Long Way to Go (Gwen Stefani and André 3000 song)

"Long Way to Go"
Song by Gwen Stefani and André 3000
from the album Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
ReleasedNovember 23, 2004
Recorded2003-04
Genre
Length4:34
LabelInterscope
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)André 3000

"Long Way to Go" is a song by American singer-songwriter Gwen Stefani with American rapper André 3000. The song appears as the closing track on Stefani's debut studio album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby. (2004). It was released on November 23, 2004 by Interscope Records. The track was written by both Stefani and 3000. The song also includes a sample from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech.

Background

"Long Way to Go" was originally recorded in 2003 during recording sessions for both of Stefani and 3000's then upcoming studio albums.[1] André 3000's original version of the song had Stefani as a featured artist and he originally recorded for the Outkast's The Love Below album.[2][3]

Writing and production

Lyrically, Long Way to Go is about prejudices against dating someone from a different race.[4] The line, "When snow hits the asphalt / Cold looks and bad talk come" is used as a metaphor for the nasty comments people receive when dating someone of the opposite race.[5] Long Way to Go also includes a sample from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech.[6] Long Way to Go was written by Stefani and 3000 and was also produced by 3000.[1][7]

Track listings and formats

US Digital download[8]
  1. "Long Way to Go" (with André 3000) – 4:34
Interscope Records Sampler[9]
  • A1 "Rich Girl" (featuring Eve) – 3:56
  • A2 "Hollaback Girl" – 3:19
  • A3 "Bubble Pop Electric" (featuring Johnny Vulture) – 3:42
  • B1 "Long Way to Go" (with André 3000) – 4:34
  • B2 "Harajuku Girls" – 4:51
  • B3 "Cool" – 3:09

Credits and personnel

Management
  • Recorded at Stankonia Recording, Atlanta; Larabee Sound Studio East, Los Angeles; and Soundcastle Studios, Los Angeles.
Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Love. Angel. Music. Baby.[7]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Moss, Corey; Downey, Ryan (April 18, 2003). "Gwen Stefani Recording Solo Material". MTV News. Viacom. Archived from the original on November 19, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  2. ↑ Smirke, Richard (November 23, 2004). "Gwen Stefani: Love. Angel. Music. Baby (2004) review". Playlouder. Archived from the original on November 24, 2004. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  3. ↑ Wikipedians. Gwen Stefani Discography. p. 7. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  4. ↑ Sylvester, Nick. "Gwen Stefani: Love Angel Music Baby". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  5. ↑ Roberts, Randall (28 August 2013). "10 notable samples of MLK's March on Washington 'Dream' speech". LA Times. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  6. ↑ "Martin Had A Dream: 8 Songs That Sample Martin Luther King Jr.'s Historic Speech". Vibe. 28 August 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Love. Angel. Music. Baby. (CD liner notes). Gwen Stefani. Interscope Records. 2004. B0003469-02.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ↑ "iTunes (U.S.) – Music – Gwen Stefani – Love, Angel, Music, Baby". iTunes (U.S.). October 27, 2005. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Gwen Stefani – Untitled". Discogs. 2004. Retrieved 30 December 2015.