The Long Way (song)

Last updated
"The Long Way"
Brett Eldredge - The Long Way (single cover).jpg
Single by Brett Eldredge
from the album Brett Eldredge
ReleasedAugust 21, 2017 (2017-08-21)
RecordedAugust–September 2016
Studio The Castle (Nashville, TN)
Genre Country
Length3:28
Label Atlantic Nashville
Songwriter(s)
  • Brett Eldredge
  • Matthew J Rogers
Producer(s)
Brett Eldredge singles chronology
"Somethin' I'm Good At"
(2017)
"The Long Way"
(2017)
"Love Someone"
(2018)

"The Long Way" is a song written and recorded by American country music singer Brett Eldredge for his self-titled third studio album (2017). Matthew J Rogers co-wrote the song, while Ross Copperman co-produced the song with Eldredge. [1] It was first released digitally on May 12, 2017 as a promotional single for the album. [2] "The Long Way" was serviced to American country radio on August 21, 2017 through Atlantic Records and Warner Music Nashville as the second official single from Brett Eldredge. [3]

Contents

Content

"The Long Way" is a midtempo country ballad with influences of pop music. [4] The song is "a look into what I want to find in love," according to a press release from Eldredge. [5] Lyrically, the song describes how a lover can get to know their partner on a deeper level by exploring their history and their hometown. [6] "The Long Way" was written at a time where Eldredge was looking for true love and his cowriter, Matt Rogers, was soon to be married, which inspired the romantic lyrics. [7] Certain details were inspired by the writers' upbringings while others were generalized. [7]

Critical reception

Cillea Houghton of Sounds Like Nashville wrote that "The Long Way" is a "standout track" on the album that "allows his voice to shine," and is a "real charmer." [4] Top Country also labelled the song as a highlight of the album, writing, "the emotional melodies intertwine with the lyrics to make the story come to life, like any perfect country song." [8] Taylor Weatherby of Billboard included "The Long Way" on a list of Eldredge's 10 best songs and wrote, "this love song from his latest record proves that he has quite the range -- while also giving further proof that he’s a king at writing lyrics that make you melt." [9]

Music video

The music video was directed by Jim Shea and premiered on CMT, GAC & CMT Music in October 2017. It features Eldredge and Sadie Robertson dancing. The video has since reached over 22 million views. [10]

Chart performance

"The Long Way" debuted at number 41 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated June 3, 2017. [11] The song sold 11,000 copies in its first week, debuting at number 14 on the Country Digital Song Sales component chart. [12] The song re-entered the chart at number 38 for the week of August 26, 2017 and has since reached a peak position of 23. [13] [14] "The Long Way" debuted at number 56 on the Country Airplay chart dated September 9, 2017. [15] The song has sold 137,000 copies in the United States as of March 2018. [16]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2017–2018)Peak
position
Canada Country ( Billboard ) [17] 7
US Billboard Hot 100 [18] 65
US Country Airplay ( Billboard ) [19] 3
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [14] 7

Year-end charts

Chart (2017)Position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard) [20] 97
Chart (2018)Position
US Country Airplay (Billboard) [21] 13
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard) [22] 34


Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [23] Gold40,000
United States (RIAA) [24] Platinum1,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

CountryDateFormatLabelRef.
WorldwideMay 12, 2017 Digital download Atlantic [25]
United StatesAugust 21, 2017 Country radio [3]

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References

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  2. "Brett Eldredge Debuts New Single 'The Long Way'". Radio.com . CBS Corporation. May 12, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Future Releases for Country Radio Stations". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on August 15, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  4. 1 2 Houghton, Cillea (August 2, 2017). "Album Review: Brett Eldredge's Self-Titled Fourth Album". Sounds Like Nashville. SpinMedia . Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  5. Brickey, Kelly (August 11, 2017). "Brett Eldredge Gets Vulnerable About Love in 'The Long Way'". Sounds Like Nashville. SpinMedia . Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  6. Stefano, Angela (August 7, 2017). "Brett Eldredge Shares 'The Long Way' as Next Single [LISTEN]". The Boot. Townsquare Media . Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  7. 1 2 Dukes, Billy. "Lyrics Uncovered: Brett Eldredge, 'The Long Way'". Taste of Country . Townsquare Media . Retrieved September 9, 2017.
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  9. Weatherby, Taylor (August 14, 2017). "Brett Eldredge's 10 Best Songs: Critic's Picks". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  10. "The Long Way". Youtube. 17 October 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
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  12. Bjorke, Matt (May 23, 2017). "Top 30 Digital Country Singles Chart: May 23, 2017". Roughstock. Cheri Media. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  13. "Hot Country Songs: The Week of August 26, 2017". Billboard . Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  14. 1 2 "Brett Eldredge Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  15. "Chart history for "The Long Way" on Country Airplay". Billboard . Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  16. Bjorke, Matt (March 28, 2018). "Top 30 Digital Country Singles: March 28, 2019". Roughstock. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  17. "Brett Eldredge Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
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  21. "Country Airplay – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  22. "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
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  24. "American single certifications – Brett Eldredge – The Long Way". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved August 12, 2022.
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