Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
If you said goodbye to me tonight
There would still be music left to write
What else could I do
I'm so inspired by you
That hasn't happened for the longest time

Once I thought my innocence was gone
Now I know that happiness goes on
That's where you found me
When you put your arms around me
I haven't been there for the longest time

Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest
I'm that voice you're hearing in the hall
And the greatest miracle of all
Is how I need you
And how you needed me too
That hasn't happened for the longest time

Maybe this won't last very long
But you feel so right
And I could be wrong
Maybe I've been hoping too hard
But I've gone this far
And it's more than I hoped for

Who knows how much further we'll go on
Maybe I'll be sorry when you're gone
I'll take my chances
I forgot how nice romance is
I haven't been there for the longest time

I had second thoughts at the start
I said to myself
Hold on to your heart
Now I know the woman that you are
You're wonderful so far
And it's more than I hoped for

I don't care what consequence it brings
I have been a fool for lesser things
I want you so bad
I think you ought to know that
I intend to hold you for the longest time



Lyrics submitted by kevin

Track duration: 03:37

"The Longest Time" as written by Billy Joel

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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The Longest Time song meanings
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16 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Love this song.
    Never gets old..and always makes me smile

    This line is my fav:)

    "If you said goodbye to me tonight
    There would still be music left to write"
    Flag Erika144on March 25, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this song is about a fling. I'm not saying that love can't last forever. Like foolsinangelsclothng is trying to say. It can and I seen it happened. But what I'm trying to say is that it's about a fling.
    If you think about it the music video takes place after a high school reunion. These men are coming together singing a song they could have written and sung when they were in high school singing to their girlfriends at the time. They knew it wouldn't last forever because they both would have went their seperate ways
    Flag coolioangelon October 31, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This isn't one of those deep love songs where someone professes an undying love for another person, which I think is a refreshing change, because as most relationships do, this one is likely to come to an end soon enough... It is a pretty ideal way to view love, because this love is for the moment. It's terribly rare that love actually is everlasting. It would be okay for both parties if it came to an end, and they don't grow too dependent on one another.
    Flag foolinsagesclothingon February 11, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:This song is not about heroin, or any other drug. He cleary reffers to a woman in at least one line, and he wouldn't use lines like "I'm the voice you're hearing in the hall", it would have been "You're the voice I'm hearing in the hall". Or "If you said goodbye to me tonight", it would have been "If I said goodbye to you tonight" if it were about drugs.

    This is just a really good song because it talks about someone who is just happy to be living in the moment. It's been a hard road for him, but now he's found someone that makes him truely happy and he's willing to risk everything to just give it a chance and see where it goes.
    Flag hotrod78monteon December 03, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I'm gonna say that Jimmyjr827 is completely wrong on this
    Flag Superman08on September 02, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Yah! I agree with Jimmyjr287! God, people these days. Pfft!
    Flag Chokeoniton July 26, 2007   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:This song, like most songs that seemed to be interpreted on songmeanings, is about his drug addiction to herion. He's clearly explaining how much he justifies his addiction to himself and how he know's he wouldn't be a good musician if he didn't do it. It's OBVIOUS, people. Gosh, some people are just so naive.
    Flag Jimmyjr827on July 25, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Just had to dig out my Billy Joel CDs after I heard this one on the radio today. :D

    Just one of those feel-good songs, you know? Really speaks volumes to me. =)
    Flag DoubtFullon March 05, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"If you said goodbye to me tonight
    There would still be music left to write
    What else could I do
    I'm so inspired by you
    That hasn't happened for the longest time"

    This just says it completely for me - so she might leave him, but just the experience of knowing her leaves him inspiration forever ^_^
    Flag bayberry_moonon September 15, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:ooooooh i love this song! i love to go around my house and sing it cause it's wonderful to sing to, and i'm so happy, this spring i'm going to see Billy joel! (does little dance*)
    Flag KristieisRadon January 11, 2006   Link

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