How Long Has This Been Going On?

Song Meaning

The lyrics to "How Long Has This Been Going On?" capture the exhilarating shock of a sudden, profound realization. The speaker is overwhelmed by a new feeling, expressing both wonder and a touch of playful regret. They could "cry salty tears" and exclaim, "Little wow," at the sheer intensity of the moment. Central to the lyrics is the speaker's disbelief at their past ignorance. Phrases like "Where have I been all these years?" and later, "What a dunce I was before," highlight a self-deprecating humor mixed with genuine astonishment. This newfound awareness is so powerful it makes their previous state seem utterly oblivious, creating a delightful tension between past blindness and present clarity. The craft truly shines in the bridge, where the personal experience is elevated to an epic scale. The speaker feels they could "melt" and are "Into heaven I'm hurled," before declaring, "I know how Columbus felt / Finding another world." This grand metaphor perfectly encapsulates the transformative nature of the discovery, suggesting it's not just a feeling, but an entirely new reality. What makes these lyrics so effective is how they blend intense physical sensations—"chills up my spine" and the feeling of being "hurled"—with a giddy, escalating desire. The playful counting of kisses, from "once, then once more" to "thrice, let's make it four," grounds the profound emotion in a tangible, intimate interaction. It's a snapshot of pure, intoxicating joy, leaving the listener to revel in the speaker's delightful astonishment.