Way Too Long (Audio Bullys song)

"Way Too Long"
Single by Audio Bullys
from the album Ego War
Released1 September 2003 (2003-09-01)
Length2:14 (album version)
2:54 (video edit)
LabelSource
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Audio Bullys
Audio Bullys singles chronology
"Turned Away"
(2003) 		"Way Too Long"
(2003) 		"Snake"
(2003)

"Way Too Long" is a song recorded by British duo Audio Bullys, it was released as the fourth single of their debut album Ego War on 1 September 2003 by record label Source.

Composition

"Way Too Long" is a "shouted" staccato rap track.[1] The song contains a sample of a "tiny little guitar lick" from Elvis Costello & The Attractions’ 1978 song “(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea”.[2] The song tells the fictional story of "Stevie," whom Simon Donohue from Manchester Evening News described as "some dodgy drug dealing fella [sic] who falls foul of the people he thought were his mates."[1]

Critical and commercial reception

The duo was praised for their sampling of Elvis Costello & The Attractions’ 1978 song “(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea” on the track.

Simon Donohue of Manchester Evening News opened his review by saying: "If The Streets' Mike Skinner was the amiable southern geezer, then [Audio Bullys] sound like the scoundrels who nick his mobile phone on the last tube home." Despite stating that the song is not the "best piece of bait" for their album, the writer still called it "strangely endearing."[1] Adrien Begrand of PopMatters disagreed, he praised the song for being "spectacular" despite its only over two minutes length. The author also praised their use of Costello and The Attractions' sample as "jaw-dropping" and "mesmerizing."[2]

The single is their first failed to chart in the United Kingdom, however, it was the duo's first song to chart on Netherlands' Single Top 100. Debuting on the chart at number 86 on 13 September 2003, the song dropped to number 98 on its second and last week.[3]

Music video

The music video of "Way Too Long" was directed by British director Jake Nava.[4]

Track listings and formats

UK 12" single[5]

  1. "Way Too Long" (Switch Remix) – 5:51
  2. "Way Too Long" (D's BHQ Rub) – 7:23

UK enhanced maxi single[6]

  1. "Way Too Long" (Album Version) – 2:14
  2. "Way Too Long" (Switch Remix) – 5:51
  3. "Way Too Long" (Derrick L. Carter's BHQ Rub) – 7:23
  4. "Way Too Long" (Video Edit) – 2:54
  5. "Way Too Long" (Video) – 3:21

Credits

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Ego War.[7]

Recording and management

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance for "Way Too Long"
Chart (2003) Peak
position
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[3] 86

References

  1. ^ a b c Donohue, Simon (August 10, 2004). "Audio Bullys - Way Too Long (Source Records)". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Begrand, Adrien (July 30, 2003). "Audio Bullys - Ego War review". PopMatters. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Audio Bullys – Way Too Long" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  4. ^ "Anonymous Content Signs Director Jake Nava" (Press release). StudioDaily.com. Anonymous Content. December 11, 2006. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  5. ^ Way Too Long (12" single). Audio Bullys. United Kingdom: Source. 2003. 07243-552977-6-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ Way Too Long (Enhanced maxi single). Audio Bullys. United Kingdom: Source. 2003. 07243-552977-09.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ Ego War (Compact Disc liner notes). Audio Bullys. United Kingdom: Source. 2003. 724358238822.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)