How Long
Players Lyrics
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How long has this been going on?
Well, if friends with their fancy persuasion
Don't admit that it's part of a scheme
Then I can't help but have my suspicions
'Cause I ain't quite as dumb as I seem
And you said you was never intending
To break up our scene in this way
It could happen to us any day
How long has this been going on?
How long has this been going on?
Oh, your friends with their fancy persuasion
Don't admit that it's part of a scheme
But I can't help but have my suspicions
'Cause I ain't quite as dumb as I seem
Oh, you said you was never intending
To break up our scene in this way
But there ain't any use in pretending
It could happen to us any day
And how long has this been going on?
How long has this been going on?
How long?
How long has this been going on?
How long has this been going on?
How long has this been going on?
How long?
How long has this been going on?
The song "How Long" by Players is a classic rock tune that explores themes of suspicion and betrayal in a relationship. The repeated question "How long has this been going on?" is a desperate plea for answers about the true intentions of the person the singer is addressing. The opening lines suggest that the singer has been made aware of some kind of plot, but the details are vague. They speak of friends with "fancy persuasion" who deny any wrongdoing, but the singer cannot help but have a sense of unease. The repeated line "I ain't quite as dumb as I seem" suggests that the singer is aware of something that others may not be.
As the song progresses, the singer's suspicions are not assuaged. In fact, they become more worried as their partner denies any intention of breaking up their relationship in the way that seems to have been hinted at. There is a sense of resignation in the lyrics, as if the singer knows that no matter how hard they try, the truth will eventually come out. The final repetition of the question "How long has this been going on?" is a final plea for honesty and transparency in the face of mounting evidence to the contrary.
Overall, "How Long" is a powerful and emotional song that explores the pain and confusion that can come with suspicion in a relationship. It is a classic example of the kind of rock ballad that has resonated with audiences for decades.
Line by Line Meaning
How long has this been going on?
The singer is questioning how long the current situation has been happening.
Well, if friends with their fancy persuasion
Don't admit that it's part of a scheme
The singer suspects that their partner's friends are secretly behind the current situation and are not being truthful about their involvement.
Then I can't help but have my suspicions
'Cause I ain't quite as dumb as I seem
The singer is not gullible and knows when something is amiss, which is why they have their doubts about the situation.
And you said you was never intending
To break up our scene in this way
The artist's partner had claimed that they did not plan for the situation to happen and break up their relationship.
But there ain't any use in pretending
It could happen to us any day
Despite the partner's claims, the artist understands that unexpected events can occur and break up a relationship, so there is no point pretending otherwise.
Oh, your friends with their fancy persuasion
Don't admit that it's part of a scheme
The singer reiterates their suspicions about the partner's friends not being truthful about their involvement in the situation.
And how long has this been going on?
The singer asks again how long the situation has been happening, emphasizing their confusion and desire for answers.
How long?
The artist repeats the question, conveying their frustration and impatience about not knowing the truth.
How long has this been going on?
The song ends with the same question, leaving the situation and its true nature unresolved.
Writer(s): Joey Moi, Mark King, Brian Howes, Michael Rodden, Lloyd Garvey, Ross Hanson, Austin Winkler
Contributed by Bailey F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.