How Long Has This Been Going On?

by George Gershwin
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Looking to play this yourself? Try the standard piano arrangement of “How Long Has This Been Going On?”
Two-handed piano arrangement — color-coded notes, lead sheet, sheet music. Learn it yourself.

Other arrangements of How Long Has This Been Going On?

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Lyrics

As a (Em7)tot, when I (Am7)trot ted in (D7)lit tle vel vet (G)pant (Em7)ies,

I was kissed by my (C#7)sis ters, my (F#)cou sins (F#)and my (Bm)aunt (Em6)ies.

Sad to (Am7)tell, it was (B7)Hell, an in (E7)fer no worse than (Am)Dan (Dm6)te’s.

(A7)So, my dear, I swore,

(Am)‘Ne ver, ne ver more!’

On my (Em7)list, I in (Am7)sis ted that (D7)kiss ing must be (G)crossed (Em7)out.

Now I find I was (C#7)blind, and oh (F#7)la dy, how I’ve (Bm)lost (Bm7)out!

(D7)I could cry

(Ddim7)salt y tears;

(D7)where have (D7aug)I (G9)been (C7)all these years?

(G)Lit tle (Bbdim7)wow;

(Am7)tell me (D7)now

how (C)long has this been (D7)go ing on?

(D7)There were chills

(Ddim7)up my spine,

(D7)and some (D7aug)thrills (G9)I (C7)can’t de fine.

(G)Lis ten (Bbdim7)sweet,

(Am7)I re (D7)peat:

How (C)long has this been (D7)go ing on?

(Cmaj7)Oh, (F9)I feel that (Cmaj7)I could melt;

(Cmaj7)In to (F7)Hea ven I’m (Cmaj7)hurled!

(Bm)I (Em6)know how Co (Bm)lum bus felt,

(Bm)find ing (Em6)an oth er (Bm)world!

(D7)Kiss me once,

(Ddim7)then once more.

(D7)What a dunce (G9)I (C7)was be fore.

(G)What a (Bbdim7)break,

for (Am7)Hea ven’s (D7)sake!

How (C)long has this been (D7)go ing on?

(G)Lis ten, (Bbdim7)you

(D7)do

(D7)What a kick!

(Ddim7)How I buzz!

(D7)Boy, you (D7aug)click (G9)as (C7)no one does!

(G)Hear me

(Cmaj7)Dear, (F9)when in your (Cmaj7)arms I creep,

(Cmaj7)that di (F7)vine ren dez (Cmaj7)vous.

(Bm)Don’t (Em6)wake me, if (Bm)I’m a sleep,

(Bm)let me (Em6)dream that it’s (Bm)true.

twice,

(D7)That makes thrice, (G9)let’s (C7)make it four!

(Bbdim7)break!

How Long Has This Been Going On? — Piano Accompaniment Track

2 people have learned this song

Free piano accompaniment for "How Long Has This Been Going On?" by George Gershwin. Sing along or play your instrument over the backing piano. Toggle the vocal melody on/off, change key to fit your voice, adjust tempo. Key of G, 110 BPM.

Tip: Press play and sing the melody on top of the piano. If the original key (G) sits too high or low for your voice, use the transpose control to shift the accompaniment into a comfortable range — the backing moves with you. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the vocal melody in.

Try other practice modes:

About “How Long Has This Been Going On?”

How do the bar-notation visuals help sing "How Long Has This Been Going On?" with this backing?
Each chord change drops as a colored bar across the staff, scrolling in real time so you can see exactly when the harmony shifts. Helpful for hitting entrances and judging when to breathe — especially on phrases that don't begin on beat 1 of "How Long Has This Been Going On?".
What key is the piano accompaniment for "How Long Has This Been Going On?" by George Gershwin in?
The backing track is in G at 110 BPM. If that doesn't sit in your vocal range, use the live transpose control to shift up or down semitones — the accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.
Can I sing over "How Long Has This Been Going On?" with this accompaniment?
Yes — that's exactly what it's built for. The vocal melody is muted by default so you can sing freely. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the melody back in at a lower volume.
Is this a karaoke version of "How Long Has This Been Going On?"?
Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "How Long Has This Been Going On?", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.
Can I use "How Long Has This Been Going On?" as a backing track for my instrument?
Absolutely. Singers, guitarists, violinists, wind players, and instrumental practice in general all work — the piano holds the harmony so you can carry the melody on whatever instrument you play.
Can I download the accompaniment for "How Long Has This Been Going On?"?
Yes — registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.
Who wrote "How Long Has This Been Going On?"?
"How Long Has This Been Going On?" was originally performed by George Gershwin. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.
What other backing tracks by George Gershwin are available?
Other accompaniments by George Gershwin: "But Not For Me", "Do It Again", "Embraceable You". Same toggle-the-melody, change-the-key setup.
How do I use "How Long Has This Been Going On?" as a backing track?
Just press play — the piano accompaniment runs from start to end, no vocals. Sing, hum, or play your own instrument over it. Use the mic icon to add a vocal melody as a pitch reference, and the speed control if you want a slower practice tempo.
Can I change the key of "How Long Has This Been Going On?" to fit my voice?
Yes — the original is in G, but the player has a live transpose control so you can shift up or down semitones until the melody sits in your vocal range. The piano accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.

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