Sidney’s thoughtful songwriting shines through in every line, while her lush vocals guide the track like a steady hand. The song’s midtempo beat glides forward easily, and as the story develops, and as relationships do, it begins to sound more atmospheric, simple at first, then deeper, more layered, more real. There’s an emotional complexity beneath the song’s soft melody, too. Sidney does not avoid the messy parts, moments of strain, conflict, and the tug between two forces. Yet what really makes “long haul” resonate is the underlying optimism of how we re-enter society. But despite the torment, it’s ultimately a song about choosing love and faith in the unknown ahead.
Sidney reveals some of what inspired the song with brisk candor, nonstop travel, career obligations, and guilt about being hundreds of miles from home when her partner was eager to participate in it all. “Long Haul” is her way of telling both him and herself that she’s in it for the long haul, emotionally present and ready for the ride. By the time the song slips away, you’re left with a sense of reassurance, love isn’t easy, but when it’s real, it’s worth the ride.