Long Way 2 Go
Encyclopedia
"Long Way 2 Go" is a song by American recording artist Cassie from her debut studio album, Cassie
(2006). It was co-written by Cassie herself in collaboration with the song's producer, Ryan Leslie
. The song was released as the second and final single
from the album by Bad Boy Records
on September 22, 2006. Musically, "Long Way 2 Go" is an upbeat hip hop song featuring prominent R&B characteristics with a laid-back and imperious theme to it. It talks about brushing away a would-be lover like dirt off one's shoulder. Additional vocals are provided by Ryan Leslie.
"Long Way 2 Go" received positive reviews from contemporary critics who deemed it a stand-out on the album. It was also praised for its cool and playful nature. The single became Cassie's second consecutive top twenty hit in Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. It also garnered further chart success in Australia, France and Sweden where it peaked within the top thirty. On the Billboard Hot 100
, the single reached a peak of ninety-seven only, due to limited radio play.
The music video
accompanying "Long Way 2 Go" was directed by Erik White
. It premiered on MTV
's Total Request Live
on September 12, 2006. The video has a social networking theme to it and features Ryan Leslie playing the role of Cassie's would-be lover. Cassie has performed the song on Total Request Live and on 106 & Park
.
, she explained what the song was about: "The song is about a guy who's trying to get with me but he's got a long way to go."
positively reviewed "Long Way 2 Go", deeming it a "sassy smash-in-the-make that should prove popular with fans of Nelly Furtado
's 'Promiscuous
'." Cinquemani went on to praise Cassie's rapping in the song's verses, saying: "Cassie raps the verses in a nonchalant, dispassionate tone, as if she's dismissing the advances of a poor boy while simultaneously blowing on freshly painted fingernails". The Slant Magazine reviewer mentioned the lines "I love it when they try to get intimate/Even though they know I really ain't into it" as a highlight. Allmusic's Andy Kellman said that "the snapping and swirling 'Long Way 2 Go' is just as irresistable in its flippant playfulness [as 'Me & U']." Kellman elaborated: "Cassie scolds a hopeless suitor with such cutting nonchalance -- she's basically swatting a fly-- that you can see her delivering the lines by cellphone as she eyes a display of designer shoes." Doriah Lynskey from Blender
said that "Long Way 2 Go" is as coolly imperious as "Me & U". Lynskey positively described its lyrical conception saying that in the song Cassie is "brushing away a would-be lover like dirt off her shoulder." While Daily Mirror reviewed the track saying it shows that Cassie is no one-trick pony, further describing the song as "blending cute and clever mating rituals".
Also on October 19, the single peaked and debuted at number twenty-eight in Sweden. "Long Way 2 Go" also achieved chart success in mainland Europe where it peaked at number forty-three in Germany and number forty-seven on European Hot 100 Singles. In France, despite peaking at a lower position (number twenty-one) than "Me & U" (number eight), "Long Way 2 Go" had a significantly longer charting length than it, spending a total of twenty-two weeks on the chart.
On October 22, 2006 "Long Way 2 Go" debuted at number thirty-eight on the UK Singles Chart
. The single's chart debut brought about Cassie holding the record of being the only artist to have two singles in the top forty (the other being "Me & U" which was at number thirty-one that week) in the same week for week forty-three of 2006. The following week, "Long Way 2 Go" climbed twenty-six places to number twelve becoming the second greatest gainer for week forty-four of 2006 on the chart. The single peaked at twelve and spent a total of twelve weeks on the chart. It subsequently became Cassie's second top twenty hit and second most successful single to-date in the United Kingdom behind "Me & U".
On December 18, 2006 "Long Way 2 Go" debuted at number eighteen in New Zealand as the third highest new entry for the week. In its fifth week on the chart the single held the record for the greatest gainer of the week; climbing seventeen places from thirty-four to peak at number seventeen. In Australia, the single debuted at number twenty-four before peaking at number twenty-three for two consecutive weeks.
In the United States, "Long Way 2 Go" had minor chart success due to limited radio play. It spent two weeks on the Billboard
Hot 100, peaking at number ninety-seven. It also peaked at number eighty-six on Billboard Pop 100
and at number twenty-nine on Billboard Rhythmic Top 40
.
about her preparing a music video for "Long Way 2 Go". She said: "We're probably doing the video in the next two or three weeks, so look out for it." It was filmed on August 17, 2006 with American music video director, Erik White
. White's previous work includes "Leave (Get Out)
" for American pop and R&B singer JoJo, as well as Chris Brown's "Run It!
" The video premiered worldwide on MTV
's Total Request Live
on September 12, 2006.
Source:
Cassie (album)
Notes* "Kiss Me" contains interpolations from "T-Shirt", written by Angela Beyincé, Vidal Davis, Garrett Hamler, Andre Harris, Beyoncé Knowles, Kelendria Rowland and Tenitra Williams, as performed by Destiny's Child.- Charts :- Personnel :...
(2006). It was co-written by Cassie herself in collaboration with the song's producer, Ryan Leslie
Ryan Leslie
Anthony Ryan Leslie, known professionally as Ryan Leslie, is a Grammy nominated American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, entrepreneur, and singer. Founder of the media company NextSelection Lifestyle Group, Leslie has produced singles for a number of artists in a variety of genres...
. The song was released as the second and final single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from the album by Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records is a record label founded in 1993 by producer/rapper/entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records.-Beginnings:...
on September 22, 2006. Musically, "Long Way 2 Go" is an upbeat hip hop song featuring prominent R&B characteristics with a laid-back and imperious theme to it. It talks about brushing away a would-be lover like dirt off one's shoulder. Additional vocals are provided by Ryan Leslie.
"Long Way 2 Go" received positive reviews from contemporary critics who deemed it a stand-out on the album. It was also praised for its cool and playful nature. The single became Cassie's second consecutive top twenty hit in Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. It also garnered further chart success in Australia, France and Sweden where it peaked within the top thirty. On the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, the single reached a peak of ninety-seven only, due to limited radio play.
The music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
accompanying "Long Way 2 Go" was directed by Erik White
Erik White
Erik White is an American director, primarily with music videos. He directed the 2010 comedy film Lottery Ticket, starring rappers Ice Cube and Bow Wow. White is also the nephew of music video director Hype Williams....
. It premiered on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Total Request Live
Total Request Live
Total Request Live is a television series on MTV that featured popular music videos. TRL was MTV's prime outlet for music videos as the network continues to concentrate on reality-based programming. In addition to music videos, TRL featured daily guests...
on September 12, 2006. The video has a social networking theme to it and features Ryan Leslie playing the role of Cassie's would-be lover. Cassie has performed the song on Total Request Live and on 106 & Park
106 & Park
106 & Park is a Top Ten Hip-Hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that airs weekdays at 6:00 PM on BET . Since its inception, it was the network's #1 rated show...
.
Background
In different fashion to previous single "Me & U", Cassie raps on "Long Way 2 Go". Speaking to MTV NewsMTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
, she explained what the song was about: "The song is about a guy who's trying to get with me but he's got a long way to go."
Critical reception
Sal Cinquemani of Slant MagazineSlant Magazine
Slant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
positively reviewed "Long Way 2 Go", deeming it a "sassy smash-in-the-make that should prove popular with fans of Nelly Furtado
Nelly Furtado
Nelly Kim Furtado is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Furtado grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.Furtado first gained fame with her debut album, Whoa, Nelly!, and its single "I'm Like a Bird", which won a 2001 Juno Award for Single of the Year and a 2002 Grammy...
's 'Promiscuous
Promiscuous (song)
"Promiscuous" is a dance-pop/R&B song by Canadian recording artist Nelly Furtado, from the album, Loose . It was written by Furtado, Timothy "Attitude" Clayton, Timbaland and Nate "Danja" Hills, with the latter pair handling production of the song...
'." Cinquemani went on to praise Cassie's rapping in the song's verses, saying: "Cassie raps the verses in a nonchalant, dispassionate tone, as if she's dismissing the advances of a poor boy while simultaneously blowing on freshly painted fingernails". The Slant Magazine reviewer mentioned the lines "I love it when they try to get intimate/Even though they know I really ain't into it" as a highlight. Allmusic's Andy Kellman said that "the snapping and swirling 'Long Way 2 Go' is just as irresistable in its flippant playfulness [as 'Me & U']." Kellman elaborated: "Cassie scolds a hopeless suitor with such cutting nonchalance -- she's basically swatting a fly-- that you can see her delivering the lines by cellphone as she eyes a display of designer shoes." Doriah Lynskey from Blender
Blender (magazine)
Blender was an American music magazine that billed itself as "the ultimate guide to music and more". It was also known for sometimes steamy pictorials of celebrities....
said that "Long Way 2 Go" is as coolly imperious as "Me & U". Lynskey positively described its lyrical conception saying that in the song Cassie is "brushing away a would-be lover like dirt off her shoulder." While Daily Mirror reviewed the track saying it shows that Cassie is no one-trick pony, further describing the song as "blending cute and clever mating rituals".
Chart performance
In Ireland, "Long Way 2 Go" debuted at number forty-nine on October 19, 2006. The single went on to peak at number fourteen and spend a total of ten weeks on the chart.Also on October 19, the single peaked and debuted at number twenty-eight in Sweden. "Long Way 2 Go" also achieved chart success in mainland Europe where it peaked at number forty-three in Germany and number forty-seven on European Hot 100 Singles. In France, despite peaking at a lower position (number twenty-one) than "Me & U" (number eight), "Long Way 2 Go" had a significantly longer charting length than it, spending a total of twenty-two weeks on the chart.
On October 22, 2006 "Long Way 2 Go" debuted at number thirty-eight on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. The single's chart debut brought about Cassie holding the record of being the only artist to have two singles in the top forty (the other being "Me & U" which was at number thirty-one that week) in the same week for week forty-three of 2006. The following week, "Long Way 2 Go" climbed twenty-six places to number twelve becoming the second greatest gainer for week forty-four of 2006 on the chart. The single peaked at twelve and spent a total of twelve weeks on the chart. It subsequently became Cassie's second top twenty hit and second most successful single to-date in the United Kingdom behind "Me & U".
On December 18, 2006 "Long Way 2 Go" debuted at number eighteen in New Zealand as the third highest new entry for the week. In its fifth week on the chart the single held the record for the greatest gainer of the week; climbing seventeen places from thirty-four to peak at number seventeen. In Australia, the single debuted at number twenty-four before peaking at number twenty-three for two consecutive weeks.
In the United States, "Long Way 2 Go" had minor chart success due to limited radio play. It spent two weeks on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot 100, peaking at number ninety-seven. It also peaked at number eighty-six on Billboard Pop 100
Pop 100
The Pop 100 was a songs chart that debuted in February 2005 and was released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States until its discontinuation in 2009...
and at number twenty-nine on Billboard Rhythmic Top 40
Rhythmic Airplay Chart
The Rhythmic Airplay Chart is an airplay chart that is featured weekly in Billboard Magazine. The chart tracks and measures the airplay of songs played on Rhythmic stations, whose playlist includes mostly hit-driven R&B/Hip-Hop, Rhythmic pop, and some Dance tracks...
.
Music video
On July 17, 2006, Cassie told MTV NewsMTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
about her preparing a music video for "Long Way 2 Go". She said: "We're probably doing the video in the next two or three weeks, so look out for it." It was filmed on August 17, 2006 with American music video director, Erik White
Erik White
Erik White is an American director, primarily with music videos. He directed the 2010 comedy film Lottery Ticket, starring rappers Ice Cube and Bow Wow. White is also the nephew of music video director Hype Williams....
. White's previous work includes "Leave (Get Out)
Leave (Get Out)
"Leave " is a song by American singer JoJo from her self-titled debut album, JoJo. It was released as the album's lead single on February 24, 2004...
" for American pop and R&B singer JoJo, as well as Chris Brown's "Run It!
Run It!
"Run It!" is the debut single by American R&B singer Chris Brown, featuring American rapper Juelz Santana. It was written by Santana, Sean Garrett and Scott Storch, and produced by the latter. It was released in 2005 and is Brown's first career single, off his debut album Chris Brown...
" The video premiered worldwide on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Total Request Live
Total Request Live
Total Request Live is a television series on MTV that featured popular music videos. TRL was MTV's prime outlet for music videos as the network continues to concentrate on reality-based programming. In addition to music videos, TRL featured daily guests...
on September 12, 2006.
Formats and track listing
- US 12"
- "Long Way 2 Go" — 3:40
- "Me & U" (Remix) (featuring DiddySean CombsSean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
and Yung JocYung JocYaMar Jon Robinson , better known by his stage name Yung Joc, is an American rapper.-Early life:Robinson's father, Vivian Young, ran a hair-care products company and helped him write a jingle for Revlon; Robinson founded his own label to release his music.-New Joc City :After Teaming with producer...
) — 4:47 - "Me & U" (Ryan LeslieRyan LeslieAnthony Ryan Leslie, known professionally as Ryan Leslie, is a Grammy nominated American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, entrepreneur, and singer. Founder of the media company NextSelection Lifestyle Group, Leslie has produced singles for a number of artists in a variety of genres...
Remix) — 3:14 - "Long Way 2 Go" (Instrumental) — 3:40
- EU Digital EP
- "Long Way 2 Go" — 3:40
- "Long Way 2 Go" (Instrumental) — 3:40
- "Long Way 2 Go" (Acappella) — 3:10
- "Can't Do It Without You" — 3:55
- EU CD Single
- "Long Way 2 Go" — 3:40
- "Long Way 2 Go" (Instrumental) — 3:40
- AUS / CAN / NZ Digital EP
- "Long Way 2 Go" — 3:40
- "When Your Body Is Talking" — 3:43
- "Can't Do It Without You" — 3:55
- UK CD1
- "Long Way 2 Go" — 3:40
- "Long Way 2 Go" (Instrumental) — 3:40
- "Long Way 2 Go" (Acappella) — 3:10
- "When Your Body Is Talking" — 3:43
- "Can't Do It Without You" — 3:55
- "Long Way 2 Go" (Music Video) — 3:40
- UK CD2 / FRA CD Single
- "Long Way 2 Go" — 3:40
- "When Your Body Is Talking" — 3:43
- GER CD Single
- "Long Way 2 Go" — 3:40
- "When Your Body Is Talking" — 3:43
- "Can't Do It Without You" — 3:55
- "Long Way 2 Go" (Music Video) — 3:40
Credits and personnel
- Cassie – songwriting, vocals
- Ryan LeslieRyan LeslieAnthony Ryan Leslie, known professionally as Ryan Leslie, is a Grammy nominated American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, entrepreneur, and singer. Founder of the media company NextSelection Lifestyle Group, Leslie has produced singles for a number of artists in a variety of genres...
– songwriting, additional vocals, record production, mixing, instrumentation, recording, programming, arranging
Source:
Charts
| Chart (2006–2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Pop 100 Pop 100 The Pop 100 was a songs chart that debuted in February 2005 and was released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States until its discontinuation in 2009... (Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... ) |
86 |
Radio adds
| Country | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| United States | August 28, 2006 | Rhythmic Rhythmic Contemporary Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may... |
| October 2, 2006 | CHR Contemporary hit radio Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts... |
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Catalogue |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | October 23, 2006 | Digital Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... EP Extended play An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact... |
201228335 |
| CD Single | 0075679446428 | ||
| Sweden | Digital EP | 201228335 | |
| Netherlands | |||
| Norway | |||
| Switzerland | |||
| Belgium | |||
| Australia | January 27, 2007 | 212031232 | |
| New Zealand | 212031237 | ||
| Germany | February 1, 2007 | CD Single | 0075679446657 |
| France | August 21, 2007 | 0075679446459 |