How Long (Has This Been Goin' On) (1974) 12/18/20

In another case of a song not meaning what it appears to mean, I submit today's “Great Song of the '70s!

Most everyone believes that 1974's “How Long (Has This Been Going On)” by Ace is about infidelity.

It is, actually, but not between lovers.

According to Paul Carrack, who wrote and sang lead on the song, it was about Ace's bass player, Terry Comer.

Terry had been moonlighting with some other bands and was keeping it a secret, but eventually, word got out. Obviously, Paul hadn't known about it and was rightfully upset.

The song made Ace a one-hit wonder in the US (#3 on the Hot 100) and Canada (#3 on the Top 40).

Phil Collins of Genesis called “How Long” a “classic,” and Phil wasn't the only member of Genesis to take notice. After Ace broke up in 1977, Mike Rutherford hired Paul to be the co-lead singer (with Paul Young) on his side project, “Mike & The Mechanics.” Carrack also spent some time touring with artists like Elton John, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, B.B. King and The Pretenders—just to name a handful.

So...was it a GOOD thing that Terry Comer was moonlighting behind Ace's collective back? In retrospect, it sure seems so—at least for Paul Carrack.

“How Long (Has This Been Going On):” a “Great Song of 1974!”