How Long Has This Been Going On?

by George Gershwin
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Two-handed piano arrangement — color-coded notes, lead sheet, sheet music. Learn it yourself.

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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? — Accompaniment Sheet Music (Classic Notation)

Classic piano notation for "How Long Has This Been Going On?" by George Gershwin as an accompaniment / backing track. Both hands engraved at publisher quality in G — sing or play melody on top while the score follows along at 110 BPM. Click any note to jump there.

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?

Is the engraved accompaniment score for "How Long Has This Been Going On?" suitable for a pianist?
Yes — both hands are notated in classic piano notation (treble + bass clefs, key G, real chord symbols), engraved server-side from the publisher MusicXML. A staff pianist or accompanist can read this directly from the screen or printed PDF and play the backing while you sing the melody.
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.
What is this accompaniment Sheet Music view?
Same engraver-grade rendering as the standard Sheet Music mode — both hands, classic piano notation, key of G, real chord symbols — but the audio is the karaoke / backing-track arrangement of "How Long Has This Been Going On?" with the lead melody removed. Perfect for singers, lead instruments, and ensemble practice.
Can I sing or play melody while the score follows along?
Yes. The backing track removes the melody so you can sing or play it on top while the chord changes and rhythm guide you. The engraved score scrolls in time with the audio so you never lose your place.
Is this the same notation a piano book would show?
Yes — treble + bass clefs, key signature, time signature, beams, dynamics, and chord symbols above the staff, all rendered from the original publisher MusicXML. Identical reading experience to a printed piano accompaniment book.

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