The song "How Long" by Lipps Inc. was released in 1981 and reached No. 4 on the U.S. dance chart. It was originally a hit for the band Ace before Lipps Inc. covered it. Lipps Inc., the American disco and funk group from Minneapolis, was active mainly from around 1979 to 1985 before disbanding. Their peak period of success was in the early 1980s with hits like "Funkytown" in 1980 and "How Long" in 1981. The group released four albums before disbanding two years after their last album in 1983. Therefore, if referring to the song "How Long" by Lipps Inc., it was released in 1981. If inquiring about the duration of Lipps Inc.'s active years, they were active roughly from 1979 to 1985.