How Come, How Long#Chart

The track was written, produced and performed by Babyface as a duet with American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, who also co-wrote the song. The lyrics deal with domestic violence and is inspired by the Nicole Brown Simpson case.{{cite web |title=Babyface - Timeline |work=Rock on the Net|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/artists-b/babyface_main.htm|access-date=January 12, 2009}}

On the Entertainment Weekly review of The Day, David Browne wrote that this "domestic-abuse saga" needed "tougher music to make its point".{{cite magazine |title=Baby Grand |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |last=Browne |first=David |url=https://ew.com/article/1996/11/01/day/|date=November 1, 1996|access-date=January 12, 2009|publisher=Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc.}} A reviewer from Music Week rated the song four out of five, stating that "Wonder's input (singing and harmonica-playing) is obvious on this emotionally-charged soul ballad".{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-05-17.pdf|title=Reviews: Singles|magazine=Music Week|date=May 17, 1997|page=13|accessdate=May 26, 2022}} The magazine's Alan Jones viewed it as "a worthy social commentary piece (about wife beating)".{{cite magazine|first=Alan|last=Jones|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-05-24.pdf|title=Talking Music|magazine=Music Week|date=May 24, 1997|page=18|accessdate=May 26, 2022}}

The accompanying music video for this song, directed by F. Gary Gray, shows several residents of an apartment building ignoring the shouts, screams, and arguments between a married couple, ending with a twist, showing that the woman killed her abusive husband, ending with her being arrested. This video received a nomination for Best R&B Video at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards, which was awarded to "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy (Sean Combs) featuring Faith Evans and 112.{{cite web |title=1997 MTV Video Music Awards|work=Rock on the Net|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1997/mtvvmas.htm|date=September 4, 1997|access-date=January 12, 2009}} It also was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video, losing to "Got 'til It's Gone" by Janet Jackson.

• US CD single{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1447060|pure_url=yes}}|title=How Come, How Long |access-date=January 12, 2009|publisher=Macromedia Corporation |work=AllMusic}}

1. "How Come, How Long" – 5:11
2. "Every Time I Close My Eyes" (Timbaland remix) – 4:23

• UK CD single (XPCD2161){{cite web |url=http://eil.com/shop/moreinfo.asp?catalogid=292716|title=How Come, How Long Radio Edit |access-date=January 12, 2009|work=Eli.com}}

1. "How Come, How Long" (Radio edit) – 4:12

• CD maxi single (EPC 664402 2){{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/release/1032603|title=How Come, How Long CD Maxi single|access-date=January 12, 2009|work=Discogs|date=May 27, 1997 }}

1. "How Come, How Long" (radio edit) – 4:12
2. "How Come, How Long" (Natty & Slaps remix) – 5:08
3. "How Come, How Long" (Laws & Craigie remix) – 6:28
4. "Every Time I Close My Eyes" (Timbaland remix) – 4:55

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{{Certification Table Entry|artist=Babyface|award=Platinum|certyear=1997|region=Australia|title=How Come, How Long|type=single}}

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The following people contributed to "How Come, How Long":

• Babyface — main performer and producer
• Stevie Wonder — vocals, harmonica
• Timbaland — producer, remixing
• Jimmy Douglas — remixing
• Jon Gass — mixing
• Benny Medina — management
• Anton Corbijn — photography

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.rhapsody.com/babyface/theday/howcomehowlong/lyrics.html Song Lyrics] on Rhapsody
• [http://www.imeem.com/magicsword/music/_gKGlWew/baby_face_how_come_how_long Listen to the song]

{{Babyface}}

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Category:1990s ballads

Category:1997 singles

Category:1997 songs

Category:Babyface (musician) songs

Category:Stevie Wonder songs

Category:Male vocal duets

Category:Music videos directed by F. Gary Gray

Category:Songs written by Babyface (musician)

Category:Songs written by Stevie Wonder

Category:Song recordings produced by Babyface (musician)

Category:Songs about domestic violence

Category:Soul ballads