"It Won't Be Long" is vocalist Alison Moyet's first single of 1991 and first single from Moyet since 1987, four years earlier. The song was the lead single from the album Hoodoo.

The single failed to enter the UK top 40, peaking at #50 for a total of four weeks, the third single of Moyet's to do so. Moyet's previous single "Love Letters

Love Letters (song)

"Love Letters" is a 1945 popular song with music by Victor Young and lyrics by Edward Heyman. The song appeared, without lyrics, in the movie of the same name, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song for 1945....

" peaked at #4 in the UK.

A promotional video was created for the single, with Moyet also performing the song on the Terry Wogan

Terry Wogan

Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...

 show.

Columbia Records

Columbia Records

Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...

 complained that the single as well as the album wasn't commercial enough.

This single was awarded a Grammy nomination for best song in 1991.

The b-side for the single "My Right A.R.M." appeared on the same album, written by Moyet and Glenister. The "A.R.M" in the song's title resembles the initials of Moyet's oldest daughter.

The second b-side for the 12" vinyl "Take of Me" was later used as the final track for Moyet's 1994 album "Essex

Essex (album)

Essex is the title of the fourth studio album of singer/songwriter Alison Moyet. The album is named after the artist's native Essex, England and includes the singles "Falling" , "Whispering Your Name", "Getting into Something" and "Ode to Boy II".Essex was again a source of controversy for the...

".

Formats

7" Single

1. "It Won't Be Long" - 3:56
2. "My Right A.R.M." - 4:45

12" Single

1. "It Won't Be Long" - 4:22
2. "My Right A.R.M." - 4:45
3. "Take of Me" - 4:00

CD Single

1. "It Won't Be Long" - 4:22
2. "My Right A.R.M." - 4:45
3. "Take of Me" - 4:00

CD Single (American promo)

1. "It Won't Be Long" - 3:43
2. "It Won't Be Long (Album Version)" - 4:14

Chart performance

Chart (1991)	Peak position
Dutch Singles Chart	43
Japanese Singles Chart	97
UK Singles Chart	50

Personnel

• Photography – Juergen Teller
• Producer – Pete Glenister
• Writers – Alison Moyet, Pete Glenister
• Mixer on "It Won't Be Long" – Steve Lillywhite
• Engineer on "It Won't Be Long" – Neil Brockbank
• Additional Engineer on "My Right A.R.M." and "Take of Me" – Neil Brockbank
• Mixer, Engineer on "My Right A.R.M." and "Take of Me" – Phil Legg