About The Long Way

"The Long Way" is a song written and recorded by American country music singer Brett Eldredge for his self-titled third studio album (2017). Matt Rogers co-wrote the song, while Ross Copperman co-produced the song with Eldredge. It was first released digitally on May 12, 2017 as a promotional single for the album. "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.

"The Long Way" is a midtempo country ballad with influences of pop music. The song is "a look into what I want to find in love," according to a press release from Eldredge. Lyrically, the song describes how a lover can get to know their partner on a deeper level by exploring their history and their hometown. "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. Certain details were inspired by the writers' upbringings while others were generalized.