11 Songs in It for the Long Haul, Vol. 1 | Playlist

1. Florida Georgia Line, “Long Live”

Life Rolls On • Big Machine • 2021

Country duo Florida Georgia Line are polarizing.  Some love ‘em while others aren’t fans.  Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, well established at this point, are doing little to move the needle in their career. Perhaps they don’t really need to, but if FGL started out with slightly more innovative spirit, well, it’s fallen by the wayside. Of course, the death of bro country hurts them too. The long song at hand, “Long Live”, is a respectable opener on Life Rolls On (2021), but no progressive step forward.

“Long Live” was written by Kelley and Hubbard alongside Corey Crowder, David Garcia, Josh Miller (Crowder, Hubbard, and Kelley produce).  One positive is the duration; it runs just runs past two-and-a-half-minute mark.  The twang is heavy – another   polarizing feature.  The bros keep the verses brief and pretty cliché:

“It’s going down ‘round these pick-up trucks
Yeah, it’s cold cans and Dixie cups.”

The same can be said about the chorus, which is country and southern to the core:

“Long live all the small towners, sunup to sundowners
That old school Haggard and Hank
Long live longneck bottles and wide-open throttles
And old dirt roads with no name
Long live them country girls, long legs and cut up jeans
Long live this way of life, long live nights like these
Long live, long live, long live
Long live nights like these.”

“Long Live” ‘is what it is’ – not the second coming, but totally inoffensive.

2. Taylor Swift, “long story short”

evermore • Taylor Swift • 2020

“And I fell from the pedestal / Right down the rabbit hole / Long story short, it was a bad time.” “Long Story Short,” I’d argue, is one of the ‘deep’ cuts on Evermore, the second surprise album from Grammy-winning musician Taylor Swift in 2020.  While “Long Story Short” doesn’t top the list of songs we recognize the most on evermore, ultimately, it contributes to the excellence of the folklore companion piece.

Following the balladry of “Cowboy Like Me” (featuring Marcus Mumford) in the context of the album, “Long Story Short” picks up the pace and features more electronic elements.  The sound can be described as more adult alternative as opposed to folk.  Listening to it, this record feels like it could’ve appeared and been at home on a The National LP.  Of course, Aaron Dessner co-writes with Swift and produces the track.

“Pushed from the precipice
Clung to the nearest lips
Long story short, it was the wrong guy.”

Like the majority of Evermore, those catchy Taylor Swift choruses are still a go, as excerpted above.

3. A$AP Rocky, “Long Live A$AP”

Long.Live.A$AP • RCA • 2013

“Long Live A$AP” commences Long.Live.A$AP, the 2013 debut album by rapper A$AP Rocky, mysteriously.  Overall, the production is distinct – diverse in the rap landscape when it was released. Following thundering sound effects, a unique groove settles in, and Rocky is on ‘autopilot.’

Rocky’s flow is utterly compelling – solid to the nth degree. He serves up pointed lines like, “I ain’t kidding, hid yo kittens, hit yo children with that Smith and…” as well as, “My Santa Claus was missing, catch you slippin’ then it Christmas…” Woo! After presenting hard bravado and intriguing, colorful word play, he sings the chorus!

“Who said, you can’t live forever lied
Of course, I’m living forever I’ll
Forever, I’ll live long
You can’t ever deny
My flaws, I’m living forever I’ll
Forever, I’ll live.”

“Long Live A$AP” was part of a fine introduction to one of the more interesting rappers in the 2010s.  No “F**kin’ Problems” to be found here!

4. Toni Braxton, “Long as I Live”

Sex & Cigarettes • Def Jam • 2018

Grammy-winning R&B artist Toni Braxton returned with her first solo album in nearly eight years, Sex & Cigarettes.  Among the best moments from the album is the glorious “Long as I Live”. “Long as I Live” arrives as the second single and third track on the brief LP.  So much feels right about this ‘long’ record.

It starts with the voice. Toni, 50 at the time “Long as I Live” arrived, certainly doesn’t sound 50.  Honestly, she sounds as refined and vibrant as she did ‘back in the day.’ The voice is the biggest selling point of this enthusiastic, mid-tempo joint, with those cues and nuances that are signature of Braxton. Adding to the greatness of the lead vocals are the warm backing vocals, which incite nostalgia.  The chorus is terrific, as Toni does Toni. While not game changing, “Long as I Live” is rock-solid, well-written, adult contemporary R&B song without question.

5. Ruel, “As Long as You Care”

Bright Lights, Red Eyes [EP] •  RCA • 2020

“I’m sun-dried, my lips are high on overdrive / I’m so tired,” Ruel (Ruel Vincent Van Dijk) sings on the first verse of “as long as you care” ( Bright Lights, Red Eyes [EP]), continuing, “I’m sorry if I’m low on confidence… / I’m sorry, but my brain is fried.” The Australian teen heartthrob has a truly rich, soulful, and expressive voice.  He sings with incredible authenticity, expression, and nuance on this co-write with producer M-Phazes.

M-Phazes production delivers some sensational throwback vibes from the R&B of the past, yet the sounds are also fresh. Matters of the heart take front and center. Furthermore, the catchy, memorable chorus serves as the centerpiece:

“But don’t cry, I know that you care
You have no idea
It’s all bright lights and red eyes
Bright lights and red eyes.”

Ruel = musical godsend.

Also appears on :
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6. Cassie, “Long Way 2 Go”

Cassie • Bad Boy • 2006

“You say you wanna come see me / Cause you know your girlfriend wanna be me, uh / (I’ma tell you why you can’t) Said you got a long way to go.” Sure, “Me & U” was the track to beat on Cassie, the 2006 debut album by, you guessed it, Cassie! That said, follow up “Long Way 2 Go” proved to be a gem.  Of course, sadly, the Bad Boy artist fizzled out after her debut.

Focusing on the positives, “Long Way 2 Go” is a joy to listen to.  The production is sick ( Ryan Leslie) with its beat and whacky synths.  As illustrated earlier, the lyrics pack a punch while Cassie exhibits cool energy – attitude without breaking a sweat.  She’s sexy and so is her performance.  She never over sings, and while her modesty is too modest at times, all in all, her subtle approach works superbly.  This guy wants her, but bro is going to have to work at it:

“Wanna love me, wanna touch me
Think twice cause you got a long way to go (Got a long way to go)
Don't know how to act, better fall back (Uh, better fall back)
It's like that cause you got a long way to go (Yeah, uh).”

7. Charlie Puth, “How Long”

Voicenotes • Artist Partner Group • 2018

“How Long” ( Voicenotes) shows the expansion of adorkable Grammy nominee Charlie Puth artistically – at least to a certain degree. The production moves beyond the safety of his oft-sanitized 2016 debut, Nine Track Mind.  “How Long” features funky, soulful production (!) which thrives off groove and complements the light, airy nature of Puth’s voice exceptionally well.

As angelic as Puth and “How Long” sounds, Charlie has been a naughty boy. He’s been creeping.

“I’ll admit, I was wrong, what else can I say, girl?
Can’t you blame my head and not my heart?
I was drunk, I was gone, that don’t make it right, but
Promise there were no feelings involved.”

Unfortunately, he broke the seventh commandment – “Thou shall not commit adultery.” Rightfully, his bae is pissed, and has been feeling the effects of his adulterous ways.  Shame on you, you adorkable cheater you!

“How long has this been goin’ on?
You’ve been creepin’ ‘round on me
While you’re callin’ me, ‘baby’.”

8. Halsey, “Forever … (is a long time)”

Manic • Capitol • 2020

Halsey (Ashley Frangipane) delivered the best album of her career, three albums in, with Manic.  Surprisingly, Manic went ignored by The Grammys, but we can’t forget that her snubs arrive the same year as The Weeknd and After Hours – woo! Despite not receiving just due, Manic has no shortage of intriguing records, including “Forever … (is a long time).”

According to Halsey, “Forever … (is a long time)” marks the first song of a trio of songs that are meant to be listened to successively (“Forever…”, “Dominic’s Interlude”, and “I HATE EVERYBODY”).  Fair enough.  “Forever” is interesting, beginning in a major key, comprised of intro and verse, before an interlude shifts to a minor key. Honestly, the minor section might be the crowning achievement, with Frangipane bringing more bite.

“Build love, build God, build provinces
Build calluses, break promises
‘Cause I could never hold a perfect thing and not demolish it.”

The keyword is EMOTION.  Also, the production (co-produced with Lido) at the end kicks ass.

9. Jidenna, “Long Live the Chief”

The Chief • Epic • 2017

“Niggas fighting over rings / Niggas wanna be the king, but / Long live the chief…” Woo! Jidenna first created a buzz back in 2015 with a single entitled “Classic Man” (“I’m a classic man / You can be mean when you look this clean, I’m a classic man”).  In 2017, the Nigerian American rapper/singer quietly released his debut album, The Chief.  The brief “Long Live the Chief” arrives as one of the best moments from The Chief.

On “Chief,” Jidenna has an edgy backdrop to spit tough, unapologetic rhymes over.  One of his best rhymes from the sole verse addresses his fashion style:

“Now they say, ‘Jidenna why you dressing so classic?’
I don’t want my best dressed day in a casket.”

Can’t deny, that’s lit right there! But, then again, there’s also that killer Harvard rejection and Fresh Prince reference:

“Really, I ain’t met nobody smarter
That’s why I got admitted but I still rejected Harvard
I’m the fresh prince, in a school where they couldn’t read
Mama put me in a school with the Kennedys.”

Adding to the accomplished track is hook, which appears at the beginning and end of this brief cut (excerpted above).

10. Justin Bieber, “As Long as You Love Me”

Ft. Big Sean

Believe • The Island Def Jam Music Group • 2012

These days, Grammy winning pop artist Justin Bieber is in a different place compared to back in the day.  In the early 10s, Bieber had his fair share of growing pains, failing to handle fame well.  Of course, worth noting, Justin became famous as a teen, becoming the heartthrob of a plethora of teen girls and a sheer, hated annoyance to teen boys (or maybe, they were jealous).  Regardless, with “As Long as You Love Me,” a highlight from his 2012 album, Believe, we take a stroll down memory lane.  On “As Long as You Love Me,” Bieber tapped Big Sean for the assist.  Memorably, Sean proclaims, “I don’t know if this makes sense, but, you’re my hallelujah.” If you must ask Sean, then, NO, it doesn’t make sense.

The good news for Big Sean is “As Long as You Love Me” is a teen-pop song, so, some silliness and nonsense is no problem.  Revisiting this classic of the Bieber catalog, one should note that the song sounds unapologetically 2012, with the dubstep-laden production ( Andre Lindal and Rodney Jerkins) – stuttering drums and maniacal sounding synths.  While sleek production work hasn’t faded, the dubstep movement did, interestingly.  At the time, though, this was a prime example of the pop sound.  As far as Bieber’s performance, he shows growth from his “One Time” days.  The refrain, sung in falsetto stands out, with the gimmicky lyric, “As long as you l-l-l-l Love me…,” is a surefire highlight. His ad-libs are successful too.

11. Aretha Franklin, “The Long and Winding Road”

Young, Gifted and Black • Atlantic • 1972

Aretha Franklin is one of the greatest musicians of all-time. Her voice is nothing short of amazing, angelic, anointed, heaven-sent. ‘The Queen of Soul’ possesses a rich catalog of music, interestingly, with some of her best songs being covers.  Franklin could sing any- and everything, so, that’s not surprising when you consider her vocal gifts.

She made The Beatles’ classic, “The Long and Winding Road,” truly her own. While The Beatles own the definitive version, Franklin adds deep, southern soul, completely transforming it on her 1972 remake.  It’s one of many gems on an album filled with awesome covers, Young, Gifted and Black (1972), any of which would be at home on 13 Ear Catching Covers, Vol. 2.

Also appears on :

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