Michelle Branch Feat. Dwight Yoakam, ‘Long Goodbye’

Michelle Branch debuts yet another free-for-download song, and this one features Grammy award-winner Dwight Yoakam. 'Long Goodbye' was slated to be the second release from her still awaited new album, following 'Sooner or Later' -- but with that project at a standstill, Branch unleashes the goods free of charge for her die-hard fans.

'Long Goodbye' is classic Branch. It's catchy enough for pop, but twangy enough for country, all while maintaining the originality and spunk she's known for. Throw in a little Yoakam and the former Wreckers singer has a surefire hit.

"This is a song that I am the most excited to share with all of you. One of my favorite artists is Dwight Yoakam. When I was in the studio in Nashville, we met and I told him it would be a dream come true if he sang on my record. Next thing you know, he was in the studio singing 'Long Goodbye' with me," Branch says in a statement. "I couldn't imagine this song without his voice on it. This song was meant to be the follow up single to 'Sooner Or Later' (off the album that never was, 'Everything Comes and Goes'). I'm so disappointed that it was never released as I was really looking forward to filming the video with Dwight. Maybe next time ; )."

Branch and Yoakam harmonize in the chorus, which depicts a desire for a quick and painless exit:

"Don't you give me that long goodbye / Don't stick around and make it worse / Don't leave me hanging on all night / To every pretty little word / Yeah, don't you / Drive me down that road / For miles and miles and miles of hurt / Don't you give me that long goodbye."

Branch then leads Yoakam into his own shining verse, where he prompts his lover to lay it on him softly to spare some hurt.

While it's a shame that this collaborative gem never had its chance to sparkle on radio, we're thrilled that Branch was feeling generous enough to share it with us.

Listen to Michelle Branch feat. Dwight Yoakam, 'Long Goodbye'