About The Song
In the annals of country music, few names resonate with the enduring power of Conway Twitty. Renowned for his rich baritone voice, heartfelt songwriting, and captivating stage presence, Twitty left an indelible mark on the genre, captivating audiences worldwide for over five decades. Among his vast repertoire of hits, “Have I Been Away Too Long” stands as a poignant ballad that encapsulates the universal themes of longing, regret, and the enduring power of love.
Released in 1978, “Have I Been Away Too Long” marked a turning point in Twitty’s career, showcasing his versatility as an artist and his ability to seamlessly blend country and pop sensibilities. The song’s opening notes, a gentle cascade of piano chords and a soft drumbeat, set the stage for Twitty’s emotive vocals, which effortlessly convey the protagonist’s heartfelt plea for forgiveness and reconciliation.
The lyrics, penned by Twitty himself, paint a vivid picture of a love that has been neglected, left to wither in the absence of affection. The protagonist, consumed by remorse, acknowledges his shortcomings and desperately seeks to rekindle the flame that once burned so brightly. The song’s chorus, a poignant refrain of “Have I been away too long?” echoes the protagonist’s self-doubt and yearning for a second chance.
Twitty’s masterful delivery elevates the song’s emotional resonance. His voice, imbued with a blend of tenderness and urgency, conveys the protagonist’s raw emotions, drawing the listener into the depths of his despair. The song’s instrumentation, a delicate interplay of acoustic guitar, piano, and subtle strings, perfectly complements Twitty’s vocals, creating an atmosphere of wistful longing.
“Have I Been Away Too Long” resonated deeply with audiences, becoming a chart-topping hit and a staple of Twitty’s live performances. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its ability to capture the complexities of human relationships and the enduring power of love. Twitty’s heartfelt performance and the song’s relatable lyrics have solidified its place as a timeless classic, continuing to touch the hearts of listeners across generations.
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Lyric
Have I been, have I been away, been awayThere’s a chance that I won’t know youMaybe I won’t like youIt’s a long, it’s such a longLady it’s been a long timeWe were lovers in a different storyCan you duplicate itCan we make, can we make upCan we make up the time girlHave I been away, have I been awayHave I been away, have I been away from you for too longHave I been away, have I been awayHave I been away, I’m afraid to say that I’ve been away for too longLeft a message that I’d be in town, I wish I hadn’t sent itI’m playin’, I’m playing, playing with disasterYou’re so close, I almost feel you breathingMaking me twitchy, yeah, I want, I, I wanna, I want to be wrong girlHave I been away, have I been awayI’m afraid to say that I’ve been away, away, away from you too longHave I been away, have I been away, have I been awayI’m afraid to say that I’ve been away from you too long, too longYou’re so close I almost feel you breathingMaking me twitchyI want, I, I wanna, I want, I want, I want, I wantI want to be wrong girl, oh I been away, I been awayI been away, I been away from you too longHave I been, have I been, have I beenHave I been, and I know I’ve been away from you too longOh, it’s too bad, oh, it’s too bad, oh, it’s too badBut I know, but I know, but I know I’ve been away girlI’ve been away from you girlHave I been away from you too longOh, I’ve been away, have I been away girlOh, it’s too bad, but it’s too badBut it’s too bad, too bad, too badOh, but I’ve been away girl