From a Distance
Encyclopedia
"From a Distance" is a song written in 1985 by American
singer-songwriter
Julie Gold
. Some think this song was inspired by a PF Sloan song of the same name. Gold was working as a secretary
at the time for Home Box Office
and writing songs in her free time. Gold's friend, Christine Lavin
, introduced the song to Nanci Griffith
who first recorded it for her 1987 album, Lone Star State of Mind
. It quickly became a favorite of Griffith's fans around the world. The Byrds
recorded the song as one of 4 newly recorded studio tracks for their box set The Byrds
released in 1990. The song then became an international commercial success after it was recorded in 1990 by Bette Midler
for the album Some People's Lives
. "From a Distance" went to number one on the Adult Contemporary chart and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100
. The song went on to win a Grammy
for Song of the Year
in 1991.
Bette Midler re-recorded a Christmas version for her 2006 Christmas Album, Cool Yule
, with additional lyrics by Midler, Robbie Buchanan
and Jay Landers. Additional recordings of the original have been performed by Gold, Griffith, Simon Nicol
(of Fairport Convention
) and many others. The song has also been sung by a number of children's choirs (including the performing arts group Theatretrain
)
Much of the song's popularity coincided with the first Persian Gulf War
.
The song also won a "3 Million Airs Award" from Broadcast Music Incorporated
.
The Bette Midler album, Some People's Lives also peaked at number 6 in the Billboard 200
.
CASS: USA (Atlantic 7567-84888-4)
3": Japan (Atlantic AMDY-5032)
CDM: USA (Atlantic PRCD3528) Promo
CDM: UK (Atlantic A7820CD)
12": UK (Atlantic A7820T)
CDM: USA (Columbia 88697-00957-2)
Note: Christmas version from 2006
's list of the "50 Most Awesomely Bad Songs Ever." and ranked at number 14 on Blender Magazine's list of "The 50 Worst Songs Ever". Criticisms focus on the song's lyrical content and the production of Midler's version, suggesting the single offers "liberal homilies, stiff rhymes and more sound F/X
than a Mel Gibson
movie." Blender's editors declare the "Worst Moment" to result from the use of the drum machine
, stating, "If God exists, He probably hates drum machines." More recently, Matthew Wilkening of AOL Radio
ranked Midler's version of the song at #59 on the list of the 100 Worst Songs Ever, stating that God is "no dummy", with "less chance of hearing this [song] from up there."
In 1992, singer-songwriter
Jay Mankita
wrote a parody, "From a Dog's Stance", which appeared in Sing Out!
magazine and was later included on his recording, Dogs Are Watching Us. Mankita adopts the viewpoint of the canine rather than the divine:
The song has also been satirized by singer-songwriter Sue Trainor in her "In a Closeup". According to a Washington Post review, "Trainor seems to genuinely admire 'From a Distance', Julie Gold's anthem of universal brotherhood, for she treats the hymn-like melody with great respect. She changes the lyrics, though, and instead of waxing poetic about the beauty of the world 'from a distance', she points out how flawed it all looks 'in a closeup'."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Julie Gold
Julie Gold
Julie Gold is a New York singer-songwriter. She is best known for Bette Midler's version of her song "From a Distance" which won the Grammy for Song of the Year in 1991....
. Some think this song was inspired by a PF Sloan song of the same name. Gold was working as a secretary
Secretary
A secretary, or administrative assistant, is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication & organizational skills. These functions may be entirely carried out to assist one other employee or may be for the benefit...
at the time for Home Box Office
Home Box Office
HBO, short for Home Box Office, is an American premium cable television network, owned by Time Warner. , HBO's programming reaches 28.2 million subscribers in the United States, making it the second largest premium network in America . In addition to its U.S...
and writing songs in her free time. Gold's friend, Christine Lavin
Christine Lavin
Christine Lavin is a New York City-based singer-songwriter and promoter of contemporary folk music. She has recorded numerous solo albums, and has also recorded with other female folk artists under the name Four Bitchin' Babes...
, introduced the song to Nanci Griffith
Nanci Griffith
Nanci Griffith, is an American singer, guitarist and songwriter from Austin, Texas.-Biography:...
who first recorded it for her 1987 album, Lone Star State of Mind
Lone Star State of Mind
Lone Star State of Mind is Nanci Griffith's fifth album, and her first with a major recording label. Griffith's music had seen a turn from her original folk music base into more commercially viable country music in her previous two albums. On the current album she enlists the hit-making talents of...
. It quickly became a favorite of Griffith's fans around the world. The Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
recorded the song as one of 4 newly recorded studio tracks for their box set The Byrds
The Byrds (boxed set)
The Byrds is a four-CD box set by the American rock band The Byrds that was released on October 19, 1990 by Columbia/Legacy. The compilation comprises 90 tracks and covers the band's career from 1965 to 1971 in roughly chronological order, but excludes material from their 1973 reunion album...
released in 1990. The song then became an international commercial success after it was recorded in 1990 by Bette Midler
Bette Midler
Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She became famous as a cabaret and concert headliner, and went on to star in successful and acclaimed films such as The Rose, Ruthless People, Beaches, and For The Boys...
for the album Some People's Lives
Some People's Lives
Some People's Lives is the seventh studio album by American singer Bette Midler, released on the Atlantic Records label in 1990. It contains one of her biggest hits, "From A Distance", which won her a Grammy for Song of the Year in 1991....
. "From a Distance" went to number one on the Adult Contemporary chart and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. The song went on to win a Grammy
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Song of the Year
Grammy Award for Song of the Year
The Song of the Year is one of the four most prestigious awards in the Grammy Awards ceremony, if not in all of the American music industry. It has been awarded since 1959 and unlike the Record of the Year award, which goes to the performer and production team of a single song, Song of the Year...
in 1991.
Bette Midler re-recorded a Christmas version for her 2006 Christmas Album, Cool Yule
Cool Yule
Cool Yule is a holiday album by Bette Midler released on October 10, 2006. The album features many Christmas tunes as well as a reworking of her Grammy-winning hit "From a Distance"....
, with additional lyrics by Midler, Robbie Buchanan
Robbie Buchanan
Robbie Buchanan is a Canadian keyboardist, songwriter, arranger, and producer.Buchanan began playing the piano at the age of 6. He acquired his first paying gig as a pianist at the age of 12 playing 6 nights a week in Dawson City, Yukon Territory. While still a teenager, Buchanan joined a band...
and Jay Landers. Additional recordings of the original have been performed by Gold, Griffith, Simon Nicol
Simon Nicol
Simon John Breckenridge Nicol is a guitarist, singer, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He was a founder member of British folk rock, or electric folk group Fairport Convention and is the only founding member still in the band...
(of Fairport Convention
Fairport Convention
Fairport Convention are an English folk rock and later electric folk band, formed in 1967 who are still recording and touring today. They are widely regarded as the most important single group in the English folk rock movement...
) and many others. The song has also been sung by a number of children's choirs (including the performing arts group Theatretrain
Theatretrain
Theatretrain is a Performing Arts organisation founded by teacher/director Kevin Dowsett in 1992. It gives part time training in drama, dance and singing to children and young people aged between 6 and 18 years of age. Since 1993 it has grown into one of the largest professional performing arts...
)
Much of the song's popularity coincided with the first Persian Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
.
The song also won a "3 Million Airs Award" from Broadcast Music Incorporated
Broadcast Music Incorporated
Broadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
.
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. She has stated that the song is about the difference between how things appear to be and how they really are.Charts
| Date | Recording artist | Country | Chart | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1990 | Bette Midler Bette Midler Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She became famous as a cabaret and concert headliner, and went on to star in successful and acclaimed films such as The Rose, Ruthless People, Beaches, and For The Boys... |
US | Billboard Adult Contemporary | 1 |
| July 1990 | Bette Midler | US | The Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
2 |
| Oct 1990 | Cliff Richard Cliff Richard Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide.... |
UK | UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
11 |
| Jan 1991 | Bette Midler | Australia | ARIA Chart | 8 |
| June 1991 | Bette Midler | UK | UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
6 |
| Year-end chart (1991) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 15 |
The Bette Midler album, Some People's Lives also peaked at number 6 in the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
.
Track listings
7": UK (Atlantic A7820)CASS: USA (Atlantic 7567-84888-4)
3": Japan (Atlantic AMDY-5032)
- "From a Distance"
- "One More Round"
CDM: USA (Atlantic PRCD3528) Promo
- "From a Distance"
CDM: UK (Atlantic A7820CD)
12": UK (Atlantic A7820T)
- "From a Distance"
- "One More Round"
- "Wind Beneath My Wings"
- "The Rose"
CDM: USA (Columbia 88697-00957-2)
- "From a Distance (Christmas Version)"
Note: Christmas version from 2006
Cover versions
- Cliff RichardCliff RichardSir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
(1990), which reached No. 11 in the UK Charts - Donna SummerDonna SummerLaDonna Adrian Gaines , known by her stage name, Donna Summer, is an American singer/songwriter who gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s. She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Summer is a five-time Grammy winner and was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach...
, Nanci GriffithNanci GriffithNanci Griffith, is an American singer, guitarist and songwriter from Austin, Texas.-Biography:...
and Raul MaloRaul MaloRaúl Francisco Martínez-Malo Jr. , known professionally as Raúl Malo, is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and record producer. He was the lead singer of country music band The Mavericks and the co-writer of many of their singles, as well as Rick Trevino's 2003 single "In My Dreams"...
(1996) One Voice: Olympic Album (produced by Michael OmartianMichael OmartianMichael Omartian is an Armenian-American singer-songwriter, keyboardist, and music producer. He has been a participant in over 350,000,000 albums and CD’s sold worldwide, as a producer, arranger, artist or musician, during a career that has spanned over 38 years...
) Performed in French, English, Spanish and German - Elaine PaigeElaine PaigeElaine Paige OBE is an English singer and actress best known for her work in musical theatre. Raised in Barnet, North London, Paige attended the Aida Foster stage school, making her first professional appearance on stage in 1964, at the age of 16...
recorded a version during the sessions for her 1991 album Love Can Do ThatLove Can Do That (album)Love Can Do That is an album by Elaine Paige, released in 1991. It was Paige's first album released by RCA and marketed in Europe by BMG. Produced by Dennis Lambert and recorded at The Zoo in Encino, California. The album reached #36 in the UK album chart...
, which was only later released on her 1997 From a Distance compilation album. - John BarrowmanJohn BarrowmanJohn Scot Barrowman is a Scottish-American singer, actor, dancer, musical theatre performer and media personality. Born in Glasgow yet growing up in Illinois after his family emigrated to the United States when he was eight years old, Barrowman was encouraged to further his love for music and...
(2008), a cover version recorded for his album Music Music Music
Put-downs and parodies
The Bette Midler recording of the song ranked at number 37 on VH1VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
's list of the "50 Most Awesomely Bad Songs Ever." and ranked at number 14 on Blender Magazine's list of "The 50 Worst Songs Ever". Criticisms focus on the song's lyrical content and the production of Midler's version, suggesting the single offers "liberal homilies, stiff rhymes and more sound F/X
Sound effect
For the album by The Jam, see Sound Affects.Sound effects or audio effects are artificially created or enhanced sounds, or sound processes used to emphasize artistic or other content of films, television shows, live performance, animation, video games, music, or other media...
than a Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson
Mel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson, AO is an American actor, film director, producer and screenwriter. Born in Peekskill, New York, Gibson moved with his parents to Sydney, Australia when he was 12 years old and later studied acting at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art.After appearing in...
movie." Blender's editors declare the "Worst Moment" to result from the use of the drum machine
Drum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
, stating, "If God exists, He probably hates drum machines." More recently, Matthew Wilkening of AOL Radio
AOL Radio
AOL Radio powered by Slacker, , is an online radio service available only in the United States.- Roots :...
ranked Midler's version of the song at #59 on the list of the 100 Worst Songs Ever, stating that God is "no dummy", with "less chance of hearing this [song] from up there."
In 1992, singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Jay Mankita
Jay Mankita
Jay Mankita is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. His original songs integrate elements of blues, bluegrass, ballads, ragtime, swing, and samba, and he also performs old standards. His work features humor and is often pointed politically, as in his 2004 release "", which is critical of...
wrote a parody, "From a Dog's Stance", which appeared in Sing Out!
Sing Out!
Sing Out! is a quarterly journal of folk music and folk songs that has been published since May 1950.-Background:Sing Out! is the primary publication of the tax exempt, not-for-profit, educational corporation of the same name...
magazine and was later included on his recording, Dogs Are Watching Us. Mankita adopts the viewpoint of the canine rather than the divine:
| From a dog's stance, we all have enough... |
| so why not give dogs more? |
| From a dog's stance, dogs can't comprehend... |
| what all these cats are for. |
| From a dog's stance, we are waitresses... |
| marching to the kitchen now. |
| Bringing bowls of food...Make that "people" food... |
| That's the stance of every dog. |
The song has also been satirized by singer-songwriter Sue Trainor in her "In a Closeup". According to a Washington Post review, "Trainor seems to genuinely admire 'From a Distance', Julie Gold's anthem of universal brotherhood, for she treats the hymn-like melody with great respect. She changes the lyrics, though, and instead of waxing poetic about the beauty of the world 'from a distance', she points out how flawed it all looks 'in a closeup'."