"From a Distance" is a song by American singer-songwriterJulie Gold, initially penned in 1985.^[1][2] Gold's friendChristine Lavin introduced the song toNanci Griffith, who first recorded it for her 1987 albumLone Star State of Mind. A successful cover version byBette Midler was released in 1990.

Julie Gold has stated that she believes in animmanent 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]

"From a Distance"
Promotional single byNanci Griffith
from the albumLone 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 albumLone 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 herLone Star State of Mind album.

Griffith performed it live many times and a version of her live performance on August 19–20, 1988 at theAnderson Fair, a Houston, Texas club long known for featuring folk artists in an intimate setting, appeared in her live albumOne 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"

"From a Distance"
Single byBette Midler
from the albumSome People's Lives
B-side	"One More Round"
Released	September 19, 1990 (1990-09-19)
Genre	Pop
Length	4:37
Label	Atlantic
Songwriter	Julie Gold
Producer	Arif Mardin
Bette Midler singles chronology
"Wind Beneath My Wings" (1989) "From a Distance" (1990) "Night and Day" (1991)
Music video
"From a Distance" onYouTube

"From a Distance" became an international commercial success after it was covered by American singerBette Midler for her seventh studio album,Some People's Lives (1990). World events at this time gave the song a resonance as ananthem during theGulf War.^[6] It reached number one on the USBillboardAdult Contemporary chart and number two on both theCash Box Top 100 andBillboard Hot 100, becoming her fourth top 10.^[7] The song went on to win aGrammy forSong of the Year (for Julie Gold) in 1991 and a "3 Million Airs Award" fromBroadcast 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 withCliff 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 (ofFairport Convention) and many others.

Larry Flick fromBillboard 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 GermanBravo 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 fromCalgary Herald named it a "sure-hit", saying that it "should have been done byWhitney Houston".^[10]

Dave Sholin from theGavin Report felt the singer'sGrammy for "Wind Beneath My Wings" "reaffirmed her innate ability to extract every single ounce of emotion out of a song. Teaming once again with producerArif 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 fromThe 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]

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 onVH1's list of the "50 Most Awesomely Bad Songs Ever."^[14] and ranked at number 14 onBlender 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.

• 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]

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

• UK 12-inch and CD single (A 7820T; A7820CD)^[21][22]

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

"From a Distance"
Single byCliff Richard
from the albumFrom 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
"Silhouettes" (1990) "From a Distance" (1990) "Saviour's Day" (1990)
Music video
"From a Distance" onYouTube

A cover byCliff Richard released in October 1990 (very shortly after Midler's) served as the title track to his albumFrom a Distance: The Event, which reached number 11 on the UK Singles Chart^[53] and number 16 in Ireland.

Richard opened his 1999 concert atRoyal 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)

"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 theMagdalene 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]}

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

• "From a Distance" review atAllMusic
• "From a Distance" at Songfacts
• Video of Julie Gold's Grammy AcceptanceArchived September 28, 2007, at theWayback Machine
• "From a Distance" awakens space shuttle astronautsArchived December 9, 2007, at theWayback Machine

• 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

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