How Long Has This Been Going On? (1957)

Song Meaning

The narrator recounts a childhood where affection, specifically kissing, was a familial norm, but one that felt deeply unsettling, described as 'hell, an inferno worse than Dante's.' This early negative experience led to a conscious decision to avoid kissing, a resolution that now feels like a profound loss. The repeated question, 'How long has this been going on?' underscores a dawning realization that this self-imposed restriction has cost them dearly. The core tension lies in the stark contrast between the narrator's past aversion to kissing and their present, overwhelming desire for it. The lyrics suggest a dramatic shift in perspective, moving from a place of fear and avoidance to one of intense longing and discovery. This transformation is so profound that the narrator feels like Columbus, discovering an entirely new world through a simple act they once rejected. The most striking aspect of the craft is the dramatic pivot from the intro's dark, almost gothic imagery to the ecstatic, almost disbelieving tone of the verses and bridges. The initial description of childhood kisses as a hellish experience is immediately juxtaposed with the current joy found in a single kiss, highlighting the magnitude of the narrator's 'lost out' years. The repetition of 'How long has this been going on?' acts as a desperate plea for understanding, both from a partner and from themselves, about this delayed awakening. This song hits so hard because it captures that jarring moment when a deeply ingrained belief is shattered by lived experience. The narrator’s journey from revulsion to rapture, framed by the simple, repeated question, makes the discovery feel both personal and universally resonant. It’s the sound of someone realizing a fundamental part of life was missed, and the overwhelming relief and joy that comes with finally experiencing it.