How Long Has This Been Going On?

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of someone who has seemingly engaged in transactional relationships, collecting money from men they describe as "yes-men" and "chessmen." There's a clear attempt to downplay these past encounters, framing them as "for charity" and "never really serious." This sets up a stark contrast with the present, where the narrator expresses a state of "delirious" wonder and disbelief. The central tension arises from the narrator's sudden, overwhelming realization of love or intense connection. The repeated question, "How long has this been going on?" isn't just about the current relationship, but a profound reckoning with their past experiences. It suggests a deep sense of regret or astonishment that they could have lived without this feeling for so long, especially after a history of what appear to be superficial interactions. The craft here hinges on the dramatic shift in emotional language. The earlier verses use detached, almost cynical terms like "caress men," "dollars," and "chessmen." This is abruptly replaced by visceral, ecstatic descriptions like "chills up my spine," "thrills I can't define," and feeling "hurled" into heaven. The comparison to Columbus finding "another world" powerfully illustrates the magnitude of this new emotional discovery, making the past seem insignificant. This lyrical structure is effective because it mirrors a genuine epiphany. The initial verses establish a world-weary, perhaps jaded, perspective, making the subsequent outpouring of joy and disbelief feel earned and deeply impactful. The repeated, almost breathless question underscores the narrator's stunned gratitude for this unexpected, transformative experience, highlighting how profoundly their perception of life has changed.