Lyric discussion by s_c_h_i_s_m 

Cover art for Long Slow Goodbye lyrics by Queens of the Stone Age

just an idea:

Alzheimer's disease. They nickname it "The long goodbye", and certain lyrics in the song have a slight connection to the effects Alzheimer's has eg "Waiting, when you coming home?" "Waiting by the telephone"

If anyones ever known someone with Alzheimer's, you would probably see the connection. So maybe someone in the band knew someone who had it? (ps, N0 C0DE you're right, Lanegan did co-write it)