," paint a picture of a desolate scene that reflects the singer's emotional state. He then implores the weeping willow to sing, hoping its song will bring him some happiness and alleviate his pain.
The chorus of the song, "How long, how long will it take me to be your man again?/Tell me, sister, oh, how long," conveys the singer's desire to reconcile with his loved one despite the difficulties they have faced. He acknowledges the obstacles he needs to overcome to make things right again, but his heart is set on winning back the person he lost. The following verse describes his attempts to keep a brave face and hide his tears, even when the pain feels too much to bear. Despite the fact that the person he loves hates him, he continues to try and keep from breaking it off completely.
Overall, the song expresses the universal theme of the pain and difficulty associated with heartbreak and loss. However, the lyrics also convey a sense of hope and determination in the face of these challenges. The song suggests that, no matter how difficult the road ahead may be, the singer is willing to do what it takes to win back the person he loves and find happiness once again.
Line by Line Meaning
Stood along this lonely track
I was standing all alone on a desolate and solitary path
Watching the trains speed along
observing how the trains were zooming past me
Weep, oh, willow weep
I requested the willow tree to shed tears, as it's song would offer me comfort
Let me hear your song
I asked the tree to sing its melody
So that my soul will be filled with joy
hoping the song would alleviate my sadness
My heart and I
referring to my emotions and myself as a single entity
It alone knows the hex I bear, so I asked
since only I am aware of the curse I carry, I proceeded to inquire
How long, how long will it takes me to be your man again?
for how much time do I have to wait until I can be your partner once more?
Tell me, sister, oh, how long
I'm pleading with you, my dear, provide me with the answer I seek
Listen to me
pay attention to what I have to say
As I try my best not to sigh
even though I am struggling not to sigh
I still feel the tears on my face
my face is still wet from the tears I shed
I'm hated by you, and you're loved by me
You don't accept me, but I love you deeply
Though I can't take it, I try not to break it
even though I am near a breaking point, I attempt not to show it
Oh, tell me now, how long
I am pleading once more, please tell me how much longer I have to wait
My heart and I
referring to my sentiments and myself as a single entity again
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gremax2864
Stood along this lonely track
Watching the trains speed along
Weep, oh, willow weep
Let me hear your song
So that my soul will be filled with joy
My heart and I, it alone knows the hex I bear, so I asked
How long, how long will it take me to be your man again?
Tell me, sister, oh, how long
Listen to me as I try my best not to sigh
I still feel the tears on my face
I'm hated by you, and you're loved by me
Though I can't take it, I try not to break it
My heart and I, it alone knows the hex I bear, so I asked
How long, how long will it take me to be your man again?
Oh, tell me now, how long
As I try my best not to sigh
I still feel the tears on my face
I'm hated by you and you're loved by me
Though I can't take it, I try not to break it
My heart and I
@definitelyminnie
This is my grandfather and im still learning of him, his voice was so beautiful! It warms my heart to know his music was recognized and loved by so many!
@jbent344
He is definitely among the greats babe. 🇯🇲
@fitzroyjohnson4464
Thank you for ur feed back.
@doriswhite7565
Love his work AWESOME guy this is one of my all time favorites still fresh 😀 😎 🙌 😊 ❤️
@doriswhite7565
Love me some Pat Kelly
@MrAlistar99
You can bevery proud of him
@leonleiffer1915
PAT KELLY a Jamaican ICON ,his voice was fill with soul and overflowing with passion , he has help to spread Jamaican music culture worldwide, riep Mr KELLY,
THE BLACKSTONES
@julierobinson8173
Haven't heard this choon for years but it still sweet me! 😂😂❤❤
@sharonwalters9458
Rest in peace Pat Kelly. Condolences to his family. You gave us a lot of song's to remember you by and you won't be forgotten. ♥️😚👏🏼
@nittyranks
Rest in Peace Pat. Thanks for your contribution to music.