How Long Has This Been Going On?

by George Gershwin
Loading song
Fetching song
1
—
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?

Pick a learning view or switch to the backing-track version.

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 (Falling Notes)

2 people have learned this song

Free piano accompaniment for "How Long Has This Been Going On?" by George Gershwin in falling-notes (Synthesia) style. Watch the chord notes fall as you sing or play your instrument over the backing. Adjustable key + tempo. Original key 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?”

Why does the accompaniment for "How Long Has This Been Going On?" show falling notes?
Falling Notes makes each chord visual — colored notes drop onto the keyboard so you can FEEL the rhythm of the backing before each entry. Singers find it easier to lock in with the piano's groove when they see the chord notes land instead of just hearing them.
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.
Can I use "How Long Has This Been Going On?" as a backing track for singing?
Yes — this is the piano accompaniment for How Long Has This Been Going On? by George Gershwin, with the chord notes falling visually so you can see exactly when each chord lands. Original key is G; transpose live to fit your voice.
How is this different from the bar-sheet accompaniment?
Same audio backing — different visualization. Falling notes show each chord note dropping in real time (like Synthesia), which makes the chord rhythm easier to feel. Use whichever view helps you stay on the beat.

More songs you might like

But Not For Me, George Gershwin
Eb

But Not For Me

George Gershwin

Medium120 BPM
Nice Work If You Can Get It, George Gershwin
G

Nice Work If You Can Get It

George Gershwin

Medium125 BPM
But Not For Me, George Gershwin
F

But Not For Me

George Gershwin

Easy136 BPM
Strike Up The Band, George Gershwin
Bb

Strike Up The Band

George Gershwin

Medium100 BPM
Little Jazz Bird, George Gershwin
G

Little Jazz Bird

George Gershwin

Easy109 BPM
Looking For A Boy, George Gershwin
G

Looking For A Boy

George Gershwin

Easy124 BPM
I Got Plenty O' Nuttin', George Gershwin
G

I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'

George Gershwin

Easy120 BPM
Embraceable You, George Gershwin
G

Embraceable You

George Gershwin

Easy140 BPM
I Got Rhythm, George Gershwin
G

I Got Rhythm

George Gershwin

Easy150 BPM
Let's Call The Whole Thing Off, George Gershwin
D

Let's Call The Whole Thing Off

George Gershwin

Medium160 BPM
Someone To Watch Over Me, George Gershwin
C

Someone To Watch Over Me

George Gershwin

Easy106 BPM
WHO CARES?, George Gershwin
C

WHO CARES?

George Gershwin

Easy120 BPM