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Long Long Time

"Long Long Time" is a written by Gary White and recorded by as the lead single from her second solo album, Silk Purse, released in 1970. The song, which explores themes of and enduring emotional pain, features a distinctive vibraphone-heavy arrangement influenced by the early . Ronstadt's version marked her breakthrough as a solo artist, peaking at No. 25 on the chart and remaining on the chart for 12 weeks. Originally composed by White, a Texas-based , the track gained initial attention after Ronstadt's cover, which showcased her interpretive vocal style and helped establish her reputation in the country-rock genre. Over the decades, "Long Long Time" has been praised for its emotional depth and Ronstadt's raw delivery, becoming one of her signature songs despite not achieving massive commercial success at the time. The song experienced a significant revival in 2023 when it was prominently featured in the season one finale of the series , leading to a surge in streams and sales that propelled it to No. 1 on 's Rock Digital Song Sales chart. This renewed interest highlighted the track's timeless appeal, with covers by artists such as further extending its cultural footprint. Ronstadt, who has been unable to perform publicly since 2011 due to (diagnosed in 2019), has expressed appreciation for the song's resurgence without financial benefit from the sync due to arrangements.

Origins and composition

Songwriting

"Long Long Time" was written by Gary White, a songwriter from born in 1940. Lyrically, the song explores themes of enduring, one-sided love, with lines like "Love will abide... but somewhere deep inside me, I feel the longing" conveying a sense of persistent emotional ache. Structured as a in verse-chorus form and set in the key of , it emphasizes introspective and melodic simplicity.

Linda Ronstadt version

Recording and release

"Long Long Time" was recorded in 1969 during sessions for Linda Ronstadt's second solo album, Silk Purse, at Cinderella Sound Studios and Woodland Sound Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. Produced by Elliot Mazer, the track features a country arrangement highlighted by acoustic guitar, piano, fiddle, and pedal steel guitar, with contributions from session musicians including Norbert Putnam on bass and harpsichord, Buddy Spicher on fiddle, Pete Wade on guitar, and Weldon Myrick on steel guitar. The song, written by Gary White, originated as a folk tune but was adapted here to fit Ronstadt's emerging country-rock style. Ronstadt delivered her vocals live with the in a single take at 10:30 a.m., infusing the with an emotional, vulnerable quality that emphasized the ballad's intimate themes of longing and heartbreak; she later recalled being in an "achy" emotional state during the session, which shaped the raw delivery. Backed by minimal instrumentation to spotlight her voice, the recording captured a sense of intimacy through subtle and acoustic elements. Silk Purse represented Ronstadt's evolution from the folk sound of her days to a blending and influences, with "Long Long Time" standing out as a slower, pivotal that closed the amid its more uptempo tracks. The was released on April 13, 1970, by , marking Ronstadt's first project fully under her name without band credits. "Long Long Time" served as the , issued in June 1970 on 2846, and gained airplay on radio playlists as part of the 's promotion.

Commercial performance

"Long Long Time" became Linda Ronstadt's first solo charting single, peaking at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1971 after debuting in late 1970 and spending 12 weeks on the chart. The track also reached No. 20 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, reflecting its appeal in softer radio formats. The accompanying album, Silk Purse, marked Ronstadt's first entry on the Billboard 200, where it peaked at No. 103 in November 1970. While the album did not receive RIAA certification at the time, the single's performance helped establish Ronstadt's viability as a solo artist following her earlier success with the Stone Poneys' "Different Drum" in 1967. Airplay for "Long Long Time" was particularly strong on U.S. FM radio stations during the early 1970s, including top-10 placements at major markets like , , and CHUM in , which contributed to its crossover success in adult-oriented programming. Internationally, the single saw limited traction, peaking at No. 15 on Canada's RPM 100 chart. Ronstadt's rising profile after "Different Drum"—which had reached No. 13 on the Hot 100—provided momentum for the release, though it faced competition from emerging rock acts, including the Eagles, who formed in from members of her backing band. This context underscored the song's role in bridging folk-rock and influences amid a shifting music landscape.

Critical reception

Upon its release in 1970 as part of the album Silk Purse, Linda Ronstadt's rendition of "Long Long Time" received widespread praise from critics for its emotional intensity and vocal maturity. In a contemporary review, highlighted Ronstadt's "haunting vocals" on the track, describing them as revealing a depth that marked a significant evolution from her earlier folk-oriented work with the . The song's sparse and Ronstadt's delivery were noted for conveying profound longing and vulnerability, positioning it as a standout moment on an album lauded for its production by Elliot Mazer. The track's artistic merit was further recognized with Ronstadt earning her first Grammy Award nomination in 1971 for Best Contemporary Female Vocal Performance. This accolade underscored the song's impact within the industry, coming alongside acclaim for Silk Purse's overall blend of , and R&B elements under Mazer's guidance. Ronstadt herself expressed mixed feelings about her vocal performance in later reflections. In a , she recalled a "chill of disgust" upon hearing the recording, attributing her dissatisfaction to rushed preparation: "I hadn’t learned the phrasing yet. I needed to learn it on my guitar first, and I didn’t have time to do that before we recorded it." Despite this, she acknowledged its unique qualities in her 2013 memoir , describing the sound as "unusual for the time, with a touching emotional quality" that captured a raw authenticity she grew to value. Retrospective critiques have enduringly celebrated the song's artistic impact, often citing its raw emotional nakedness as a hallmark of Ronstadt's early solo career. A 2025 anniversary review of Silk Purse described "Long Long Time" as "a quiet, devastating portrait of that remains one of the most emotionally naked vocal performances of Ronstadt's career." The track's inclusion in the 1999 compilation The Linda Ronstadt Box Set further affirmed its status, presenting it alongside her foundational works to illustrate her growth as an interpreter of heartfelt ballads.

Cover versions

Pre-1980s covers

Following the original 1970 recording by Linda Ronstadt, which established "Long Long Time" as a poignant ballad of unrequited love, several artists offered covers in the early 1970s, primarily within folk, pop, and easy-listening genres. These versions maintained the song's introspective core while adapting it to varied arrangements, though none achieved significant chart success comparable to Ronstadt's top-25 hit. Al Martino included a smooth, orchestral rendition on his 1970 album My Heart Sings, released the same year as Ronstadt's version; his interpretation emphasized romantic melancholy with lush strings, aligning with his style of crooner ballads. Similarly, Rod McKuen delivered a gentle, spoken-word-inflected take on his 1971 album Pastorale, framing the song as a poetic reflection on enduring emotion, consistent with his signature blend of folk and literary influences. Andy Williams followed with a polished, easy-listening arrangement on his 1971 release Love Story, where the track's slow tempo and sweeping orchestration highlighted his velvety vocals, though it remained an album cut without single release. These early covers, released amid the song's rising popularity from Ronstadt's rendition, generally peaked outside the top 50 on charts where they appeared, underscoring their role as supportive interpretations rather than breakout hits. Overall, the pre-1980s adaptations stayed true to the folk-rock essence, with minor variations but consistent focus on lyrical vulnerability.

Post-1980s covers

In the decades following the , covers of "Long Long Time" have evolved stylistically, incorporating , pop, and influences while retaining the song's core theme of enduring heartbreak. Building on the foundational folk-rock interpretations of the pre-1980s era, these versions often emphasize vocal intimacy and genre-specific instrumentation, appearing in studio albums, live settings, and digital releases. During the 1990s, the song gained traction in country music circles. Mindy McCready recorded a poignant country rendition for her third studio album If I Don't Stay the Night (1997), where her warm, narrative delivery accentuated the lyrics' themes of solitude and reflection, aligning with the era's emphasis on heartfelt ballads in Nashville. Similarly, Alannah Myles included a cover on her career-spanning compilation The Very Best of Alannah Myles (1998), transforming the track into a sultry rock ballad with her distinctive raspy timbre and subtle electric guitar layers, diverging toward a more contemporary adult-oriented sound. Melanie also recorded a folk-oriented version for her 1993 album Silver Anniversary, infusing the song with her characteristic whimsical delivery and acoustic simplicity, retaining the ballad's emotional depth but adding a touch of bohemian lightness. The and saw covers branching into pop and hybrid styles, often showcased through live performances and competitive platforms. Brennley Brown's 2017 performance on NBC's The Voice presented a fresh, acoustic-leaning pop-country take, blending youthful vulnerability with orchestral swells to appeal to a younger audience via broadcast and streaming. This period highlighted the song's adaptability for television exposure, fostering interpretations that prioritized emotional accessibility over strict genre adherence. In the 2020s, indie and alternative renditions have proliferated, with an emphasis on stripped-down acoustic arrangements and genre fusions that highlight the song's lyrical universality. Sid Sriram released a soulful cover in 2022, infusing R&B elements and subtle Indian classical motifs through his layered vocals and minimal production, offering a modern, introspective twist. has performed live covers since 2023, notably during her tours and special appearances, delivering emotive renditions that underscore the song's revival following its use in media. Country veteran performed a live version during a 2025 tribute concert at the Hall of Fame on July 22, delivering a rootsy, emotive reading that echoed Ronstadt's original while incorporating contemporary stage dynamics. These post-1980s interpretations illustrate a broader trend toward genre diversification—from and in the to pop and fusions in later decades—frequently featured in tribute events, live sets, and streaming catalogs, which have amplified the song's reach beyond its origins.

Legacy and cultural impact

Use in and

Linda Ronstadt's version of "Long Long Time" has been prominently featured in , particularly in the 2023 HBO series , where it underscores a pivotal emotional montage in episode 3, titled "Long, Long Time." The song accompanies the backstory of characters and , highlighting their deep, enduring romantic bond amid an apocalyptic setting, with Ronstadt's recording serving as the primary version to evoke themes of and inevitable loss. The track also appears in the 2019 documentary : The Sound of My Voice, directed by and Jeffrey , where it is showcased as a cornerstone of Ronstadt's early solo career, illustrating her interpretive depth in ballads of unrequited affection. In media placements, "Long Long Time" frequently symbolizes persistent love and poignant separation, as seen in its narrative role in , where it amplifies the characters' intimate journey and ultimate tragedy. The song's licensing for such uses has been managed through , stemming from Ronstadt's original 1970 contract, which governs synchronization rights for her recordings.

Recent resurgence and chart performance

The inclusion of Linda Ronstadt's "Long Long Time" in the third episode of HBO's The Last of Us, which aired on January 29, 2023, triggered a dramatic resurgence for the 1970 track. The episode featured the song multiple times during an emotional storyline, leading to an immediate 4,900% spike in U.S. streams on Spotify between 11 p.m. ET and midnight ET on the day of airing, compared to the previous week. This surge propelled the song back into mainstream visibility more than five decades after its original release. In the weeks following, "Long Long Time" achieved notable chart success, topping Billboard's Rock Digital Song Sales, LyricFind U.S., and LyricFind Global charts dated February 11, 2023. Digital downloads increased by over 11,000% to 6,000 units for the tracking week ending February 2, 2023, marking the largest sales week for any rock song that period. The accompanying album Silk Purse climbed into the top five on the chart shortly after the episode, reflecting renewed interest in Ronstadt's early catalog. Overall, the song amassed millions of streams in the U.S. during its peak revival week, establishing key context for its commercial revival. The resurgence introduced "Long Long Time" to younger audiences, including viewers drawn to The Last of Us's broad appeal, fostering a cultural reevaluation of the ballad's themes of enduring love. Ronstadt, speaking via email to in early 2023, expressed gladness at the exposure despite receiving no direct royalties from the sync, noting it brought her music to new listeners. In a interview that month, she shared her hope that fans would enjoy discovering the song through the show, highlighting its timeless quality without addressing specific interpretations. By 2024 and into 2025, the song maintained streaming momentum, with persistent plays on platforms like and amplification via user-generated covers and duets that echoed its emotional resonance. These adaptations, often tying back to the episode's themes, extended its reach among digital-native audiences and sustained its chart-adjacent presence.

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