Written and composed by Julie Gold.
From a Distance The world looks blue and green And the snow capped mountains white From a Distance The ocean meets the stream And the eagle takes to flight From a Distance There is harmony And it echoes through the land It's the voice of hope It's the voice of peace It's the voice of every man From a Distance We all have enough And no one is in need And there are no guns, No bombs, and no disease No hungry mouths to feed From a Distance We are instruments Marching in a common band Playing songs of hope Playing songs of peace They are the songs of every man God is watching us God is watching us God is watching us From a Distance From a Distance You look like my friend Even though we are at war From a Distance I just cannot comprehend What all this fighting's for From a Distance There is harmony And it echoes through the land And it's the hope of hopes It's the love of loves It's the heart of every man It's the hope of hopes It's the love of loves This is the song for every man God is watching us God is watching us God is watching us From a Distance Oh, God is watching us God is watching God is watching us From a Distance
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She came to New York at the age of 22, in pursuit of her childhood dream of being a songwriter. She sent out demo tapes to everyone who would listen, but only her friends gave her encouragement. She did various odd jobs for a living. At that time she was living in a small and dark apartment, struggling to make ends meet.
This song changed her life, and Julie Gold recounted her story,
In 1985, just before my 30th birthday, my parents thought it would be a beautiful thing for me to be reunited with the piano of my childhood. So they sent it to me in December as my birthday present. I wasn't allowed to play it for a day because it was frozen like a block of ice. I just hugged and polished my piano all evening. The next day I sat down and “From a Distance” just poured out of me. On one hand, it took me two hours to write. On the other hand, it took me 30 years. Pick whichever hand makes you happy. I love them both. I had some preliminary lyrics. My songwriting ritual is always scales and arpeggios and chords, but that specific day I remember just feeling so connected to my instrument. And when these majestic chords came out of me, I knew they were going to be something I could use. Usually, if I get one good keystone, then I can build the house. When I'm finally done writing the song, I kiss the piano keys. Why? Because I know what it feels like to write a song, and I wonder if I’ll ever be given that opportunity again. So I’m grateful every time.Julie Gold recorded the song in a studio, and sent copies to all her contact. Most did not even reply. Only her friend and fellow songwriter Christine Lavin loved it and requested copies to send around to her friends. Within two weeks, her scratchy demo was getting radio play.
她22歲時，來到紐約，追求兒時夢想：成為詞曲作家。她把示範錄音帶，發給所有願意聽的人，但只有朋友給予鼓勵，唯有做各種散工糊口。當時，她居住的公寓，又細又暗，勉強維持生計。
這首歌曲，改變她的一生，Julie Gold 詳述她的故事：
1985年，在我30歲生日之前，父母雙親認為：若能與童年的鋼琴團聚，對我而言定是佳音。所以，他們在12 月，把鋼琴作為我的生日禮物，送來給我。抵達時，它凍得像硬冰，眼白白不能彈玩。我整晚擦亮鋼琴，並擁抱它。 第二天，我剛在鋼琴前坐下，《From a Distance》就從我雙手傾瀉而出。一方面，我花了兩個小時才寫完。另一方面，我花了30年才完成。選擇你喜歡的一面，兩面我都開心。 歌詞方面，我有一些初稿。創作歌曲，我習慣使用音階、琶音與和弦。我記得那一天，感覺我與樂器，緊密地聯繫在一起。雄偉的和弦，從雙手散發時，我知道它們相當有用。通常，如果我得到一個好的基調，就可以建造整首歌曲。 終於寫完這首歌，我親吻鋼琴各鍵。為什麼？因為我知道，寫一首曲的感覺是如何。我想知道，是否再有這樣的機會，所以每次都很感激。Julie Gold 隨即到錄音室，錄製這首歌。她把副本帶，發送給所有聯絡人。可惜一如既往，無人問津。只有朋友兼詞曲作者 Christine Lavin 表示喜歡，並要求將歌曲帶，發送給她的朋友。兩週內，她的沙啞示範演唱，出現在電台廣播。
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Nanci Griffith was the first to record it for her 1987 album, Lone Star State of Mind. She promoted the song in live shows, even a TV show in 1988.
Judy Collins recorded this song twice: first for her 1988 live album, Sanity and Grace; then for her 1990 studio album, Fires of Eden.
In July 1989, Julie Gold quit her job and became a full-time songwriter. During that time, she received a call from Bette Midler’s musical director.
Bette Midler was making a new album. In their search for songs, they called a film and music critic who suggested “From a Distance”. Julie sent her scratchy demo, and Bette recorded it.
Bette Midler recorded this song for her album, Some People's Lives, which awas released in September 1990. The song became a major hit, perhaps due to the start of Gulf War in August 1990.
Nanci Griffith 是首位錄製此曲的歌手，收錄在1987年專輯《Lone Star State of Mind》。 她在現場表演中，宣傳這首歌，甚至在1988年的電視節目中，也演唱此曲。
Judy Collins 曾兩次錄製這首歌：第一次是1988年的現場專輯《Sanity and Grace》； 然後是1990年的錄音室專輯《Fires of Eden》。
1989年7月，Julie Gold 辭去工作，成為一名全職詞曲作者。就在那段時間，她接到 Bette Midler 的音樂總監來電。
原來 Bette Midler 正在籌備新專輯。他們尋找歌曲時，致電一位電影和音樂評論家，他建議《From a Distance》。於是 Julie 送上她的沙啞示範歌曲帶，Bette 隨即錄製。
Bette Midler 把此曲，收錄在她的專輯《Some People's Lives》。該專輯於1990年9月發行。可能因為1990年8月海灣戰爭爆發，這首歌成為熱門歌曲。
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