From a Distance

Julie Gold has stated that she believes in an immanent and beneficent God, and also thinks that people have a right to interpret the song any way they want, as with all art.[http://www.wpr.org/hereonearth/archive_050219j.cfm "Julie Gold and Her Songs"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070227140132/http://www.wpr.org/hereonearth/archive_050219j.cfm |date=February 27, 2007 }}, Here on Earth - Radio Without Borders, Wisconsin Public Radio, February 19, 2005 ([http://clipcast.wpr.org:8080/ramgen/wpr/hoe/hoe050219j.rm audio] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928003437/http://clipcast.wpr.org:8080/ramgen/wpr/hoe/hoe050219j.rm |date=September 28, 2007 }}) She has stated that the song is about the difference between how things appear to be and how they really are.

{{Infobox song

| name = From a Distance

| cover = Nanci Griffith - From a Distance.jpg

| alt =

| type = promotional single

| written = 1985

| artist = Nanci Griffith

| album = Lone Star State of Mind

| released = 1988{{Cite web|url=https://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/nanci-griffith/from-a-distance/|title=From a Distance by Nanci Griffith - RYM/Sonemic|access-date=April 24, 2021|website=Rateyourmusic.com}}{{deprecated source|certain=y|date=November 2024}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Country

| length = 4:10

| label = MCA

| writer = Julie Gold

| producer = Tony Brown, Nancy Griffith

| prev_track =

| track_no =

| next_track =

}}

Nanci Griffith recorded it first in her 1987 album Lone Star State of Mind. Nanci Griffith stated that a songwriter Julie Gold sent her the song in 1986, asking Griffith what was wrong with it, as Gold had sent it to many artists and record companies but none wanted to record it. Griffith answered that she loved it so much the moment she heard it and that she wanted to hear it performed personally by Gold. This established a relationship between the two with Griffith being the first to record "From a Distance" in her Lone Star State of Mind album.

Griffith performed it live many times and a version of her live performance on August 19–20, 1988 at the Anderson Fair, a Houston, Texas club long known for featuring folk artists in an intimate setting, appeared in her live album One Fair Summer Evening.

The Griffith version charted only in Ireland, where her version became a sleeper hit, spending 17 non-consecutive weeks in the Irish Top 30 during 1988, peaking at number nine in April.

• Irish 7-inch (MCA 1169)

1. "From a Distance"
2. "Sing One For Sister"

{{clear}}

{{Infobox song

| name = From a Distance

| cover = Midler_From_a_D.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Bette Midler

| album = Some People's Lives

| B-side = One More Round

| released = {{start date|1990|9|19}}

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = Pop

| length = 4:37

| label = Atlantic

| writer = Julie Gold

| producer = Arif Mardin

| prev_title = Wind Beneath My Wings

| prev_year = 1989

| next_title = Night and Day

| next_year = 1991

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|lN4AcFzxtdE|"From a Distance"}}}}

}}

"From a Distance" became an international commercial success after it was covered by American singer Bette Midler for her seventh studio album, Some People's Lives (1990). World events at this time gave the song a resonance as an anthem during the Gulf War.{{Cite news|last=Harrington|first=Richard|date=March 20, 1991|title=GULF WAR SONGS, OUT OF TUNE|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1991/03/20/gulf-war-songs-out-of-tune/04a07e1a-1e9b-4b87-9f4e-f4ed1a30d305/|access-date=January 17, 2022|issn=0190-8286}} It reached number one on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and number two on the Billboard Hot 100, become her fourth top 10.{{cite book |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2002 |publisher=Record Research |page=170}} The song went on to win a Grammy for Song of the Year (for Julie Gold) in 1991 and a "3 Million Airs Award" from Broadcast Music Incorporated. The song also reached the top 10 in Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. In the United Kingdom, the song peaked at number six following a re-release in 1991, having originally failed to make the top 40 when released concurrently with Cliff Richard's version.

Midler re-recorded a Christmas edition for her 2006 Christmas album, Cool Yule, with additional lyrics by Los Angeles native Jay Landers. Additional recordings of the original have been performed by Gold, Griffith, Simon Nicol (of Fairport Convention) and many others.

Larry Flick from Billboard described "From a Distance" as a "soothing hymn that invokes inspirational images similar to "Wind Beneath My Wings", adding that the song "proves that the Divine Miss M still has what it takes to tackle top 40 territory."{{cite magazine|first=Larry|last=Flick|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1990/BB-1990-10-06.pdf|title=Single Reviews|magazine=Billboard|date=October 6, 1990|access-date=February 16, 2020|page=71|author-link=Larry Flick}} Hannsjörg Riemann from German Bravo gave Midler's version two out of three, viewing it as a "tearjerker". He added, "The scandal noodle of the US show scene has a great voice, as can also be seen here. Leisurely tempo, pleasant melody, medium strong arrangement."{{cite magazine|first=Hannsjörg|last=Riemann|url=https://archive.org/details/bravo-1991-01/BRAVO%201991-01/page/62/mode/2up|title=Platten-News: Singles|magazine=Bravo|date=January 1991|page=64|access-date=January 14, 2023|language=de}} Alison Mayes from Calgary Herald called it a "sure-hit", saying that it "should have been done by Whitney Houston".Mayes, Alison (October 11, 1990). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald.

Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report felt the singer's Grammy for "Wind Beneath My Wings" "reaffirmed her innate ability to extract every single ounce of emotion out of a song. Teaming once again with producer Arif Mardin, she seems right at home with a tune that has much of the same quality as her giant hit of last year. Bette's certain to go the distance again."{{cite magazine|first= Dave |last= Sholin |title= Gavin Picks > Singles |magazine= Gavin Report |issue= 1825 |date= September 21, 1990 |page= 68 |access-date= April 17, 2018 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Gavin-Report/90/90/Gavin-1990-09-21.pdf}} Gene Sandbloom from The Network Forty found that the lyrics "manage to take in the globe (with a minimum of sugar) and deliver a song worth listening to a hundred times. The music, produced by sound specialist Arif Mardin, is a slow crescendo made to support Midler's voice without overwhelming." He added that she "again uses her "no frills" vocal approach which makes this song so genuine."{{cite magazine|first=Gene|last=Sandbloom|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-Network-40/90/Network-40-1990-09-21.pdf|title=Top 40: Music Meeting|magazine=The Network Forty|date=September 21, 1990|page=28|access-date=March 21, 2020}}

In a 2020 retrospective review, Matthew Hocter from Albumism stated that the song "showcases her magnificent vocality, coupled with lyrics entrenched in hope and peace."{{cite web|first= Matthew |last= Hocter |title= Bette Midler's 'Some People's Lives' Turns 30: Anniversary Retrospective |publisher= Albumism |date= September 3, 2020 |access-date= November 16, 2020 |url= https://www.albumism.com/features/bette-midler-some-peoples-lives-turns-30-anniversary-retrospective}} Conversely, Midler's recording of the song ranked at number 37 on VH1's list of the "50 Most Awesomely Bad Songs Ever."{{Cite web|url=http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/50_most_awesomely_bad_songs/series_countdown.jhtml|title=VH1.com : Shows : 50 Most Awesomely Bad Songs...Ever : Countdown|date=June 7, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040607044710/http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/50_most_awesomely_bad_songs/series_countdown.jhtml|access-date=April 24, 2021|archive-date=June 7, 2004}} and ranked at number 14 on Blender Magazine's list of "The 50 Worst Songs Ever".{{Cite web|url=http://www.blender.com/articles/article_819.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040508085115/http://www.blender.com/articles/article_819.html|archive-date = May 8, 2004|title = Blender - All Things Blender, All in One Place}} Criticisms focus on the song's lyrical content and the production of Midler's version.

• US 7-inch and cassette single (7-87820; 4-87820){{cite AV media notes|title=From a Distance|others=Bette Midler|year=1990|type=US 7-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Atlantic Records|id=7-87820}}{{cite AV media notes|title=From a Distance|others=Bette Midler|year=1990|type=US cassette single sleeve|publisher=Atlantic Records|id=4-87820}}
• UK 7-inch and cassette single (A 7820; A 7820C){{cite AV media notes|title=From a Distance|others=Bette Midler|year=1990|type=UK 7-inch single sleeve|publisher=Atlantic Records|id=A 7820, 7567-87820-7}}{{cite AV media notes|title=From a Distance|others=Bette Midler|year=1990|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Atlantic Records|id=A 7820C, 7567 87820-4}}
• Japanese mini-CD single (AMDY-5032){{cite AV media notes|title=From a Distance|others=Bette Midler|year=1990|type=Japanese mini-CD single liner notes|publisher=Atlantic Records|id=AMDY-5032}}

1. "From a Distance" – 4:37
2. "One More Round" – 2:01

• UK 12-inch and CD single (A 7820T; A7820CD){{cite AV media notes|title=From a Distance|others=Bette Midler|year=1990|type=UK 12-inch single sleeve|publisher=Atlantic Records|id=A 7820T}}{{cite AV media notes|title=From a Distance|others=Bette Midler|year=1990|type=UK CD single liner notes|publisher=Atlantic Records|id=A7820CD, 7567-78611-2}}

1. "From a Distance"
2. "One More Round"
3. "Wind Beneath My Wings"
4. "The Rose"

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Original version

Christmas version

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=1990|certyear=1990|access-date=October 5, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Bette Midler|title=From a Distance|award=Platinum|relyear=1990|certyear=1991|access-date=April 11, 2019|refname="riaa"}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

{{Infobox song

| name = From a Distance

| cover = From-a-distance-by-cliff-richard.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Cliff Richard

| album = From a Distance: The Event

| B-side = Lindsay Jane II

| released = October 1, 1990

| recorded = June 16–17, 1989

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length =

| label = EMI

| writer = Julie Gold, PF Sloan

| producer = Cliff Richard

| prev_title = Silhouettes

| prev_year = 1990

| next_title = Saviour's Day

| next_year = 1990

| misc = {{External music video|type=single|header=Music video|1={{YouTube|Z2RC8uLTwWE|"From a Distance"}}}}

}}

A cover by Cliff Richard released in October 1990 (very shortly after Midler's) served as the title track to his album From a Distance: The Event, which reached number 11 on the UK Singles Charts{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/From+A+Distance|title=from a distance | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com|access-date=April 24, 2021}} and number 16 in Ireland.

Richard opened his 1999 concert at Royal Albert Hall with the song.

• UK 7-inch and picture disc single (EMI EM 155/EMI EMPD 155)

1. "From a Distance"
2. "Lindsay Jane II"

• UK CD and 12-inch single (EMI CDEM 155/EMI 12EM 155)

1. "From a Distance"
2. "Lindsay Jane II"
3. "Wired for Sound" (live)

{{clear}}

{{Infobox song

| name = From a Distance

| cover = From-a-distance-charity-single.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Various artists

| album =

| released = May 31, 2011

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length = 4:05

| label =

| writer = Julie Gold, PF Sloan

| producer = John Reynolds, Tim Oliver

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title =

| next_year =

}}

"From a Distance" became a 2011 charity single{{Cite web|url=https://magdalenesurvivorstogether.net/|title=Magda Lene Survivors Together | Blog|website=Magdalenesurvivorstogether.net|access-date=April 24, 2021}} in support of Magdalene Survivors Together, a charity set up in July 2009 by Steven O'Riordan focusing on the human rights aspect of the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland. The 2011 single directed by O'Riordan had vocal participation from several artists: Sinéad O'Connor, Tommy Fleming, Brian Kennedy, Daniel O'Donnell, Ann Scott, Moya Brennan, Charlie Landsborough, Patrick Sheehy, Lumiere and the Scottish Glasgow Gospel Choir.

The track was produced by John Reynolds and Tim Oliver and mastered at Soundmastwers, London. Tesco Ireland, Beaumex Ireland and Believe Digital distributed the single online and it was made available in Tesco stores through Ireland. The proceeds would go to build an Irish national monument for the Magdalene women.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

• List of anti-war songs
• That Lucky Old Sun
• Ol' Man River

{{reflist}}

• {{AllMusic|class=song|id=t4744483|label="From a Distance" review}}
• [http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=4273 "From a Distance"] at Songfacts
• [http://www.juliegold.com/grammy.html Video of Julie Gold's Grammy Acceptance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928080958/http://www.juliegold.com/grammy.html |date=September 28, 2007 }}
• [http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/sts-71/sts-71-day-03-highlights.html "From a Distance" awakens space shuttle astronauts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209124514/http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/sts-71/sts-71-day-03-highlights.html |date=December 9, 2007 }}

{{Bette Midler singles}}

{{Cliff Richard singles}}

{{Grammy Award for Song of the Year 1990s}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:From A Distance}}

Category:1985 songs

Category:1980s ballads

Category:1990 singles

Category:Bette Midler songs

Category:Cliff Richard songs

Category:Kathy Mattea songs

Category:Nanci Griffith songs

Category:Grammy Award for Song of the Year

Category:Anti-war songs

Category:Songs about racism and xenophobia

Category:Songs written by Julie Gold

Category:Pop ballads

Category:Rock ballads

Category:Country ballads

Category:Atlantic Records singles

Category:EMI Records singles

Category:MCA Records singles