🔘 How Long – Single: Feb. 1982

A Tonight I’m Yours–era single backed with Jealous, entering the UK charts in early 1982.

🔘 – Overview

Released in February 1982, “How Long” arrived as a UK single on Riva Records (RIVA 35), backed with “Jealous.” Both tracks were taken from Rod Stewart’s 1981 album Tonight I’m Yours, a record that blended glossy pop‑rock with new‑wave influences and marked one of Stewart’s most commercially confident early‑80s periods.

The single entered the UK Singles Chart on February 27, 1982, beginning a four‑week run that carried it to a peak position of No. 41. It remained on the chart until March 20, 1982. Though not a major hit, the single contributed to the strong momentum of the Tonight I’m Yours era, which produced several international successes.

Origin of the Song

“How Long” was written by Paul Carrack, originally recorded by his band Ace in 1974. Stewart’s 1982 version is a reinterpretation of Carrack’s composition, giving the song a smoother, early‑80s pop‑rock sheen. The B‑side, “Jealous,” was co‑written by Stewart, Carmine Appice, Duane Hitchings, and Kevin Savigar, and appears on Tonight I’m Yours as one of the album’s more muscular rock tracks.

🔘 – Track List

UK 7" Single — Riva Records – RIVA 35 — 1982

Side A

How Long

Written by Paul Carrack

Produced by Rod Stewart & Jim Cregan

Side B

Jealous

Written by Appice, Johnson, Davis, Stewart

Produced by Rod Stewart & Jim Cregan

🔘 – Variants

• 7", 45 RPM, Single — Riva – RIVA 35 — UK — 1982

• 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo — Riva – RIVA 35 — UK — 1982

🔘 – Chart Performance

United Kingdom — Official Singles Chart

Peak Position: 41

Weeks on Chart: 4

Chart Run (February 27, 1982 → March 20, 1982)

• February 27, 1982 → 41

• March 6, 1982 → 45

• March 13, 1982 → 53

• March 20, 1982 → 60

🔘 – Context & Notes

• A‑side written by Paul Carrack (Ace)

• B‑side from Tonight I’m Yours (1981)

• Produced by Rod Stewart & Jim Cregan

• Pressed by WEA Records Pressing Plant, West Drayton

• Mastered at Strawberry Mastering

• Published by Copyright Control / Riva Music Ltd.

🔘 – Visual Archive

Rod Stewart – How Long (1982), backed with Jealous.

🔘 – Related Material

• Tonight I’m Yours (1981)

• “Young Turks” (1981)

• “Tonight I’m Yours (Don’t Hurt Me)” (1981)

🔘 – Discography

Tonight I’m Yours — 1981

How Long — 1982

Baby Jane — 1983

🔘 – Mini‑Timeline

✦ October 1981 — Tonight I’m Yours released

✦ February 1982 — How Long single issued

✦ February 27, 1982 — Enters UK chart

✦ March 20, 1982 — Final chart week

🔘 – Flashback

A sleek early‑80s reinterpretation of Paul Carrack’s classic, How Long shows Stewart leaning into polished pop‑rock while still carrying the grit of his earlier work.

🔘 – Closing Notes

Though not a major chart success, How Long remains a notable single from Stewart’s early‑80s reinvention — a confident, radio‑friendly cut from a strong commercial era.

🔘 – Sources

Discogs

Music Charts Archive (lyrics/origin reference) musicchartsarchive.com