Linda Ronstadt, a name synonymous with iconic vocals and timeless hits, is experiencing a remarkable resurgence in popularity. A new generation of listeners is discovering her music, all thanks to the compelling narrative of HBO’s latest series, “The Last of Us.” This unexpected comeback highlights the enduring power of a truly great song and its ability to resonate across generations.
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“The Last of Us,” adapted from the acclaimed video game, masterfully blends suspense, action, adventure, and horror. However, it was the series’ third episode that captivated audiences in a profoundly different way, introducing a poignant storyline centered on love and hope amidst desolation. Crucially, this episode prominently featured Ronstadt’s 1970s ballad, “Long, Long Time,” weaving it deeply into the narrative fabric of not just one, but two pivotal character arcs.
Don’t worry about spoilers here; the focus remains on the renewed appreciation for Linda Ronstadt’s musical artistry.
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The impact was immediate. As soon as the episode concluded, viewers turned to streaming platforms to experience the emotional depth of “Long, Long Time” for themselves. Spotify reported an astonishing 4900% surge in US streams between 11 p.m. and midnight on January 29th, compared to the preceding week. This meteoric rise confirms the song’s powerful impact on a contemporary audience.
Originally released as a single from her second album, “Silk Purse,” “Long, Long Time” spent 12 weeks on the Billboard charts, peaking at number 25. This marked Ronstadt’s first foray onto the Billboard charts, signaling the beginning of her ascent to stardom.
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The Story Behind the Song “Long, Long Time”
“Long, Long Time,” a deeply moving ballad, was penned by Texas musician Gary White. It’s recognized in the Rock Song Index as one of the “7500 Most Important Songs for the Rock and Roll Era,” a testament to its lasting significance in music history.
Linda Ronstadt recounts in her 2013 memoir, “Simple Dreams,” how she discovered the song through her friend and fellow musician, David Bromberg. Bromberg took Ronstadt to New York City’s Cafe Au Go-Go to see White perform. Captivated by his music, Ronstadt approached White backstage after the show to inquire about “Long, Long Time.” This encounter led to Ronstadt not only recording “Long, Long Time” but also another of White’s compositions, “Nobody’s,” for her “Silk Purse” album.
Reflecting on her initial apprehension, Ronstadt wrote: “I was prepared to be disappointed. I thought it difficult for someone to know what I looked for in a song.” However, White’s performance quickly dispelled her doubts. She described being captivated by his “cowboy falsetto” and a song about a “poignant, sad girl named Louise.” After hearing “Long, Long Time,” she was instantly convinced, declaring, “I told Gary I wanted to record it immediately.”
In a 1985 Esquire interview, Ronstadt recalled the recording session itself, stating, “I can remember the day I recorded ‘Long, Long Time.’ It was 10:30 in the morning, but I was really into this kind of achy feeling, because the music—it’s in these chords.” She continued, expressing a critical view of her own performance, “I think my phrasing was horrible. I think I kind of butchered it, but it is definitely in those chords. And it happened to the musicians, who are jaded session players. As soon as the fiddle player and Weldon Myrick, who’s the steel guitar [player], began to play those chords, they got real into that and became personally involved.” This anecdote reveals the song’s inherent emotional power, capable of moving even seasoned musicians.
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Craig Mazin, co-creator and writer of episode 3 of “The Last of Us,” explained in an Indiewire interview that he sought a “semi-obscure song” that was “an incredibly sad song about yearning for love, and never getting love, and just making your peace with the fact that you will always be alone.” This precisely captures the emotional core of “Long, Long Time” and its resonance within the episode’s narrative.
The lyrics themselves encapsulate this profound sense of longing and acceptance:
“Love will abide/
Take things in stride/
Sounds like good advice/
But there’s no one at my side/
And time washes clean
Love’s wounds unseen
That’s what someone told me
But I don’t know what it means.”
[Chorus]
‘Cause I’ve done everything I know
To try and make you mine
And I think I’m gonna love you
For a long, long time.”
Mazin described his extensive search for the perfect song, telling Indiewire: “I went through hours and hours and hours.” Ultimately, he turned to his friend Seth Rudetsky, a Sirius XM On Broadway host with encyclopedic music knowledge. “I described what I needed, and within 30 seconds, it was [incoming text noise] ‘Long, Long Time by Linda Ronstadt.’ I kinda remembered that song. I played it and was like, ‘Oh, my. There it is.’” This serendipitous discovery underscores the perfect alignment of song and story.
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The resurgence of “Long, Long Time” demonstrates the timeless appeal of emotionally resonant music. Thanks to “The Last of Us,” a new audience is experiencing the beauty and heartbreak of this classic song, ensuring Linda Ronstadt’s legacy continues to thrive for a long, long time.
