From a Distance

"From a Distance"
"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

"From a Distance"
"From a Distance"
Single by Bette Midler
from the album Some People's Lives
B-side	"One More Round"
Released	October 1, 1990
Genre	Pop
Length	4:37
Label	Atlantic
Songwriter(s)	Julie Gold, PF Sloan
Producer(s)	Arif Mardin
Bette Midler singles chronology
Music video
	"From a Distance" on YouTube

"From a Distance"
"From a Distance"
Promotional single by Nanci Griffith
from the album Lone Star State of Mind
Released	1988
Genre	Country
Length	4:10
Label	MCA
Producer(s)	Tony Brown, Nancy Griffith

"From a Distance" is a song written in 1985^[1] by American singer-songwriter Julie Gold. Gold was working as a secretary at the time for HBO and writing songs in her free time.^[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.

The song was covered a number of times, with the most successful being a version by Bette Midler which became a major hit in 1990.

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[]

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[]

Ireland 7" (MCA 1169)

"From a Distance"
"Sing One For Sister"

Charts[]

Chart (1988)	Peak position
Ireland (IRMA)^[5]	9

Bette Midler version[]

The song became an international commercial success after it was recorded in 1990 by Bette Midler for the album Some People's Lives. "From a Distance" reached number one on the Adult Contemporary chart and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 behind Stevie B's "Because I Love You (The Postman Song)"^[6] The song went on to win a Grammy for Song of the Year in 1991. The song also won a "3 Million Airs Award" from Broadcast Music Incorporated.

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[]

Matthew Hocter from Albumism stated that the song "showcases her magnificent vocality, coupled with lyrics entrenched in hope and peace."^[7] Larry Flick from Billboard described it as a "soothing hymn that invokes inspirational images similar to "Wind Beneath My Wings", adding that it "proves that the Divine Miss M still has what it takes to tackle top 40 territory."^[8] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report noted that Midler'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."^[9] Gene Sandbloom from The Network Forty said 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."^[10] Conversely, Midler's recording of the song ranked at number 37 on VH1's list of the "50 Most Awesomely Bad Songs Ever."^[11] and ranked at number 14 on Blender Magazine's list of "The 50 Worst Songs Ever".^[12] Criticisms focus on the song's lyrical content and the production of Midler's version.

Track listings[]

UK 7" (Atlantic A7820) US cassette (Atlantic 7567-84888-4) Japan 3" (Atlantic AMDY-5032)

"From a Distance"
"One More Round"

US CD maxi promo (Atlantic PRCD3528)

"From a Distance"

UK CD maxi (Atlantic A7820CD) UK 12" (Atlantic A7820T)

"From a Distance"
"One More Round"
"Wind Beneath My Wings"
"The Rose"

US CD maxi (Columbia 88697-00957-2)

"From a Distance (Christmas Version)"

Note: Christmas version from 2006

Charts[]

Weekly charts[]

Chart (1990–1991)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[13]	8
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[14]	7
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)^[15]	1
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[16]	14
Germany (Official German Charts)^[17]	14
Ireland (IRMA)^[18]	3
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[19]	33
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[20]	33
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[21]	3
UK Singles (OCC)^[22]	6
US Billboard Hot 100^[23]	2
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[24]	1

Year-end charts[]

Chart (1990)	Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[25]	61
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)^[26]	15

Chart (1991)	Position
Australia (ARIA)^[27]	51
Germany (Official German Charts)^[28]	63
UK Singles (OCC)^[29]	87
US Billboard Hot 100^[30]	15
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[31]	25

All-time charts[]

Chart (1958–2018)	Position
US Billboard Hot 100^[32]	252

Certifications[]


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)^[33]	Platinum	1,000,000^{^}
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Cliff Richard version[]

The song was simultaneously released by Cliff Richard in October 1990 from a similarly titled album From a Distance: The Event reaching number 11 in the UK Singles Charts^[34] and number 16 in Ireland.

In 1999, on his "40th Anniversary Tour" as a recording artist, Richard opened his concert in Royal Albert Hall with the song.

Track listings[]

UK 7"/UK Picture Disc (EMI EM 155/EMI EMPD 155)

"From a Distance"
"Lindsay Jane II"

UK CD single/UK 12" (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)^[35]	37
Ireland (IRMA)^[36]	16
UK Singles (OCC)^[37]	11

Magdalene Survivors Together charity version[]

"From a Distance"

Single by Various artists
Released	2011
Length	4:05
Songwriter(s)	Julie Gold
Producer(s)	John Reynolds, Tim Oliver

"From a Distance" became a 2011 charity single^[38] in support of Magdalene Survivors Together, a charity set in July 2009 by Gerard Boland focusing on the human rights aspect of the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland. The 2011 single 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.

Other cover versions[]

Judy Collins sang it live in 1989, being first recorded in her live album , and in 1990 in her studio album Fires of Eden.
The Byrds (1990) for their eponymous box set
Tilda Swinton performed the song in the character of Cissie Crouch in the 1990 TV series Your Cheatin’ Heart. It was sung by Eddi Reader on the soundtrack album of the series.
Kathy Mattea, for her 1991 album Time Passes By
Donna Summer, Nanci Griffith and Raul Malo (1996) One Voice: Olympic Album (produced by Michael Omartian) Performed in French, English, Spanish and German
Richard Clayderman and James Last recorded an instrumental version for their promo album and a German TV show in 1991, the song later appeared on their 1995 album Welthits in Gold (world hits in gold).
Elaine Paige recorded a version during the sessions for her 1991 album Love Can Do That, which was only later released on her 1997 From a Distance compilation album.
Fairport Convention on the Wormwood Years album (1991)^[39] and subsequently on other albums including the 2002 release From Cropready to Portmerion (recorded live during their 1990 British Winter Tour).^[40]
Simon Nicol on his 1987 album Before Your Time.
Riva Taylor (as Becky), on her 2004 album Shine.
John Barrowman (2008), a cover version recorded for his album Music Music Music.
Ingebjørg Harman Bratland (2014), a cover version "På avstand" sung in Norwegian, in a traditional Norwegian singing style.
Brenda Fassie (1996), recorded a live cover version on the 10th of March 1996 at the Opera House of the State Theatre in Pretoria,South Africa. It was included in the DVD release of the same concert titled “Brenda Fassie: Live”.
David Archuleta (2020), recorded a cover version with the Rexburg Children's Choir.^[41]

Parodies[]

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.^[42] 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."^[42]
The song has also been satirized by singer-songwriter in her In a Closeup.^[43] 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'."^[44]^[45]
In 2020 a parody of the song called "Keep Your Distance" was written, reminding listeners to practice social distancing.^{[citation needed]}

References[]

^ [1]
^ "official Julie Gold Biography". Archived from the original on May 28, 2006. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
^ Jump up to: ^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.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001. Record Research. p. 170.
^ Hocter, Matthew (September 3, 2020). "Bette Midler's 'Some People's Lives' Turns 30: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
^ "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. October 6, 1990. p. 71. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
^ Sholin, Dave (September 21, 1990). "Gavin Picks > Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. No. 1825. p. 68. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
^ "Top 40: Music Meeting" (PDF). The Network Forty. September 21, 1990. p. 28. Retrieved March 21, 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.
^ [2]
^ "Australian-charts.com – 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.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – 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
^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Bette Midler – From a Distance" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
^ "Charts.nz – 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.
^ "Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
^ "Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1990". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
^ 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.
^ "1991 The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 103 no. 51. December 21, 1991. p. YE-36. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
^ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
^ "American single certifications – Bette Midler – From a Distance". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
^ "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.
^ "Woodworm Years - Fairport Convention | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
^ "From Cropredy to Portmeirion - Fairport Convention | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
^ Jones, Valerie (August 6, 2020). "Watch: David Archuleta and the Rexburg Children's Choir perform 'From a Distance' in new music video". Deseret News. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "From a Dog's Stance" lyrics from official Jay Mankita web site
^ "In a Closeup, album". Archived from the original on February 4, 2002. Retrieved June 17, 2009. by Sue Trainor
^ "Trainor's Reverent Poke at Folk" by Geoffrey Himes, The Washington Post, April 30, 1993
^ Himes, Geoffrey (April 30, 1993). "Trainor's Reverent Poke At Folk". The Washington Post.

External links[]

[1] [1]

[JG-2] "official Julie Gold Biography". Archived from the original on May 28, 2006. Retrieved April 24, 2021.

[clipcast-3] Jump up to: ^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)

[4] "From a Distance by Nanci Griffith - RYM/Sonemic". Rateyourmusic.com. Retrieved April 24, 2021.

[sc_Ireland2_-5] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – From a Distance". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 11, 2019.

[6] Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001. Record Research. p. 170.

[7] Hocter, Matthew (September 3, 2020). "Bette Midler's 'Some People's Lives' Turns 30: Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved November 16, 2020.

[8] "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. October 6, 1990. p. 71. Retrieved February 16, 2020.

[9] Sholin, Dave (September 21, 1990). "Gavin Picks > Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report. No. 1825. p. 68. Retrieved April 17, 2018.

[10] "Top 40: Music Meeting" (PDF). The Network Forty. September 21, 1990. p. 28. Retrieved March 21, 2020.

[VH1-11] "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.

[Blend-12] [2]

[sc_Australia_Bette_Midler-13] "Australian-charts.com – Bette Midler – From a Distance". ARIA Top 50 Singles.

[sc_Canadatopsingles_-14] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9085." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 11, 2019.

[sc_Canadaadultcontemporary_-15] "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9174." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 11, 2019.

[16] "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8 no. 27. July 9, 1991. p. 45. Retrieved September 16, 2020.

[sc_Germany_Bette_Midler-17] "Offiziellecharts.de – Bette Midler – From a Distance" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts.

[midlerire-18] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – From a Distance". Irish Singles Chart.

[sc_Dutch40_-19] "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 32, 1991" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40

[sc_Dutch100_Bette_Midler-20] "Dutchcharts.nl – Bette Midler – From a Distance" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.

[sc_New_Zealand_Bette_Midler-21] "Charts.nz – Bette Midler – From a Distance". Top 40 Singles.

[sc_UK_-22] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 11, 2019.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Bette_Midler-23] "Bette Midler Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.

[sc_Billboardadultcontemporary_Bette_Midler-24] "Bette Midler Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.

[25] "Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 11, 2019.

[26] "Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1990". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 11, 2019.

[27] Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.

[28] "Top 100 Singles – Jahrescharts 1991" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 11, 2019.

[29] "1991 Top 100 Singles". Music Week. January 11, 1992. p. 20.

[30] "Billboard Top 100 – 1991". Archived from the original on July 7, 2009. Retrieved September 15, 2009.

[31] "1991 The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 103 no. 51. December 21, 1991. p. YE-36. Retrieved August 9, 2021.

[32] "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2019.

[United_StatesBette_MidlerFrom_a_DistancesingleCertRef-33] "American single certifications – Bette Midler – From a Distance". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 11, 2019.

[34] "from a distance | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved April 24, 2021.

[35] "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. October 27, 1990. Retrieved June 20, 2021.

[richardire-36] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – From a Distance". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 11, 2019.

[richarduk-37] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 11, 2019.

[38] "Magda Lene Survivors Together | Blog". Magdalenesurvivorstogether.net. Retrieved April 24, 2021.

[39] "Woodworm Years - Fairport Convention | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved April 24, 2021.

[40] "From Cropredy to Portmeirion - Fairport Convention | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved April 24, 2021.

[41] Jones, Valerie (August 6, 2020). "Watch: David Archuleta and the Rexburg Children's Choir perform 'From a Distance' in new music video". Deseret News. Retrieved December 20, 2020.

[JM-42] Jump up to: ^a ^b "From a Dog's Stance" lyrics from official Jay Mankita web site

[ST-43] "In a Closeup, album". Archived from the original on February 4, 2002. Retrieved June 17, 2009. by Sue Trainor

[WP-44] "Trainor's Reverent Poke at Folk" by Geoffrey Himes, The Washington Post, April 30, 1993

[45] Himes, Geoffrey (April 30, 1993). "Trainor's Reverent Poke At Folk". The Washington Post.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]

[41]

[42]

[43]

[44]

[45]

show v t Bette Midler
Discography Awards and nominations
Studio albums	The Divine Miss M Bette Midler Songs for the New Depression Broken Blossom Thighs and Whispers No Frills Some People's Lives Bette of Roses Bathhouse Betty Bette Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook Cool Yule It's the Girls!
Soundtracks	The Rose Beaches For the Boys Gypsy
Live albums	Live at Last Divine Madness Mud Will Be Flung Tonight
Compilations	The Best of Bette The Best of Bette (II) Just Hits Experience the Divine: Greatest Hits (Jackpot!) The Best Bette Memories of You A Gift of Love
Video albums	Divine Madness The Bette Midler Show Diva Las Vegas The Showgirl Must Go On
Singles	"Do You Want to Dance?" "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" "Friends" "In the Mood" "Strangers in the Night" "Old Cape Cod" "Buckets of Rain" "Hang On in There Baby" "You're Movin' Out Today" "Big Noise from Winnetka" "When a Man Loves a Woman" "The Rose" "Chapel of Love" "All I Need to Know" "Favorite Waste of Time" "Beast of Burden" "Under the Boardwalk" "Wind Beneath My Wings" "From a Distance" "Night and Day" "In My Life" "In This Life" "You Don't Own Me" "I'm Beautiful" "White Christmas" "Fever" "Be My Baby"
Tours	Experience the Divine Diva Las Vegas Kiss My Brass The Showgirl Must Go On Divine Intervention Tour
Books	The Saga of Baby Divine
Category

show v t Cliff Richard singles discography
1950s	"Move It" (1958) "High Class Baby" (1958) "Livin' Lovin' Doll" (1959) "Mean Streak" (1959) "Living Doll" (1959) "Travellin' Light" (1959)
1960s	"A Voice in the Wilderness" (1960) "Fall in Love with You" (1960) "Please Don't Tease" (1960) "Nine Times Out of Ten" (1960) "I Love You" (1960) "Theme for a Dream" (1961) "Gee Whizz It's You" (1961) "A Girl Like You" (1961) "When the Girl in Your Arms..." (1961) "The Young Ones" / "We Say Yeah" (1962) "I'm Lookin' Out the Window" / "Do You Want to Dance?" (1962) "It'll Be Me" (1962) "The Next Time" / "Bachelor Boy" (1962) "Summer Holiday" (1963) "Lucky Lips" (1963) "It's All in the Game" (1963) "Don't Talk to Him" (1963) "Maria No Mas" (1963) "I'm the Lonely One" (1964) "I Only Have Eyes for You" (1964) "Constantly (L'Edera)" (1964) "On the Beach" (1964) "The Twelfth of Never" (1964) "I Could Easily Fall (In Love with You)" (1964) "The Minute You're Gone" (1965) "Angel" (1965) "Wind Me Up (Let Me Go)" (1965) "Blue Turns to Grey" (1966) "Visions" (1966) "Time Drags By" (1966) "In the Country" (1966) "It's All Over" (1967) "The Day I Met Marie" (1967)" "All My Love" (1967) "Congratulations" (1968) "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" (1968) "Marianne" (1968) "Big Ship" (1969) "Early in the Morning" (1969) "Throw Down a Line" (1969)
1970s	"Goodbye Sam, Hello Samantha" (1970) "Sunny Honey Girl" (1971) "Sing a Song of Freedom" (1971) "Living in Harmony" (1972) "Power to All Our Friends" (1973) "(You Keep Me) Hangin' On" (1974) "Honky Tonk Angel" (1975) "Miss You Nights" (1976) "Devil Woman" (1976) "I Can't Ask for Anymore Than You" (1976) "Hey Mr. Dream Maker" (1976) "My Kinda Life" (1977) "When Two Worlds Drift Apart" (1977) "Green Light" (1979) "We Don't Talk Anymore" (1979)
1980s	"Carrie" (1980) "Dreamin'" (1980) "Suddenly" (1980) "A Little in Love" (1980) "Give a Little Bit More" (1981) "Wired for Sound" (1981) "Daddy's Home" (live) (1981) "The Only Way Out" (1982) "Little Town" (1982) "She Means Nothing to Me" (1983) "True Love Ways" (live) (1983) "Never Say Die (Give a Little Bit More)" (1983) "Please Don't Fall in Love" (1983) "Baby You're Dynamite" / "Ocean Deep" (1984) "Donna" (1984 US) "Two to the Power of Love" (1984) "She's So Beautiful" (1985) "Living Doll" (1986) "All I Ask of You" (1986) "My Pretty One" (1987) "Some People" (1987) "Remember Me" (1987) "Two Hearts" (1988) "Mistletoe and Wine" (1988) "The Best of Me" (1989) "I Just Don't Have the Heart" (1989) "Lean on You" (1989) "Whenever God Shines His Light" (1989)
1990s	"Stronger Than That" (1990) "Silhouettes" (live) (1990) "From a Distance" (live) (1990) "Saviour's Day" (1990) "Scarlet Ribbons" (1991) "We Should Be Together" (1991) "I Still Believe in You" (1992) "Peace in Our Time" (1993) "Human Work of Art" (1993) "Healing Love" (1993) "All I Have to Do Is Dream" (live) / "Miss You Nights" (1994) "Misunderstood Man" (1995) "Had to Be" (1995) "Can't Keep this Feeling In" (1998) "The Millennium Prayer" (1999)
2000s	"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"/"What a Wonderful World" (medley) (2001) "Let Me Be the One" (2002) "Santa's List" (2003) "Somethin' is Goin' On" (2004) "I Cannot Give You My Love" (2004) "What Car" (2005) "21st Century Christmas" / "Move It" (2006) "When I Need You" (2007) "Thank You for a Lifetime" (2008) "Singing the Blues" (2009)
2010s	"Rip It Up" (2013) "Since I Lost My Baby" (2014) "Golden" (2015) "Roll Over Beethoven" (2016) "Blue Suede Shoes" (2017) "(It's Gonna Be) Okay" (2017) "Rise Up" (2018) "Reborn" (2018)

show v t Grammy Award for Song of the Year
1959−1980	"Nel blu, dipinto di blu (Volare)" – Domenico Modugno (songwriter) (1959) "The Battle of New Orleans" – Jimmy Driftwood (songwriter) (1960) "Theme of Exodus" – Ernest Gold (songwriter) (1961) "Moon River" – Johnny Mercer & Henry Mancini (songwriters) (1962) "What Kind of Fool Am I?" – Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley (songwriters) (1963) "Days of Wine and Roses" – Johnny Mercer & Henry Mancini (songwriters) (1964) "Hello, Dolly!" – Jerry Herman (songwriter) (1965) "The Shadow of Your Smile" – Paul Francis Webster & Johnny Mandel (songwriters) (1966) "Michelle" – John Lennon & Paul McCartney (songwriters) (1967) "Up, Up, and Away" – Jimmy Webb (songwriter) (1968) "Little Green Apples" – Bobby Russell (songwriter) (1969) "Games People Play" – Joe South (songwriter) (1970) "Bridge over Troubled Water" – Paul Simon (songwriter) (1971) "You've Got a Friend" – Carole King (songwriter) (1972) "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" – Ewan MacColl (songwriter) (1973) "Killing Me Softly with His Song" – Norman Gimbel & Charles Fox (songwriters) (1974) "The Way We Were" – Alan and Marilyn Bergman & Marvin Hamlisch (songwriters) (1975) "Send In the Clowns" – Stephen Sondheim (songwriter) (1976) "I Write the Songs" – Bruce Johnston (songwriter) (1977) "Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)" – Barbra Streisand & Paul Williams (songwriters) / "You Light Up My Life" – Joe Brooks (songwriter) (1978) "Just the Way You Are" – Billy Joel (songwriter) (1979) "What a Fool Believes" – Kenny Loggins & Michael McDonald (songwriters) (1980)
1981−2000	"Sailing" – Christopher Cross (songwriter) (1981) "Bette Davis Eyes" – Donna Weiss & Jackie DeShannon (songwriters) (1982) "Always on My Mind" – Johnny Christopher, Mark James & Wayne Carson (songwriters) (1983) "Every Breath You Take" – Sting (songwriter) (1984) "What's Love Got to Do with It" – Graham Lyle & Terry Britten (songwriters) (1985) "We Are the World" – Michael Jackson & Lionel Richie (songwriters) (1986) "That's What Friends Are For" – Burt Bacharach & Carole Bayer Sager (songwriters) (1987) "Somewhere Out There" – James Horner, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil (songwriters) (1988) "Don't Worry, Be Happy" – Bobby McFerrin (songwriter) (1989) "Wind Beneath My Wings" – Larry Henley & Jeff Silbar (songwriters) (1990) "From a Distance" – Julie Gold (songwriter) (1991) "Unforgettable" – Irving Gordon (songwriter) (1992) "Tears in Heaven" – Eric Clapton & Will Jennings (songwriters) (1993) "A Whole New World" – Alan Menken & Tim Rice (songwriters) (1994) "Streets of Philadelphia" – Bruce Springsteen (songwriter) (1995) "Kiss from a Rose" – Seal (songwriter) (1996) "Change the World" – Gordon Kennedy, Wayne Kirkpatrick & Tommy Sims (songwriters) (1997) "Sunny Came Home" – Shawn Colvin & John Leventhal (songwriters) (1998) "My Heart Will Go On" – James Horner & Will Jennings (songwriters) (1999) "Smooth" – Itaal Shur & Rob Thomas (songwriters) (2000)
2001−2020	"Beautiful Day" – Adam Clayton, David Evans, Laurence Mullen & Paul Hewson (songwriters) (2001) "Fallin'" – Alicia Keys (songwriter) (2002) "Don't Know Why" – Jesse Harris (songwriter) (2003) "Dance with My Father" – Richard Marx & Luther Vandross (songwriters) (2004) "Daughters" – John Mayer (songwriter) (2005) "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" – Adam Clayton, David Evans, Laurence Mullen & Paul Hewson (songwriters) (2006) "Not Ready to Make Nice" – Emily Burns Erwin, Martha Maguire, Natalie Maines Pasdar & Dan Wilson (songwriters) (2007) "Rehab" – Amy Winehouse (songwriter) (2008) "Viva la Vida" – Guy Berryman, Jonathan Buckland, William Champion & Christopher Martin (songwriters) (2009) "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" – Thaddis "Kuk" Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart (songwriters) (2010) "Need You Now" – Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott (songwriters) (2011) "Rolling in the Deep" – Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth (songwriters) (2012) "We Are Young" – Jack Antonoff, Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dost & Nate Ruess (songwriters) (2013) "Royals" – Joel Little & Ella Yelich O'Connor (songwriters) (2014) "Stay with Me" (Darkchild version) – James Napier, William Phillips & Sam Smith (songwriters) (2015) "Thinking Out Loud" – Ed Sheeran & Amy Wadge (songwriters) (2016) "Hello" – Adele Adkins & Greg Kurstin (songwriters) (2017) "That's What I Like" – Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus & Jonathan Yip (songwriters) (2018) "This Is America" – Donald Glover, Ludwig Göransson & Jeffery Lamar Williams (songwriters) (2019) "Bad Guy" – Billie Eilish O'Connell & Finneas O'Connell (songwriters) (2020)
2021−present	"I Can't Breathe" – Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. & Tiara Thomas (songwriters) (2021)

From a Distance

Contents

Interpretation[]

Original Nanci Griffith version[]

Track listing[]

Charts[]

Bette Midler version[]

Critical reception[]

Track listings[]

Charts[]

Weekly charts[]

Year-end charts[]

All-time charts[]

Certifications[]

Cliff Richard version[]

Track listings[]

Charts[]

Magdalene Survivors Together charity version[]

Other cover versions[]

Parodies[]

See also[]

References[]

External links[]

"From a Distance"
Promotional single by Nanci Griffith
from the album Lone Star State of Mind
Released	1988^[4]
Genre	Country
Length	4:10
Label	MCA
Producer(s)	Tony Brown, Nancy Griffith