From a Distance

 

CLICK TO HEAR

MY VERSION 

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.