From a Distance
"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.
Interpretation
Julie Gold has stated that she believes in an
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] |
Genre | Country |
Length | 4:10 |
Label | MCA |
Songwriter(s) | Julie Gold |
Producer(s) | 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(s) | Julie Gold | |||
Producer(s) | 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
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 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 called it a "sure-hit", saying that it "should have been done by Whitney Houston".[10]
Dave Sholin from the
Retrospective response
In an 2020 retrospective review, Matthew Hocter from Albumism stated that the song "showcases her magnificent vocality, coupled with lyrics entrenched in hope and peace."
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)[44] | Gold | 35,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[45] | 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 | [45] |
United Kingdom | October 1, 1990 |
|
[46] | |
Japan | October 25, 1990 | Mini-CD | [47] |
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 | |||
Songwriter(s) | Julie Gold, PF Sloan | |||
Producer(s) | 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 Charts[48] 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)[49]
|
37 |
Ireland (IRMA)[50] | 16 |
11 |
Magdalene Survivors Together charity version
"From a Distance" | |
---|---|
Single by Various artists | |
Released | May 31, 2011 |
Length | 4:05 |
Songwriter(s) | Julie Gold, PF Sloan |
Producer(s) | John Reynolds, Tim Oliver |
"From a Distance" became a 2011 charity single
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.
- ^ 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.
- 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: Issue 9085." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 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.
- ^ "Bette Midler – From a Distance" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – From a Distance". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "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 Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ "Bette Midler Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Bette Midler Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
- ^ "Bette Midler Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
- ^ "Bette Midler Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
- ^ "Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. July 17, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ "Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1990". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. July 17, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
- 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.
- ^ "1991 The Year in Music" (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.
- ^ "ディスタンス | ベット・ミドラー" [Distance | Bette Midler] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart 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