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