| Composer | George Gershwin |
| Lyricist | Ira Gershwin |
| Year Written | 1928 |
About This Song
” How Long Has This Been Going On” was written in 1928 by George and Ira Gershwin. It was first used in the 1928 musical Rosalie.
View the lyrics
‘Neath the stars, at bazaars
Often I’ve had to caress men
Five or ten, dollars then, I’d collect from all those yes-men
Don’t be sad, I must add, that they meant no more than chess-men
Darling, can’t you see?
‘Twas for charity?
Though these lips have made slips, it was never really serious
Who’d have thought, I’d be brought to a state that’s so delirious?
I could cry salty tears
Where have I been all these years?
Little wow, tell me now
How long has this been goin’ on?
There were chills up my spine
And some thrills I can’t define
Listen sweet, I repeat
How long has this been goin’ on?
Oh, I feel that I could melt
Into heaven I’m hurled
I know how Columbus felt
Finding another world
Kiss me once, then once more
What a dunce I was before
What a break, for heaven’s sake
How long has this been goin’ on?
Recordings
1960
Tony Bennett recorded “How Long Has This Been Going On” on February 29, 1960. Frank DeVol wrote the arrangement
CO 64172
Release History
| 1960 | Columbia LP 12″: CS 8262 — Alone Together |
| 1960 | Columbia LP 12″ (Mono): CL 1471 — Alone Together |
| 1960 | Philips LP 12″: BBL 7452 — Alone Together (UK) |
| 1990 | CBS/Sony CD: 32DP-568 — Alone Together [Japan] |
| 1993 | Rhino/Wea CD: R2-71503 — Great American Songwriters, Vol. 1: George & Ira Gershwin ( |
| 2011 | Columbia: The Complete Collection — Disc 17 — Alone Together |
Recordings
1964
Tony Bennett recorded “How Long Has This Been Going On” on February 26, 1964. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and led The Ralph Sharon Trio.
This recording of “How Long Has This Been Going On” (CO 81299-3) is not available for streaming.
Release History
| 2006 | RPM/Columbia/Legacy CD: 69699 85807 2 — When Lights Are Low |
“How Long Has This Been Going On” was not included in the 1964 LP release; it was added to the 2006 CD release. However, it is not included in the 2011 Complete Collection CD of When Lights Are Low.