How Long Has This Been Going On? [Live]

Song Meaning

This track opens with a spoken intro that immediately sets a tone of bewildered uncertainty, a feeling that permeates the entire song. The narrator grapples with a profound realization, questioning their own past experiences with a sense of shock and regret. The central question, "How long has this been going on?" isn't just about a specific event, but a deep-seated bewilderment about their own awareness. The lyrics paint a picture of someone suddenly awakening to a new reality, possibly a relationship or a profound emotional state, that feels both exhilarating and disorienting. The contrast between "salty tears" and "thrills" highlights this internal conflict, suggesting a past filled with sorrow or a lack of fulfillment that is now being replaced by something intensely positive. The repeated plea to a "little one" or "dear" implies a desire for guidance or confirmation from someone central to this newfound experience. The bridge offers a striking metaphor for this awakening: the narrator wishes to "melt into Heaven" and feels like "Columbus felt / Finding another world." This comparison elevates the current experience beyond mere romance; it's presented as a monumental discovery, a revelation that redefines their entire existence. The desire "don't wake me if I'm asleep / Let me dream that it's true" underscores the fragile, almost unbelievable nature of this profound shift. Ultimately, the song's power lies in its raw expression of sudden, overwhelming realization. The narrator's self-deprecation, calling themselves "what a dunce I was before," emphasizes the magnitude of their prior ignorance. The repeated, almost desperate questioning of "How long has this been going on?" captures that disorienting moment when a lifetime's perspective is instantly upended by a profound, life-altering truth.