From a Distance
1980’s song by American singer-songwriter
Julie Gold.
Nanci Griffith
first recorded it in 1987,
At that time Gold was working as a secretary for
Home Box Office and writing songs in her free time. Her friend, Christine
Lavin, introduced the song to Nanci who first recorded it for her 1987 album,
Lone Star State of Mind. It quickly became a hit around the world.
Most famous recording by Bette Midler.
Other versions
Judy Collins sang it live in 1989, being first
recorded in her live album Sanity and Grace, and in 1990 in her studio album
Fires of Eden. The Byrds recorded the song as one of 4 newly recorded studio
tracks for their box set The Byrds released in 1990. As did Cliff Richard. 1990
The Byrds (1990) for their eponymous box set
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
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) and subsequently on other albums including the 2002 release From
Cropready to Portmerion (recorded live during their 1990 British Winter Tour
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.