Introduction
“Long Way to Go” is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Alan Jackson. Released on June 27, 2011, it served as the lead single from his seventeenth studio album, Thirty Miles West, and marked his debut with EMI Records Nashville after parting ways with Arista Nashville earlier that year.
In discussing the inspiration behind the song, Jackson mentioned, “Seems like every time you turn around lately there’s just something heavy going on in the world, so I felt like singing something that was kind of light and fun.” He also shared that the idea stemmed from a personal experience: “I had something to drink one time and a bug flew in it and I kinda made a note of that.”
Critical reception to “Long Way to Go” was mixed. Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe praised Jackson’s enduring vocal charm, stating, “More than twenty years in, Alan Jackson’s sounding as great as ever, delivering a vocal that’s all charm, personality and general tunefulness.” Conversely, Billy Dukes of Taste of Country offered a more critical perspective, suggesting that while Jackson’s reflections on simple life were once endearing, they now “seem lazy and dated.”
The accompanying music video, directed by Steven Goldmann, was filmed at the Square Grouper Tiki Bar in Jupiter, Florida. The narrative portrays Jackson and his band awaiting a break in the rain to shoot the video, capturing the spontaneous fun that ensues during the delay.
Chart-wise, “Long Way to Go” reached number 24 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and number 25 on the Canada Country chart, reflecting its moderate success in North America.
“Long Way to Go” exemplifies Jackson’s signature blend of storytelling and traditional country sound, offering listeners a lighthearted escape amidst life’s challenges.