The Long Goodbye (song)

"The Long Goodbye" is a song recorded and co-written first by Paul Brady on his 2000 album Oh What a World. It was later covered by country music duo Brooks & Dunn for their album Steers & Stripes. Brooks & Dunn's version was a Number One hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts, and a #39 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Irish pop singer Ronan Keating, the other co-writer of the song, released it in April 2003 as the last single from his album Destination, reaching #3 in the UK Singles Chart.

Background
Ronnie Dunn was initially challenged by this song. "For me, I didn't know if I could sing some of these songs, if I could get inside them. So I'd take the tracks home...Paul Brady's demo of 'The Long Good-bye was intimidating...How do you do that? I'd work in my barn, explore the songs, try things, really learn where the song wanted to go, where I wanted to go."

Critical reception
Chuck Taylor, of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably saying that the song has more of a pop flavor than most of their other music. Taylor also says that Dunn's "earnest emotion exudes quiet desperation mixed with knowing acceptance."

Chart positions
"The Long Goodbye" debuted at number 53 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart for the week of October 27, 2001.

Ronan Keating Version
"The Long Goodbye" is the fourth and last single released from Irish singer/songwriter Ronan Keating's second studio album, Destination. The single peaked at #3 on the UK Singles Chart. The single was released as a double A-Side with "Love Won't Work (If We Don't Try)".

Tracklisting

 * UK CD1
 * 1) "The Long Goodbye" - 4:44
 * 2) "Love Wont Work (If We Don't Try)" - 3:31
 * 3) "This Is It" - 4:03
 * 4) "The Long Goodbye" (Video) - 4:40


 * UK CD2
 * 1) "The Long Goodbye" - 4:44
 * 2) "We've Got Tonight" (Feat. Jeanette) - 4:11
 * 3) "Love Won't Work (If We Don't Try)" (Video) - 3:31


 * UK Cassette
 * 1) "The Long Goodbye" - 4:44
 * 2) "The Long Goodbye" (Bimbo Jones Vocal Mix) - 6:18