"How Long" is the debut single by the English band
Ace, from their 1974 debut album, Five-A-Side. It reached No. 3 on both the US and Canadian charts, and No. 20 on the
UK Singles Chart.[5]
In a 1981 issue of Smash Hits,
Phil Collins named the song as one of his top 10 favourites, describing it as a "classic single".[6]
Background
Although widely interpreted as being about
infidelity, the song was in fact composed by lead singer
Paul Carrack upon discovering that bassist Terry "Tex" Comer had been secretly working with
the Sutherland Brothers and
Quiver.[7]
The guitar solo is by lead guitarist Phil Harris.
Alan "Bam" King was the band's rhythm guitarist, formerly with the Action. Lead vocals are by
Paul Carrack.[8]
The band had originally tried to record the song as a Motown-type single for Anchor Records, but gave up in favour of recording their first album at
Rockfield Studios in Wales. The song was recorded for the album.[9]
In March 2020 the reached No. 1 on
Billboard's Rock Digital Song Sales chart, selling 4,000 downloads, with 831,000 streams and an increase in sales of more than 2,000%.[10]
Australian band
Scandal charted in the top 50 of the
Kent Music Report with their version. It is from their only album release Scandal (1978).[citation needed]
Lipps Inc., in 1980, hit No. 4 on the U.S. dance chart, No. 29 on the U.S. soul singles chart, No. 42 in Canada (2 weeks),[23] and No. 44 in Australia.[24] Their cover version sold one million units in Mexico.[25]