IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME

Southside Johnny's album version



Backing vocalists:Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa, whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa, whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa

Southside Johnny:We lived in a time and a world of our own
Making up the rules as we went along
Steven Van Zandt:Just one coat between us and we never felt cold
We were never gonna get old

Bruce Springsteen:Playing cards 'till the sun came up, rolling dice
Down to the club and listening to the blues all night
Southside Johnny:Girls out on the corner get lonely now and then
Van Zandt and Springsteen:We'd never be that free again

All:It's been a long time since we laughed together
It's been a long time since we cried
Raise your glass for the comrades we've lost
My friend it's been a long, long time

Southside Johnny:Working just enough to pay the rent
Steven Van Zandt:??? money got made baby and money got spent
Bruce Springsteen:Sleeping when we had nothing left to do
Southside and Springsteen:Under the boardwalk and up on the roof

Southside Johnny:Now we never quite fit baby, we never played the game
Steven Van Zandt:Came out exploding like a runaway train
Bruce Springsteen:Up all night talking 'bout dreams of better days
Southside and Van Zandt:Ain't it funny how some things don't change

All:It's been a long time since we laughed together
It's been a long time since we cried
Raise your glass for the comrades we've lost
My friend it's been a long, long time
Southside Johnny:Oh oh

Backing vocalists:Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa, whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa, whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa

Southside Johnny:We lived in a time and a world of our own
Making up the rules as we went along
Steven Van Zandt:Just one coat between us and we never felt cold
Bruce Springsteen:Woah we were never gonna get old

All:It's been a long time since we laughed together
It's been a long time since we cried
Raise your glass for the comrades we've lost
My friend it's been a long, long time

All:It's been a long time since we laughed together
It's been a long time since we cried
Raise your glass for the comrades we've lost
My friend it's been a long, long time

Backing vocalists:Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa, whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa, whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Southside Johnny:It's been a long, long time
Backing vocalists:Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Steven Van Zandt:Oh yesterday
Backing vocalists:Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Bruce Springsteen:Raise your glass baby
Backing vocalists:Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Southside Johnny:Ah yeah
Backing vocalists:Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Southside Johnny:It's been a long, long time
Backing vocalists:Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Steven Van Zandt:One more time baby
Bruce Springsteen:One more time baby
Backing vocalists:Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Steven Van Zandt:Come on, come on, raise your glass now
Backing vocalists:Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Southside Johnny:I've been waiting since a long
Backing vocalists:Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Steven Van Zandt:Such a long long long time
Bruce Springsteen:Raise your glass baby
Backing vocalists:Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Southside Johnny:Come on baby
Backing vocalists:Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Bruce Springsteen:Come on up, come on up
Backing vocalists:Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa...
[Fades out]

Info

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME is a song written by Steven Van Zandt and released by Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes on their 1991 album Better Days. Bruce Springsteen contributed to the recording of the song, singing second lead vocal. The above lyrics are for Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes' album version of IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME as released in 1991.

Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- Better Days
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- Better Days

CD - Impact Records (IPTD-10445) - USA, 1991
MC - Impact Records (IPTC-10445) - USA, 1991

Bruce Springsteen also donated and contributed to the recording of ALL THE WAY HOME from the same album. The album, or at least Springsteen's parts, were recorded in mid-1991 at Sigma Sound Studios in New York City, NY.

Official Releases

In addition to its release on Better Days, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes' album version of IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME was also released as a single and included on some other official releases.

Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- It's Been A Long Time
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- It's Been A Long Time

7" single - Impact American (006-74 5027 7 / EM 211) - Germany, 1991

A1- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [Single Edit]
B1- SHAKE 'EM DOWN
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- It's Been A Long Time
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- It's Been A Long Time

CD single - Impact American (745027-2 / UK CDEM 211) - Germany, 1991

01- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [Single Edit]
02- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME
03- SHAKE 'EM DOWN
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- It's Been A Long Time
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- It's Been A Long Time

12" single - EMI (14 745027-6) - Italy, 1991

A1- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [Single Edit]
A2- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME
B1- SHAKE 'EM DOWN
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- It's Been A Long Time
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- It's Been A Long Time

7" single - Impact American (EM 211 / 7450277) - UK, 1991

A1- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [Single Edit]
B1- SHAKE 'EM DOWN
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- It's Been A Long Time
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- It's Been A Long Time

CD single - Impact American (CDEM 211 / 7450272) - UK, 1991

01- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [Single Edit]
02- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME
03- SHAKE 'EM DOWN
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- It's Been A Long Time
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- It's Been A Long Time

CD single - Impact Records (CD45-1688) - USA, 1991

Promo single. The disc comes in a regular jewel case with back insert, but no front insert.

01- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [Edit]
02- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [Album Version]
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- It's Been A Long Time
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- It's Been A Long Time

MC single - Impact Records (IPTCS-54241) - USA, 1991

A1- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME
B1- SHAKE 'EM DOWN
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- It's Been A Long Time
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- It's Been A Long Time

MC single - Impact Records (IMCS-17) - USA, 1991

Promo single. Contains the same song repeated three times on each side.

A1- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [3:58]
A2- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [3:58]
A3- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [3:58]
B1- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [3:58]
B2- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [3:58]
B3- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [3:58]
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- Juke Up One
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- Juke Up One

CD single - The Album Network (1) - USA, 1991

Promo single. Contains the same song repeated eight times.

01- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [LP Version]
02- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [Edit]
03- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [LP Version]
04- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [Edit]
05- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [LP Version]
06- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [Edit]
07- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [LP Version]
08- IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [Edit]
Various artists -- Tune Up 41
Various artists -- Tune Up 41

CD - The Network Forty (41) - USA, 1991

Promo compilation.
Various artists -- CD Compilation #20
Various artists -- CD Compilation #20

CD - MCA Records Canada (MCAD-91111) - Canada, 1991

Promo compilation. The disc comes in a regular jewel case with back insert, but no front insert.
Various artists -- 2 Meter Sessies Volume 3
Various artists -- 2 Meter Sessies Volume 3

CD - Radio Records / VARAgram (515 698-2) - Holland, 1992
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- All I Want Is Everything: The Best Of Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes (1979-1991)
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- All I Want Is Everything: The Best Of Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes (1979-1991)

CD - Rhino (R2 71426) - USA, 1993
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- Fever! The Anthology, 1976-1991
Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- Fever! The Anthology, 1976-1991

CD - Raven Records (RVCD-279) - Australia, 2008

Other versions of IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME were also officially released.

Bruce Springsteen -- Brendan Byrne Arena, New Jersey June 24, 1993
The live 24 Jun 1993 version of IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME was released on the Brendan Byrne Arena, New Jersey June 24, 1993 official live download in 2018.

Live History

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME was performed off-tour on 26 Sep 1991 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, with Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME was performed off-tour on 27 Dec 1992 at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ, with Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME was performed off-tour on 16 Jul 1994 at The Stone Pony Tent in Asbury Park, NJ, with Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, during The Stone Pony's twentieth anniversary celebration.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME was performed off-tour on 31 Jan 1998 at Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ, during the "Come Together: Jon Bon Jovi & Friends" benefit concert. The song was played with Southside Johnny and Steven Van Zandt. See the live 31 Jan 1998 version for more details.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME was performed off-tour on 16 Oct 2012 at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, NY, during a guest appearance at Right To Rock 2012, an event celebrating the tenth anniversary of the non-profit charity Little Kids Rock. The song was played with Southside Johnny.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME was performed off-tour on 22 Apr 2017 at Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, NJ, during a guest appearance at a Little Steven concert.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME was performed off-tour on 27 May 2017 at Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ, during a guest appearance at a Little Steven concert.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME was performed off-tour on 21 Sep 2017 at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ, during a guest appearance at the Laid Back Festival. The song was played with Steven Van Zandt.

  1. 26 Sep 1991 at The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ
  2. 27 Dec 1992 at The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ
  3. 16 Jul 1994 at The Stone Pony Tent, Asbury Park, NJ
  4. 31 Jan 1998 at Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ
  5. 16 Oct 2012 at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, NY
  6. 22 Apr 2017 at Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ
  7. 27 May 2017 at Count Basie Theare, Red Bank, NJ
  8. 21 Sep 2017 at PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME was performed once during World Tour 1992-1993 (104 dates, June 1992 to June 1993), on 24 Jun 1993 in East Rutherford, NJ. The song was played with Southside Johnny, Steven Van Zandt, and The Miami Horns. The 24 Jun 1993 show in East Rutherford, NJ, was billed as "Concert To Fight Hunger" (see the live 24 Jun 1993 version). The live 24 Jun 1993 version of IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME was released on the Brendan Byrne Arena, New Jersey June 24, 1993 official live download in 2018.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME was performed during all five 2003 Asbury Park holiday shows and all three 2003 Asbury Park holiday shows. These concerts were billed as "Bruce Springsteen with The Max Weinberg 7 and Friends", with The Max Weinberg 7 serving as the house band, and Springsteen bringing guests on and off the stage throughout the shows. On these shows the song was played with Southside Johnny in 2001 and with Southside Johnny and Steven Van Zandt in 2003.

  1. 03 Dec 2001 at Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
  2. 04 Dec 2001 at Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
  3. 06 Dec 2001 at Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
  4. 07 Dec 2001 at Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
  5. 08 Dec 2001 at Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
  6. 05 Dec 2003 at Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
  7. 07 Dec 2003 at Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
  8. 08 Dec 2003 at Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ

Request

Please contact me if you have scans for or info about any official release containing Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes' album version of IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME that's not mentioned on this page. I also need scans for the following releases:

  • Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes -- It's Been A Long Time || MC single - Impact Records (IPTCS-54241) - USA, 1991

Any additions, comments, or corrections to this page are welcome. You can contact me via the below form or by email: .

Available Versions

List of available versions of IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME on this website:

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [Southside Johnny's album version]
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [Live 24 Jun 1993 version]
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME [Live 31 Jan 1998 version]

Page last updated: 12 Apr 2019