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Sharp-eared viewers might notice that the car scene isn’t the Linda Ronstadt song’s first appearance in the episode. On the day they accidentally meet, Frank and a nervous Bill bond over some quality food and impromptu piano music. After Frank clumsily attempts to play his favorite song, Bill takes over and performs a far more sad and soulful rendition, which leads to their first kiss. The tune is, of course, “Long, Long Time,” which pretty much automatically makes it the pair’s “our song.”
With its lyrics about longing and hidden fear of being alone, the song is a very appropriate theme for the outwardly strong but secretly sensitive Bill. The last verse even lampshadows the end of this surprisingly touching post-apocalyptic love story with its twist on the refrain; “I think I’m gonna miss you for a long long time.” As Bill tells Frank, he has considered this option, and simply doesn’t wish to endure it after so many years watching over his loved one.
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Knowing this, the song Joel and Ellie listen to as they drive away from the compound is a perfect accompaniment to the letter Bill left Joel, as they both offer a glimpse into the gruff doomsday prepper’s true nature … and as the episode comes to a close, the viewers will have time for one more tear as they realize that the first song Bill ever enjoyed with Frank was the last song he listened to in his car.