How Long (Ace song)

"How Long" is a 1975 song by the British group Ace from their album Five-A-Side. It reached No. 3 in the US and Canadian charts, and No. 20 in the UK Singles Chart.[3]

"How Long"
Single by Ace
from the album Five-A-Side
B-side"Sniffin' About"
ReleasedMarch 1975
GenreSoft rock[1][2]
Length3:22
LabelAnchor
Songwriter(s)Paul Carrack
Producer(s)John Anthony
Ace singles chronology
"How Long"
(1975)		 "I Ain't Gonna Stand for This"
(1975)

Although widely interpreted as being about adultery, the song was in fact composed by lead singer Paul Carrack upon discovering that bassist Terry Comer had been secretly working with the Sutherland Brothers and Quiver.[4] The ‘friends with their fancy persuasions’ cited in the lyrics are said to be in reference to The Sutherland Brothers and Quiver’s management.[5]

The guitar solo is by lead guitarist Phil Harris. Alan 'Bam' King was the band's rhythm guitarist, formerly with the Action.

Phil Collins later named the song as one of his top 10 favorites, describing it as a "classic single".[6]

Chart history

Covers

Charting versions
  • Lipps Inc. recorded a cover in 1980 that reached No. 4 on the U.S. dance chart, No. 29 on the U.S. soul singles chart, No. 42 in Canada and No. 44 in Australia.[18]

The sample of their cover was later used in Cypis's 2015 single "Gdzie jest biały węgorz".[19]

  • Rod Stewart in 1981 recorded a version that charted in the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100.[20] It was included on his album Tonight I'm Yours.[21]
  • In 1993, British reggae group Aswad and singer Yazz recorded the song which reached No. 31 in the UK Singles Chart,[22] from Yazz's 1994 album One on One.[23]
  • Composer and original vocalist Paul Carrack recorded a new version of the song for his 1995 album Blue Views.[24] Carrack's solo version hit No. 32 on the UK chart.

Other versions

The following artists have also recorded cover versions of "How Long":

See also

References
  1. Thomas, Stephen. "How Long - Ace : Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  2. "How Long - Ace |". Toponehitwonders.com. 21 May 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  3. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 13. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. "Ace | Biography, Albums, & Streaming Radio". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  5. "Ace | Biography, Albums, & Streaming Radio". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  6. Collins, Phil. "All Time Top 10". Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  7. "Forum - 1970 (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". Australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  8. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3969a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  9. "Dutchcharts.nl – Ace – How Long" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  10. "Ace: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  11. ""Ace – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Ace". Billboard.
  12. Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 12.
  13. "Cash Box Top 100 5/31/75". Tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  14. "Ace Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  15. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca.
  16. "Top 100 Hits of 1975/Top 100 Songs of 1975". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  17. "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1975". Tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  18. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 178. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  19. Steve Huey. "Lipps, Inc. | Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  20. Stephen Thomas Erlewine (10 January 1945). "Rod Stewart | Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  21. "Search Help". Google.com. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  22. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 613. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  23. "Yazz - One On One". Discogs.com. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  24. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Blue Views - Paul Carrack | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  25. Jason Ankeny. "Home Is Where the Heart Is - Bobby Womack | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  26. "Love's Ups and Downs - Barbara Mandrell | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  27. https://www.discogs.com/J-J-Barnes-How-Long/master/1157693
  28. "Barbara Dickson - Coming Alive Again (CD, Album)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  29. Thom Jurek (13 August 2013). "Train Keeps a Rolling - Jeff Golub,Brian Auger | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  30. https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Ronnie-Dunn-Releases-Two-New-Singles-20190927
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