How Long Baby
Them Lyrics


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How long, how long baby,
Can this love of ours go on?
How long, how long baby,
Because I know, I know you've been doing me wrong

You've been seen all over town
Playin' the field putting me down
How long can this go on?

How long, how long baby
Must you treat me like a fool?
How long, how long baby
Don't you know, you're breaking the rules?

Do you think it's only a game?
The way that you're acting
You'll drive me insane,
How long can this go on?

I want to know, how long, how long baby
Must you tear my soul apart?
How long, how long baby
When you break, when you break my heart

Oh won't you change your ways,
Come on back let me hear you say
That we will start anew





I need you so, I need you so
I need you so, whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa

Overall Meaning

The Them's song How Long Baby is a classic R&B hit from 1965. The lyrics of the song are about a man pleading with his lover, asking her how long their love can go on while she continues to cheat on him. He expresses his feelings of hurt and betrayal, as he has seen her with other men all over town. The singer is tired of being treated like a fool and wants to know how much longer he'll have to deal with her infidelity. He fears that this constant betrayal will eventually drive him insane.


The lyrics of How Long Baby are a prime example of the themes that are common in R&B music. The song is about love and heartbreak, which are feelings that most people can relate to. The lyrics are honest, raw, and full of emotion, which is why this classic R&B song still resonates with audiences today.


Line by Line Meaning

How long, how long baby,
The singer is wondering how much longer their relationship can last.


Can this love of ours go on?
They are questioning if their love can continue despite the problems they are facing.


Because I know, I know you've been doing me wrong
The singer suspects that their partner has been unfaithful and dishonest.


You've been seen all over town
Their partner has been spotted with other people in various locations.


Playin' the field putting me down
Their partner is flirting with others and making the artist feel inadequate and unimportant.


Must you treat me like a fool?
The singer is questioning why their partner is disrespecting them.


Don't you know, you're breaking the rules?
They are informing their partner that their behavior is unacceptable and goes against the norms of a committed relationship.


Do you think it's only a game?
The artist thinks their partner is treating the relationship like a casual game.


The way that you're acting
Their partner's behavior is causing them distress and anxiety.


You'll drive me insane,
Their partner's actions are taking a toll on the artist's mental health.


How long can this go on?
The singer wonders how much longer they can tolerate their partner's unfaithfulness and lies.


I want to know, how long, how long baby
The artist desperately wants an answer from their partner about the future of their relationship.


Must you tear my soul apart?
The singer expresses how their partner's behavior is affecting them emotionally.


When you break, when you break my heart
The singer anticipates their partner will hurt them if they continue their current path of behavior.


Oh won't you change your ways,
Their partner needs to modify their behavior if they want their relationship to continue.


Come on back let me hear you say
The artist needs their partner to verbally express their commitment to improving the relationship.


That we will start anew
Their relationship needs a fresh start in order to move forward.


I need you so, I need you so
The singer wants their partner to know that they still love and depend on them.


Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
The singer's emotions are overwhelming and they are looking for comfort and stability in their relationship.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: M GILLON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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