"Billy Joel" - The Longest Time

This song is entirely a capella. I hear Billy Joel on lead vocals, finger snapping, and four background vocalists, including a very low bass. I don't know if some of the background vocals are sung by Billy Joel himself, but I can easily see him singing the higher voices.

Other than the chorus, this is in rounded binary form: A A B" A B" A. There is a repeat of the first A section, as well as the B"A sections.

Chorus:
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
*Not really any form for this section. I love the bass guy's little solos.

A section:
If you said goodbye to me tonight
There would still be music left to write (HC)
What else could I do
I'm so inspired by you
That hasn't happened for the longest time (PAC)
*This is a contrasting assymetrical period. The background vocals do a lot of "ooo"ing and "aaa"ing. They sing the lyrics on "for the longest time."

Repeat of A section:
Once I thought my innocence was gone
Now I know that happiness goes on (HC)
That's where you found me
When you put your arms around me
I haven't been there for the longest time (PAC)

Chorus:
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time

A section:
I'm that voice you're hearing in the hall
And the greatest miracle of all (HC)
Is how I need you
And how you needed me too
That hasn't happened for the longest time (PAC)

B section:
Maybe this won't last very long
But you feel so right
And I could be wrong (HC)
Maybe I've been hoping too hard
But I've gone this far
And it's more that I hoped for (HC)
*This is a parallel symmetrical period - it is progressive in that it is in a minor key, but modulates right back to the original key.
*The background vocals do a little arpeggiating on "bong", followed by a "duadua" - very cute.

A:
Who knows how much further we'll go on
Maybe I'll be sorry when you're gone (HC)
I'll take my chances
I forgot how nice romance is
I haven't been there for the longest time (PAC)

B:
I had second thoughts at the start
I said to myself
Hold on to your heart (HC)
Now I know the woman that you are
You're wonderful so far
And it's more that I hoped for (HC)

A:
I don't care what consequence it brings
I have been a fool for lesser things (HC)
I want you so bad
I think you ought to know that
I intend to hold you for The longest time (PAC)