Go the Distance

For other uses, see Going the Distance.

"Go the Distance"
Song

"Go the Distance" is a song from Disney's 1997 animated feature film, Hercules. It was written by composer Alan Menken and lyricist David Zippel, and originally recorded by American actor Roger Bart in his film role as the singing voice of Hercules. American singer-songwriter Michael Bolton recorded a pop version of the song for the film's end credits. In the Spanish version, the song is performed by Hercules voicer Ricky Martin, both in the movie and in the credits; this version is included on Martin's album Vuelve. Both the song and its reprise featured in a stage production of Hercules, performed upon the Disney Wonder during 2007/2008.

Production

File:Go the Distance.ogg

Hercules' "I want" song, Go the Distance demonstrates his desire to push himself to new heights, and to be adored by others.

"Go the Distance" was one of two songs written for the film, the second being "Shooting Star", performed by Boyzone, which failed to make the final cut. However, "Shooting Star" is included on the Hercules soundtrack CD. The score for the original version of the song can be found in the Alan Menken Songbook.

Critical reception

Ways of Being Male felt that the phrase "go the distance" is a prime example of the way themes are "couched in the language of sport and competition" throughout the film. Den of Geek deemed it "one of Disney's great anthems/motivational mantras for all aspiring athletes and deities." MoviePilot suggests that the shooting star during "Go the Distance" is actually Aladdin and Jasmine's magic carpet ride. The Gobe and Mail likened it to Duddy’s Leaving St. Urbain Street, while BoingBoing compared it to Pocahontas's "Just Around the Riverbend". Vulture deemed it "inspiring".

Awards and chart placings

The song was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. Both awards, however, went to "My Heart Will Go On", a song from Titanic, a film directed by James Cameron. "Go the Distance" peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and went to #1 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart, Bolton's ninth song to top this chart.

Versions

Film version

The song was recorded by American actor Roger Bart in his film role as the singing voice of Hercules.

"Go the Distance" is performed in the film by Hercules (age 15) who possesses god-like strength and finds it increasingly hard to fit in with his peers. The song serves as Hercules' prayer to the Gods to help him find where he truly belongs. His prayers are answered, as he is revealed to be the long-lost son of Zeus, king of the gods. Hercules is also told that he must become a true hero in order to rejoin his father on Mount Olympus. The number is later reprised when Hercules sets off on his quest to become a true hero, proclaiming that he wants to "go the distance" in order to prove himself.

Michael Bolton version

"Go the Distance"
File:Michael Bolton Go the Distance.jpg
Single by Michael Bolton
from the album Hercules: An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack
Released	1997
Format	CD single
Genre	Pop rock
Length	4:41
Label	Columbia
Writer(s)	Alan Menken (music) David Zippel (lyrics)
Producer(s)	Walter Afanasieff Michael Bolton
Michael Bolton singles chronology
"Fool for Love (Requiem pour un Fou)" (1996) "Go the Distance" (1997) "The Best of Love" (1997)

American singer-songwriter Michael Bolton recorded a pop version of the song for the film's end credits.

The music video for Bolton's version was directed by Dani Jacobs. It was filmed in New York, and features Bolton performing the song, intercut with scenes from Hercules.

Ricky Martin version

"No Importa la Distancia"
File:Ricky Martin No Importa la Distancia.jpg
Single by Ricky Martin
from the album Vuelve
Released	July 1, 1997 (1997-07-01)
Format	CD single
Recorded	1997
Genre	Latin pop, pop rock
Length	4:55
Label	Sony Music Latin, Columbia
Writer(s)	Alan Menken, David Zippel, Renato López, Javier Pontón
Producer(s)	K. C. Porter, Draco Rosa
Ricky Martin singles chronology
"Nada es Imposible" (1997) "No Importa la Distancia" (1997) "Corazón" (1997)
Music video "No Importa La Distancia (Go The Distance)" (audio only) on YouTube

Ricky Martin recorded a Spanish-language version of "Go the Distance" from Hercules soundtrack, called "No Importa la Distancia" (English: "No Matter the Distance"). It was released as a single on July 1, 1997. Later, it was included on Martin's 1998 album Vuelve. A music video was also released. The song reached number ten on the Latin Pop Songs in the United States.

Charts

Chart (1997)	Peak position
US Latin Pop Songs (Billboard)	10

Formats and track listings

European CD single

1. "No Importa la Distancia" performed by Ricky Martin – 4:51
2. "Já Não Há Distancia" performed by Ricky Martin – 4:45

European CD maxi-single

1. "No Importa la Distancia" performed by Ricky Martin – 4:51
2. "Já Não Há Distancia" performed by Ricky Martin – 4:45
3. "Go the Distance" (Cast Version) performed by Roger Bart – 3:13

Other notable covers

• K-Ci & JoJo performs the song on DisneyMania 4.
• Lucas Grabeel performs the song on DisneyMania 5.
• Tim Driesen performed the song in a stage production of Jack and the Beanstalk.
• Tarkan in the Turkish language version of the film.
• Dionysis Schinas in the Greek language version of the film.
• Alex Baroni in the Italian language version of the film.
• Michael Bolton performed the pop-release of the song and features on the movie's soundtrack as well as over the title credits.
• Fumiya Fujii performed this theme song in the Japanese Language version of the film. Single released on 18 July 1997.
• Mannheim Steamroller covered the song on their 1999 album, Mannheim Steamroller Meets the Mouse.
• Norm Lewis, Broadway actor and singer, covered the song on his 2008 debut solo album This Is the Life.
• Jed Madela performed the song in the "Christmas with the Voice" concert during December 2, 2007.
• The Maccabeats, the all-male a cappella group of Yeshiva University recorded an a cappella version of the song on their 2010 album, Voices from the Heights.
• Vocal Spectrum covered this song on their 2008 recording titled Vocal Spectrum II.
• Darren Criss
• On 2012 album Disney – Koe no Oujisama, which features various Japanese voice actors covering Disney songs, this song was covered by Tomokazu Seki
• On 2014 album We Love Disney, which features various Australian singers covering Disney songs, this song was covered by Harrison Craig

Other appearances

In 1998, this song was used for a tribute video to honor New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing of the NBA at Madison Square Garden minutes before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Indiana Pacers. The game was Ewing's first at home since returning from a nearly season-ending wrist injury. Ewing, then late in his playing career, had often stressed the importance of winning a championship (in effect, 'going the distance') before he retired. The Knicks won the game 83–76, and Ewing was the game's leading scorer with 19 points.

References

Preceded by "Here in My Heart" by Chicago

Billboard Adult Contemporary number-one single July 19 – August 2, 1997

Succeeded by "Sunny Came Home" by Shawn Colvin