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

"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. André 3000's original version of the song had Stefani as a featured artist and he originally recorded for the Outkasts The Love Below album.

 Writing and production 
Lyrically, Long Way to Go is about prejudices against dating someone from a different race. 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. Long Way to Go also includes a sample from Martin Luther King, Jr.s 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech. Long Way to Go was written by Stefani and 3000 and was also produced by 3000.

 Track listings and formats 
 US Digital download
 "Long Way to Go" (with André 3000) – 

 Interscope Records Sampler
A1 "Rich Girl" (featuring Eve) – 
A2 "Hollaback Girl" – 
A3 "Bubble Pop Electric" (featuring Johnny Vulture) – 
B1 "Long Way to Go" (with André 3000) – 
B2 "Harajuku Girls" – 
B3 "Cool" – 

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

Personnel

 Gwen Stefani – lead vocals, songwriting
 André Benjamin – keyboards, lead vocals, mixing, production, songwriting
 Warren Bletcher – assistant engineering
 Greg Collins – mixing
 CutMaster Swiff – cuts
 Nick Ferrero – assistant engineering
 John Frye – additional recording

 Kevin Kendricks – keyboards, piano
 Martin Luther King, Jr. – additional songwriting
 Kevin Mills – assistant engineering
 Pete Novak – additional recording
 Glenn Pittman – assistant engineering
 Sean Tallman – assistant engineering

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

References

Category:2004 songs
Category:Gwen Stefani songs
Category:Hip hop songs
Category:Electro songs
Category:R&B songs