Verse 1
I'm not the same girl who left that June. Tighter grip. A different tune. The map's still folded in my glove. But I don't need it like I loved.
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Track 10 · Everywhere Isn't Texas
The Long Way Back
Album track
The closing song gathers every detour—dust, neon, mountains, mistakes—and turns them into gratitude. Calla does not return to a place or a person, but to the unguarded self she nearly left behind.
Written and produced by Tulio Costa · Performed by Calla Hayes
10Official lyrics
The Long Way Back
© 2026 Tulio Costa. All rights reserved.
Verse 2
I made some friends. I lost some sleep. I learned to dance. I learned to weep. I kissed a stranger. Tasted rain. I don't regret a single lane.
Pre-Chorus
I'm not going back to where I started. I'm going back to who I was before I got so guarded. The long way. The slow way. The only way I know.
Chorus
I took the long way back. Through dust and neon glow. Through mountains I could never match. And rivers I still owe. I took the long way back. Not to Texas, not to you. But to the version of myself Who knew what she could do. The long way back was the only way through.
Verse 3
That diner waitress with the bird tattoo. I hope she's flying somewhere new. The mountain asked for nothing more. Than me just showing up at its door.
Verse 4
The neon lights taught me to see. The cheap wine taught me to be free. The letters I never sent? They stay. But I forgave myself today.
Pre-Chorus
I'm not going back to where I started. I'm going back to who I was before I got so guarded. The long way. The slow way. The only way I know.
Chorus
I took the long way back. Through dust and neon glow. Through mountains I could never match. And rivers I still owe. I took the long way back. Not to Texas, not to you. But to the version of myself Who knew what she could do. The long way back was the only way through.
Bridge
I could've turned around at the first sign of doubt. Could've stayed in the lines they drew, never finding out What happens when you let the wheel go loose. What happens when you stop making excuses. The detours were the destination. The wrong turns were the education. I'm grateful for every mile I spent Running toward the girl I was always meant to invent.
Final Chorus
I took the long way back! Through dust and neon glow! Through mountains I could never match! And rivers I still owe! I took the long way back! Not to Texas, not to you! But to the version of myself Who knew what she could do! The long way back was the only way through!
Outro
The long way back... (the long way back) Was the only way through... (the only way through) I took the long way back... (And I'd do it again) The long way back... (Yeah, I'd do it again) The long way back...