It's Been a Long, Long Time

"It's Been a Long, Long Time"
Song by Harry James and Kitty Kallen
Released	1945
Genre	Pop
Length	3:24
Writer(s)	Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn

"It's Been A Long, Long Time" is a 1945 popular song, written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn, that became a major hit at the end of World War II. The lyrics are written from the perspective of a person welcoming home his or her spouse or lover at the end of the war.

The lyrics to the song were originally written by James Terlingo in 1932. The copyright by James Terlingo in 1932 took place on March 29th, 1932. Terlingo later sold the rights to the song.

The music was written by Jule Styne, the lyrics by Sammy Cahn:

A recording by Harry James with vocal by Kitty Kallen. reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on November 24, 1945. An alternate version by Bing Crosby accompanied by The Les Paul Trio was also working its way up the charts. It replaced the James' version at No. 1 on December 8, 1945. Crosby's lasted a week at No. 1, ousted by Sammy Kaye's "Chickery Chick." The Harry James recording then returned to the top spot on December 22 for another week.

In 1945 it was standard practice in the record industry for labels to release "competing" versions of hit songs. Other recordings of "It's Been A Long, Long Time" that charted in 1945 were recorded by Charlie Spivak & His Orchestra (with vocal by Irene Daye) and Stan Kenton & His Orchestra (vocal by June Christy).

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