How Long Has This Been Going On?

Song Meaning

Chris Connor's rendition of "How Long Has This Been Going On?" is less a question of duration and more an ecstatic exclamation of newfound love. The song meaning hinges on the disorienting, almost comical realization of a powerful connection that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. The opening lines, "I could cry salty tears / Where have I been all these years?" aren't steeped in regret, but rather a playful self-deprecation, a nod to the speaker's prior unawareness. It suggests a life lived in grayscale suddenly bursting into vibrant Technicolor. The repetition of the title phrase acts as a mantra, a bewildered attempt to grasp the magnitude of this emotional shift. The lyrics further emphasize the almost absurd level of infatuation. "Chills up my spine / And some thrills I can't define" paints a picture of overwhelming physical and emotional sensations. The bridge, with its hyperbolic comparison to Columbus discovering a new world, reinforces the idea of love as a transformative, earth-shattering event. It's a melodramatic, yet sincere, expression of being completely swept away. The feeling is akin to a psychological concept called 'limerence,' where intrusive, obsessive thoughts and feelings are triggered by another person. Ultimately, "How Long Has This Been Going On?" is about the joy and bewilderment of discovering a love so potent it redefines one's understanding of the world. The repeated request for "Kiss me once, then once more" isn't about sexual desire alone, but a craving for validation, a need to constantly reaffirm the reality of this incredible connection. The singer acknowledges their past self as a "dunce," highlighting the transformative power of love to reveal previously unseen dimensions of life. It's a celebration of being gloriously, almost foolishly, in love.