About The Song
Released in 2011, “Long Way to Go” is a heartfelt ballad by country music icon Alan Jackson. The song paints a vivid picture of a man grappling with the aftermath of a broken relationship, seeking solace in the beauty of nature and the promise of new beginnings.
As the song opens, Jackson’s gentle vocals set the tone for a tale of heartache and longing. He sings of driving down to the ocean, hoping to leave his troubles behind. But the rain won’t leave and the pain won’t ease, mirroring the emotional turmoil he’s experiencing.
Seeking refuge in a tiki bar, he orders a margarita, hoping to numb the pain. But as he takes a sip, he notices a “bug in his margarita”, a metaphor for the lingering presence of his past love. Despite his efforts to escape, he can’t shake the memories of what they once shared.
The chorus of “Long Way to Go” is a poignant reflection on the singer’s emotional state. He acknowledges that he has “a long, long way to go” in healing from his heartbreak. The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the daunting task ahead, yet it also offers a glimmer of hope.
The second verse delves deeper into the singer’s inner struggles. He compares his heartache to a “bad luck streak” and admits that he’s “trying to drink a win”. The imagery of the “bug in his margarita” returns, reinforcing the idea that he can’t outrun his emotions.
Despite the pain, Jackson finds a glimmer of hope in the midst of his despair. He reflects on the memories of happier times, acknowledging that “love won’t leave him alone”. This suggests that while he may be hurting now, he’s still capable of finding love again in the future.
The bridge of “Long Way to Go” offers a moment of quiet contemplation. The singer looks out at the ocean, finding solace in its vastness and power. He realizes that he’s just a small part of something much larger, and this gives him a sense of perspective.
The song concludes with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the singer’s acceptance of his situation and his determination to move forward. He knows that he has “a long, long way to go”, but he’s no longer afraid of the journey.
“Long Way to Go” is a powerful and relatable ballad that captures the universal experience of heartbreak and the resilience of the human spirit. Alan Jackson’s heartfelt vocals and poignant lyrics make this song a true country classic.
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Lyric
Well, I drove down to the oceanLeft my heartache way behindBut the rain won’t leave, and the pain won’t easeAnd the sun don’t wanna shineSo I ordered me up a killerFound a view out across the seaI sat down in the sand, a drink in my handAnd in the glass lookin’ back at meI got a bug in my margaritaSeems bad luck won’t leave me aloneI got a woman I’m tryin’ to drink awayAnd I got a long, long way to goYeah, I got a long, long way to goWell, I met an old boy from GeorgiaYeah, his woman done knocked him downWell I asked him how’s he doingHe stared at me confusedAnd said, “Hey, ain’t you looked around?”He said the rain won’t leaveAnd the pain won’t easeAnd the sun don’t wanna shineAnd there’s something in the bottom of this drink I just gotAnd it don’t look like a worm to meI got a bug in my margaritaSeems bad luck won’t leave me aloneI got a woman I’m tryin’ to drink awayAnd I got a long, long way to goYeah, I got a long, long way to go(Oh, let’s go)So we put our drinks togetherAnd toasted rainy weatherAnd the women that had done us wrongThen we threw back margaritasThe bug just made it sweeterAnd we both sang a happy songI got a bug in my margaritaSeems bad luck won’t leave me aloneI got a woman I’m tryin’ to drink awayAnd I got a long, long way to goYeah, I got a bug in my margaritaSeems bad luck won’t leave me aloneI got a woman I’m tryin’ to drink awayAnd I got a long, long way to goYeah, I got a bug in my margaritaSeems bad luck won’t leave me aloneI got a woman I’m tryin’ to drink awayAnd I got a long, long way to goYeah, I got a long, long way to go