How Long

The lyrics describe a relationship damaged by a confession of cheating. The speaker admits he was wrong and says he was drunk, but also tries to explain that it happened only once and meant nothing. His partner is less interested in hearing apologies than in finding out how long the behavior has been happening. The repeated question makes the mood feel increasingly anxious and confrontational.

“Creeping ’round” suggests secretly meeting or seeing someone, while “acting shady” means behaving suspiciously or dishonestly. The contrast between calling the partner “baby” and being unfaithful highlights a gap between affectionate words and actions. When the speaker says to blame his “head and not my heart,” he is trying to separate a bad decision from his feelings, though that explanation may not persuade his partner.

The lyrics leave an important point unresolved: the speaker insists that the encounter happened only once, but the partner’s question suggests she suspects a longer pattern. His claims that he loves only her may be sincere, or they may sound like attempts to avoid the consequences. The song does not tell us whether the couple will reconcile; it centers on the painful demand for honesty and the uncertainty of what happened.