The Long Way (song)

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"The Long Way"
Single by Brett Eldredge
from the album Brett Eldredge
ReleasedAugust 21, 2017 (2017-08-21)
RecordedAugust–September 2016
StudioThe Castle (Nashville, TN)
GenreCountry
Length3:28
LabelAtlantic 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]

Content[edit]

"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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

"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[edit]

Weekly charts[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[23] Gold 40,000‡
United States (RIAA)[24] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history[edit]

Country Date Format Label Ref.
Worldwide May 12, 2017 Digital download Atlantic [25]
United States August 21, 2017 Country radio
[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "The Long Way - Brett Eldredge | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  2. ^ "Brett Eldredge Debuts New Single 'The Long Way'". Radio.com. CBS Corporation. May 12, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Future Releases for Country Radio Stations". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on August 15, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  4. ^ a b 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. ^ a b Dukes, Billy. "Lyrics Uncovered: Brett Eldredge, 'The Long Way'". Taste of Country. Townsquare Media. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  8. ^ "On Repeat: Brett Eldredge's New Self-Titled Album". Top Country. TC Inc. August 15, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  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. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  11. ^ "Hot Country Songs: The Week of June 3, 2017". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  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. ^ a b "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.
  18. ^ "Brett Eldredge Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  19. ^ "Brett Eldredge Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  20. ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2017". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  21. ^ "Country Airplay – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  22. ^ "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  23. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Brett Eldredge – The Long Way". Music Canada. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  24. ^ "American single certifications – Brett Eldredge – The Long Way". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  25. ^ "The Long Way - Brett Eldredge | Release Info". AllMusic. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
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