"From a Distance" is a song by American singer-songwriter Julie Gold, initially penned in 1985.[1][2] Gold's friend Christine Lavin introduced the song to Nanci Griffith, who first recorded it for her 1987 album Lone Star State of Mind. A successful cover version by Bette Midler was released in 1990. Kathy Mattea released a cover of it on her 1991 album Time Passes By.
Interpretation
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.[3] She has stated that the song is about the difference between how things appear to be and how they really are.[3]
Original Nanci Griffith version
| "From a Distance" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Promotional single by Nanci Griffith | |
| from the album Lone Star State of Mind | |
| Written | 1985 |
| Released | 1988[4][deprecated source] |
| Genre | Country |
| Length | 4:10 |
| Label | MCA |
| Songwriter | Julie Gold |
| Producers | Tony Brown, Nancy Griffith |
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.
Track listing
- Irish 7-inch (MCA 1169)
- "From a Distance"
- "Sing One For Sister"
Charts
| Chart (1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Ireland (IRMA)[5] | 9 |
Bette Midler version
| "From a Distance" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Bette Midler | ||||
| from the album Some People's Lives | ||||
| B-side | "One More Round" | |||
| Released | September 19, 1990 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 4:37 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Songwriter | Julie Gold | |||
| Producer | Arif Mardin | |||
| Bette Midler singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "From a Distance" on YouTube | ||||
"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.[6] It reached number one on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and number two on both the Cash Box Top 100 and Billboard Hot 100, becoming her fourth top 10.[7] 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.
Critical reception
Larry Flick from Billboard magazine 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."[8] 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."[9] Alison Mayes from Calgary Herald named it a "sure-hit", saying that it "should have been done by Whitney Houston".[10]
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."[11] 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."[12]
Retrospective response
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."[13] Conversely, Midler's recording of the song ranked at number 37 on VH1's list of the "50 Most Awesomely Bad Songs Ever."[14] and ranked at number 14 on Blender Magazine's list of "The 50 Worst Songs Ever".[15] Criticisms focus on the song's lyrical content and the production of Midler's version.
Track listings
- US 7-inch and cassette single (7-87820; 4-87820)[16][17]
- UK 7-inch and cassette single (A 7820; A 7820C)[18][19]
- Japanese mini-CD single (AMDY-5032)[20]
- "From a Distance" – 4:37
- "One More Round" – 2:01
- "From a Distance"
- "One More Round"
- "Wind Beneath My Wings"
- "The Rose"
Charts
Weekly chartsOriginal version
Christmas version
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[47] | Gold | 35,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[48] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | September 19, 1990 |
|
Atlantic | [48] |
| United Kingdom | October 1, 1990 |
|
[49] | |
| Australia | October 15, 1990 |
|
[50] | |
| Japan | October 25, 1990 | Mini-CD | [51] | |
| Australia | November 19, 1990 | CD | [52] |
Cliff Richard version
| "From a Distance" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Cliff Richard | ||||
| from the album From a Distance: The Event | ||||
| B-side | "Lindsay Jane II" | |||
| Released | October 1, 1990 | |||
| Recorded | June 16–17, 1989 | |||
| Label | EMI | |||
| Songwriters | Julie Gold, PF Sloan | |||
| Producer | Cliff Richard | |||
| Cliff Richard singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "From a Distance" on YouTube | ||||
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 Chart[53] and number 16 in Ireland.
Richard opened his 1999 concert at Royal Albert Hall with the song.
Track listings
- UK 7-inch and picture disc single (EMI EM 155/EMI EMPD 155)
- "From a Distance"
- "Lindsay Jane II"
- UK CD and 12-inch single (EMI CDEM 155/EMI 12EM 155)
- "From a Distance"
- "Lindsay Jane II"
- "Wired for Sound" (live)
Charts
| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[54] | 37 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[55] | 16 |
| Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)[56] | 8 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[57] | 11 |
Magdalene Survivors Together charity version
| "From a Distance" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Various artists | |
| Released | May 31, 2011 |
| Length | 4:05 |
| Songwriters | Julie Gold, PF Sloan |
| Producers | John Reynolds, Tim Oliver |
"From a Distance" became a 2011 charity single[58] 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.[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ "The story behind the song "From a Distance"". performingsongwriter.com. Archived from the original on February 13, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
- ^ "official Julie Gold Biography". Archived from the original on May 28, 2006. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ a b "Julie Gold and Her Songs" Archived February 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Here on Earth - Radio Without Borders, Wisconsin Public Radio, February 19, 2005 (audio Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine)
- ^ "From a Distance by Nanci Griffith - RYM/Sonemic". Rateyourmusic.com. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – From a Distance". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ Harrington, Richard (March 20, 1991). "GULF WAR SONGS, OUT OF TUNE". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001. Record Research. p. 170.
- ^ Flick, Larry (October 6, 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 71. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
- ^ Riemann, Hannsjörg (January 1991). "Platten-News: Singles". Bravo (in German). p. 64. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
- ^ Mayes, Alison (October 11, 1990). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald.
- ^ Sholin, Dave (September 21, 1990). "Gavin Picks > Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. No. 1825. p. 68. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ^ Sandbloom, Gene (September 21, 1990). "Top 40: Music Meeting" (PDF). The Network Forty. p. 28. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ^ Hocter, Matthew (September 3, 2020). "Bette Midler's 'Some People's Lives' Turns 30: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
- ^ "VH1.com : Shows : 50 Most Awesomely Bad Songs...Ever : Countdown". June 7, 2004. Archived from the original on June 7, 2004. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ "Blender - All Things Blender, All in One Place". Archived from the original on May 8, 2004.
- ^ From a Distance (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Bette Midler. Atlantic Records. 1990. 7-87820.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ From a Distance (US cassette single sleeve). Bette Midler. Atlantic Records. 1990. 4-87820.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ From a Distance (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Bette Midler. Atlantic Records. 1990. A 7820, 7567-87820-7.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ From a Distance (UK cassette single sleeve). Bette Midler. Atlantic Records. 1990. A 7820C, 7567 87820-4.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ From a Distance (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). Bette Midler. Atlantic Records. 1990. AMDY-5032.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ From a Distance (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Bette Midler. Atlantic Records. 1990. A 7820T.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ From a Distance (UK CD single liner notes). Bette Midler. Atlantic Records. 1990. A7820CD, 7567-78611-2.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Bette Midler – From a Distance". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Image 9085". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Image 9174". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 27. July 9, 1991. p. 45. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
- ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – From a Distance". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ Radio Luxembourg Singles. July 7, 1991.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 32, 1991" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- ^ "Bette Midler – From a Distance" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "Bette Midler – From a Distance". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart on 29/6/1991 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ "Playlist Chart" (PDF). Music Week. July 6, 1991. p. 16. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
- ^ "Bette Midler Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Bette Midler Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
- ^ Cash Box Chart Entries 1990-1996
- ^ "Bette Midler Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2022. [dead link]
- ^ "Bette Midler Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
- ^ "Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990". RPM. December 21, 1991. Retrieved April 11, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
- ^ "Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1990". RPM. December 21, 1991. Retrieved April 11, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
- ^ "Top 100 Singles – Jahrescharts 1991" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ "1991 Top 100 Singles". Music Week. January 11, 1992. p. 20.
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1991". Archived from the original on July 7, 2009. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
- ^ "The Year in Music 1991: Top Adult Contemporary Singles" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 103, no. 51. December 21, 1991. p. YE-36. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1990 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
- ^ a b "American single certifications – Bette Midler – From a Distance". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ "New Singles". Music Week. September 29, 1990. p. 31.
- ^ "New Release Summary: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 40. October 14, 1990. p. 18.
- ^ "ディスタンス | ベット・ミドラー" [Distance | Bette Midler] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ "New Release Summary: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 45. November 18, 1990. p. 19.
- ^ "from a distance | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. October 27, 1990. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – From a Distance". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ Radio Luxembourg Singles. October 21, 1990.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart on 20/10/1990 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ "Magda Lene Survivors Together | Blog". Magdalenesurvivorstogether.net. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
External links
- "From a Distance" review at AllMusic
- "From a Distance" at Songfacts
- Video of Julie Gold's Grammy Acceptance Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- "From a Distance" awakens space shuttle astronauts Archived December 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
| Studio albums | |
|---|---|
| Soundtracks | |
| Live albums | |
| Compilations | |
| Video albums | |
| Singles |
|
| Concerts and tours | |
| Books | |
- 1985 songs
- 1980s ballads
- 1990 singles
- Bette Midler songs
- Cliff Richard songs
- Kathy Mattea songs
- Nanci Griffith songs
- Grammy Award for Song of the Year
- Anti-war songs
- Songs about racism and xenophobia
- Songs written by Julie Gold
- Pop ballads
- Rock ballads
- Country ballads
- Atlantic Records singles
- EMI Records singles
- MCA Records singles
