Braff was a wonderfully characterful and melodic player with an immediately identifiable sound and unique tone on the cornet, an uncommon instrument in post-war jazz. He style was fundamentally based on that of earlier players including Louis Armstrong, Bobby Hackett and Bunny Berigan but he transcended these influences to always sounds fresh, sparky and somehow modern.
He was born in Boston and began playing in local clubs in the 1940s. In 1949, he was hired to play with the Edmond Hall Orchestra. He relocated to New York in 1953 where he was much in demand for band dates and recordings.
He died February 10, 2003, in Chatham, Massachusetts.
"Sure, they’ve made statements about my supposedly combining a modern approach with a feeling for traditional forms. Well, people say all sorts of things, because they want to categorise and label. I’ve only ever had two labels. Either it’s good or it stinks." - Ruby Braff speaking in 1968
how long has this been going on
Ruby Braff Lyrics
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I was kissed by my sisters, my cousins, and my aunties.
Sad to tell, it was hell, an inferno worse than Dante's.
So my dear I swore,
"Never, never more !"
On my list, I insisted that kissing must be crossed out.
Now, I find I was blind, and oh my! How I lost out!
I could cry salty tears,
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,
How long has this been going on?
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?
Dear, when in your arms I creep,
That divine rendezvous,
Don't wake me, if I'm asleep,
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 going on?
How long has this, been going on?
The lyrics of Ruby Braff & Dave McKenna's song "How Long Has This Been Going On" are about the realization of the importance of love and intimacy, and the regret of missing out on the experience. The singer, as a child, was kissed by his sisters, cousins, and aunties which he found unpleasant and made a promise to himself that he would never kiss anyone again. However, as the singer grows up, he realizes the mistake he made and the experiences he missed out on. The singer expresses his regret and longing for missed opportunities, wondering how long has he been unaware of this feeling and questioning the depth of his unknowingness.
The lyrics make use of metaphors, similes, and allusions to express the theme of the song. The metaphorical references to Dante's Inferno and Columbus's discovery of the New World depict the singer's emotional state and the magnitude of his missed opportunities. The simile, "I could cry salty tears" expresses the singer's distress and the emotional weight of his regret. The allusions contribute to the theme of the song by emphasizing the depth of the singer's emotional state and the gravity of his realization.
Overall, the song is a reflection on the human experience of longing and the realization of missed opportunities.
Line by Line Meaning
As a tot, when I trotted in little velvet panties,
As a child, when I ran around in tiny clothes,
I was kissed by my sisters, my cousins, and my aunties.
I was showered with kisses from my female relatives.
Sad to tell, it was hell, an inferno worse than Dante's.
Unfortunately, these kisses were an unpleasant experience for me.
So my dear I swore,
As a result, I vowed
"Never, never more !"
To never let it happen again!
On my list, I insisted that kissing must be crossed out.
I added kissing to my list of forbidden things.
Now, I find I was blind, and oh my! How I lost out!
But now I realize how foolish I was, and how much I missed.
I could cry salty tears,
I am filled with regret
Where have I been all these years?
For not realizing this earlier?
Little wow, tell me now,
Can someone please explain to me?
How long has this been going on?
How long have I been missing out on this?
There were chills up my spine,
Something new sent shivers through my body,
And some thrills I can't define.
And I can't even explain the sensations I feel.
Listen, sweet, I repeat,
Listen carefully, I need to say this again,
How long has this been going on?
I can't believe how long I've been missing out on this!
Oh, I feel that I could melt,
I am overwhelmed with emotions
Into Heaven I'm hurled!
As if I've been transported to heaven!
I know how Columbus felt,
I have discovered something new, like Columbus.
Finding another world.
A whole new world has been opened up to me.
Kiss me once, then once more.
Please kiss me once, and then again.
What a dunce I was before.
I can't believe how ignorant I was in the past.
What a break! For Heaven's sake!
This is amazing, it's like a miracle!
How long has this been going on?
I still can't believe I've missed out on this incredible experience!
Dear, when in your arms I creep,
When I cuddle in your embrace,
That divine rendezvous,
This heavenly meeting of ours,
Don't wake me, if I'm asleep,
Please don't disturb me if I'm dreaming,
Let me dream that it's true!
I never want to leave this dreamlike state!
Kiss me twice, then once more.
Please kiss me again and again!
That makes thrice, let's make it four!
That's three kisses, let's keep going for four!
What a break! For Heaven's sake!
This is a gift from the heavens!
How long has this been going on?
I still can't believe I've missed out on this incredible experience!
How long has this, been going on?
I need to know how long I've been missing out on all of this!
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind