Ellie Goulding's song "How Long Will I Love You" is a cover of the original by the Waterboys, written by Mike Scott and released in 1990. Goulding's version was released on November 10, 2013, as the second single from the reissue of her album Halcyon Days. It also served as the official song for the BBC's 2013 Children in Need appeal and appeared on the soundtrack of the film About Time (though not featured in the film itself)
. The song is a gentle, heartfelt love ballad expressing enduring love with lyrics like:
- "How long will I love you? As long as stars are above you and longer if I can."
- "How long will I need you? As long as the seasons need to follow their plan."
- "How long will I be with you? As long as the sea is bound to wash upon the sand."
- "How long will I want you? As long as you want me to and longer by far."
- "How long will I hold you? As long as your father told you, as long as you can."
- "How long will I give to you? As long as I live through you, however long you say."
These lyrics emphasize timeless, unconditional love and commitment, using natural and familial imagery to convey the depth and endurance of affection
. Ellie Goulding made slight changes to some lines from the original, notably the line "How long will I hold you? As long as your father told you," which suggests a protective, enduring love akin to that of a father’s care, reinforcing the theme of love as a safe and lasting bond
. Musically, the song is soft and easygoing, with Ellie’s distinct, emotive voice complementing the gentle instrumentation, making it a tender and accessible love song
. In summary, "How Long Will I Love You" by Ellie Goulding is a tender cover of a folk rock original, expressing a promise of love that lasts as long as natural cycles and beyond, framed in poetic, heartfelt lyrics.
