Go the Distance#Ricky Martin version

{{Other uses|Going the Distance (disambiguation){{!}}Going the Distance}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Go the Distance

| cover =

| alt =

| caption = From Disney's Hercules

| type = song

| artist = Roger Bart

| album = Hercules: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack

| released = May 16, 1997

| recorded = 1996{{cite web |last1=Coggan |first1=Devan |title=Original 'Hercules' voice actor Roger Bart talks going the distance, playing Hades on stage |url=https://ew.com/theater/2019/08/22/hercules-roger-bart-public-theater-stage-musical/ |website=EW.com |publisher=Meredith Corporation |access-date=26 June 2023 |language=en}}

| genre = Show tune

| length = 3:14

| label = Walt Disney

| composer = Alan Menken

| lyricist = David Zippel

| producer = Alan Menken

}}

"Go the Distance" is a song from Disney's 1997 animated feature film Hercules. It was written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist David Zippel, and originally recorded by American actor Roger Bart in his film role as the singing voice of Hercules. American singer-songwriter Michael Bolton recorded a pop version of the song for the film's end credits, which was also included on his eleventh studio album All That Matters (1997). Puerto Rican singer and actor Ricky Martin performed the Spanish version of the song, both in the movie and in the credits; this version is included on Martin's album Vuelve. Both the song and its reprise featured in a stage production of Hercules, performed upon the Disney Wonder during 2007/2008.

Production

"Go the Distance" was one of two songs written for Hercules in the film, the second being "Shooting Star", which failed to make the final cut. However, "Shooting Star" is included on the Hercules soundtrack CD, sung by Boyzone. The score for the original version of the song can be found in the Alan Menken Songbook.

Critical reception

Christian Clemmensen of Filmtracks deemed "Go the Distance" to be Hercules{{'}}s "only redeeming song" out of an unsatisfactory soundtrack. However, he criticized Roger Bart's version for his "whiny voice", which Clemmensen expressed had a tone that is "remarkably irritating", while he considered Michael Bolton's pop version to be "finely tuned".{{cite web|last1=Clemmensen|first=Christian|title=Hercules|url=https://www.filmtracks.com/titles/hercules.html|website=Filmtracks|publisher=Filmtracks Publications|access-date=January 9, 2021|date=December 17, 2006}}

The book Ways of Being Male felt that the phrase "go the distance" is a prime example of the way themes are "couched in the language of sport and competition" throughout the film.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gVaMAQAAQBAJ&q=%22Go+the+Distance%22+hercules&pg=PA119|title=Ways of Being Male: Representing Masculinities in Children's Literature|first=John|last=Stephens|date=18 October 2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781135363918|access-date=26 April 2018|via=Google Books}} Den of Geek deemed it "one of Disney's great anthems/motivational mantras for all aspiring athletes and deities."{{cite web|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/disney/35244/lost-in-translation-when-disney-lyrics-turn-italian|title=Lost in translation: when Disney lyrics turn Italian|website=denofgeek.com|date=20 May 2015|access-date=26 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006202132/http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/disney/35244/lost-in-translation-when-disney-lyrics-turn-italian|archive-date=6 October 2017}} Moviepilot suggests that the shooting star during "Go the Distance" is actually Aladdin and Jasmine's magic carpet ride.http://moviepilot.com/posts/2015/03/18/did-hercules-really-witness-a-whole-new-world-the-night-before-going-the-distance-2792680?lt_source=external,manual{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The Globe and Mail likened it to Duddy's "Leaving St. Urbain Street",{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/adapting-duddy-kravitz/article24649544/|title=The incredible, unbelievable, meshuga story of The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz: The Musical|access-date=26 April 2018|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=29 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313003214/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/adapting-duddy-kravitz/article24649544/|archive-date=13 March 2017|last1=Silcoff|first1=Sean}} while Boing Boing compared it to Pocahontas's "Just Around the Riverbend".{{cite web|url=http://boingboing.net/2015/04/17/all-of-disneys-i-want.html|title=All of Disney's "I Want" songs, ranked / Boing Boing|website=boingboing.net|date=17 April 2015|access-date=26 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531223250/http://boingboing.net/2015/04/17/all-of-disneys-i-want.html |archive-date=31 May 2017}} Vulture deemed it "inspiring".{{cite web|url=http://www.vulture.com/2014/07/disneys-hercules-is-an-underrated-masterpiece.html|title=Disney's Hercules Is an Underrated Masterpiece|date=25 July 2014|website=vulture.com|access-date=26 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007114646/http://www.vulture.com/2014/07/disneys-hercules-is-an-underrated-masterpiece.html|archive-date=7 October 2017}}

=Awards and chart placings=

The song was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. Both awards, however, went to "My Heart Will Go On", a song by Celine Dion from Titanic, a film directed by James Cameron. "Go the Distance" peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and went to #1 for 3 weeks on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart, Bolton's ninth song to top this chart.{{cite book |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2002 |publisher=Record Research |page=36}}

Versions

=Film version=

The song was recorded by American actor Roger Bart in his film role as the singing voice of Hercules.

"Go the Distance" is performed in the film by Hercules (age 15), who possesses god-like strength and finds it increasingly hard to fit in with his peers. The song serves as Hercules' prayer to the Gods to help him find where he truly belongs. His prayers are answered, as he is revealed to be the long-lost son of Zeus, king of the gods. Hercules is also told that he must become a true hero in order to rejoin his father on Mount Olympus. The number is later reprised when Hercules sets off on his quest to become a true hero, proclaiming that he wants to "go the distance" in order to prove himself.

=Michael Bolton version=

{{Infobox song

| name = Go the Distance

| cover = Go the Distance.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Michael Bolton

| album = Hercules: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack {{noitalic|and}} All That Matters

| released = {{start date|1997|5|20}}

| recorded = 1997

| genre = {{hlist|Pop|pop rock}}

| length = {{duration|m=4|s=42}}

| label = {{hlist|Walt Disney|Columbia}}

| composer = Alan Menken

| lyricist = David Zippel

| producer = {{hlist|Walter Afanasieff|Michael Bolton}}

| prev_title = Fool for Love (Requiem pour un Fou)

| prev_year = 1996

| next_title = The Best of Love

| next_year = 1997

| misc = {{External music video|header=Licensed audio|1={{YouTube|4tfnSv-tskg|"Go the Distance"}}}}

}}

American singer-songwriter Michael Bolton recorded a pop version of the song for the film's end credits. This version, produced by Walter Afanasieff and Bolton himself, was later included on Bolton's eleventh studio album, All That Matters (1997). Bolton's version was released as a commercial single by Walt Disney Records on May 20, 1997. It peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

The accompanying music video for Bolton's version was directed by Dani Jacobs. Sections of it were filmed in the Great Hall of the Brooklyn Museum and feature Bolton performing the song, intercut with scenes from Hercules.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/michael-bolton/307632/go-the-distance.jhtml# |title=Michael Bolton > Music Videos > go-the -distance |date=2004-09-13 |work=MTV |publisher=MTV Networks |accessdate=2008-12-07 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605024630/http://www.mtv.com/videos/michael-bolton/307632/go-the-distance.jhtml |archivedate=2011-06-05 }} Vocal Spectrum did a cover version of this Bolton's version.

==Credits and personnel==

Michael Bolton – lead vocals
Walter Afanasieff – keyboards, synth bass
Dan Shea – additional keyboards, computer programming
David Gleeson – Synclavier programming
Dann Huff – guitar, guitar solo
Michael Landau – guitar
John Robinson – drums
Jeremy Lubbock – orchestra arrangement and conductor
Jesse Levy – orchestra contractor
Sandy Griffith – backing vocals
Claytoven Richardson – backing vocals
Jeanie Tracy – backing vocals

==Charts==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
scope="col"\| Chart (1997) !scope="col"\| Peak position
align="left"\|US Billboard Hot 100{{Cite web\|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/michael-bolton\|title=Michael Bolton - Chart history {{!}} Billboard\|website=Billboard.com\|access-date=2019-07-29}} \|align="center"\|24

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

scope="col"| Chart (1997)

!scope="col"| Peak
position

align="left"|US Billboard Hot 100{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/michael-bolton|title=Michael Bolton - Chart history {{!}} Billboard|website=Billboard.com|access-date=2019-07-29}}

|align="center"|24

==Certifications==

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|type=single|title=Go the Distance|artist=Michael Bolton|relyear=1997|certyear=1997|access-date=2024-09-23}}

=Ricky Martin version=

{{Infobox song

| name = No Importa la Distancia

| cover = No importa la distancia.jpg

| alt =

| border = yes

| type = single

| artist = Ricky Martin

| album = Hércules: Banda Sonora En Español {{noitalic|and}} Vuelve

| released = July 1, 1997

| recorded = 1997

| genre = * Pop

pop rock

| length = 4:55

| label = * Walt Disney

Columbia

| composer = Alan Menken

| lyricist = Javier Pontón · Renato López

| producer = {{hlist|KC Porter|Robi Draco Rosa}}

| prev_title = Nada es Imposible

| prev_year = 1997

| next_title = Corazón

| next_year = 1997

| misc = {{External music video|header=Licensed audio|1={{YouTube|m-xSw_--FBk|"Ricky Martin - No Importa La Distancia (Go The Distance) (audio)"}}}}

}}

Ricky Martin recorded a Spanish-language version of "Go the Distance" from Hercules soundtrack, called "No Importa la Distancia" (English: "No Matter the Distance"). It was released as a single on July 1, 1997. Later, it was included on Martin's 1998 album Vuelve. A music video was also released. The song reached number ten on the Latin Pop Songs in the United States. Martin's version was met with unfavorable reactions from music critics. AllMusic's Jose F. Promis called "No Importa la Distancia" "pure schmaltz"{{cite web|last1=Promis|first1=Jose F.|title=Vuelve – Ricky Martin|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/vuelve-mw0000035320|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=November 30, 2015|archive-date=October 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021200819/http://www.allmusic.com/album/vuelve-mw0000035320|url-status=live}} In the San Antonio Express-News, Ramiro Burr found "No Importa la Distancia" to be "sappy",{{cite news |last1=Burr |first1=Ramiro |title=Martin, Ramos CDs deliver powerful mix of horns |work=San Antonio Express-News |publisher=Hearst Communications |date=March 15, 1998 |page=5J}} while The Dallas Morning News editor Mario Tarradell criticized the song as an "unwelcome dose of sugary pap".{{cite news |last1=Christensen |first1=Thor |last2=Tarradell |first2=Mario |title=Eric Clapton's 'Pilgrim' doesn't make any progress |work=The Dallas Morning News |publisher=A. H. Belo |date=March 8, 1998 |page=12C}}

==Charts==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"\| Chart (1997) !scope="col"\| Peak position
{{singlechart\|Billboardlatinpopsongs\|10\|artist=Ricky Martin\|rowheader=true\|access-date=January 12, 2016\|refname="latinpopsongs"}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

scope="col"| Chart (1997)

!scope="col"| Peak
position

{{singlechart|Billboardlatinpopsongs|10|artist=Ricky Martin|rowheader=true|access-date=January 12, 2016|refname="latinpopsongs"}}

===Formats and track listings===

European CD single

"No Importa la Distancia" performed by Ricky Martin – 4:51
"Já Não Há Distancia" performed by Ricky Martin – 4:45

European CD maxi-single

"No Importa la Distancia" performed by Ricky Martin – 4:51
"Já Não Há Distancia" performed by Ricky Martin – 4:45
"Go the Distance" (Cast Version) performed by Roger Bart – 3:13

=We Love Disney=

The song was covered in different languages for the series We Love Disney by:

Harrison Craig for We Love Disney, Australia in 2014{{Cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/it/album/we-love-disney/id933831488|title=We Love Disney di Various Artists su iTunes|website=iTunes|access-date=2016-11-01|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103220351/https://itunes.apple.com/it/album/we-love-disney/id933831488 |archive-date=2016-11-03}}
Jean-Baptiste Maunier for {{Interlanguage link multi|We Love Disney, France 2|fr|3=We Love Disney 2}} in 2014{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/it/album/we-love-disney-2/925669819|title=We Love Disney 2 di Multi-interprètes su Apple Music|website=iTunes|date=January 2014|access-date=2016-11-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103221934/https://itunes.apple.com/it/album/we-love-disney-2/id925669819 |archive-date=2016-11-03}}
Andrea Nardinocchi for {{Interlanguage link multi|We Love Disney, Italy|it|3=We Love Disney}} in 2015{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/it/album/we-love-disney-deluxe/1051433533|title=We Love Disney (Deluxe) di Various Artists su Apple Music|website=iTunes|date=20 November 2015|access-date=2016-11-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909052513/https://itunes.apple.com/it/album/we-love-disney-deluxe/id1051433533|archive-date=2016-09-09}}
David Bisbal for We Love Disney, Latin America in 2016{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/it/album/we-love-disney-latino/1090468173|title=We Love Disney (Latino) di Various Artists su Apple Music|website=iTunes|date=11 March 2016 |access-date=2016-10-12|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924092258/https://itunes.apple.com/it/album/we-love-disney-latino/id1090468173 |archive-date=2016-09-24}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Silver|type=single|title=Go the Distance|artist=Roger Bart|relyear=2004|certyear=2023|id=18685-6223-1|access-date=January 27, 2023}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Platinum|type=single|title=Go the Distance|artist=Roger Bart|relyear=1997|certyear=2022|access-date=August 29, 2022|refname=RIAA}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|nosales=true|streaming=true}}

Other appearances

In April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney Broadway Stars performed "Go the Distance" while self-isolating.{{Cite web|url=https://nerdist.com/article/broadway-stars-go-the-distance-virtual-performance/|title = Disney Broadway Stars Virtually Perform "Go the Distance"}}