Go the Distance

"Go the Distance" is a song written by Alan Menken and David Zippel , taken from the 1997 Disney animated feature Hercules. It was performed by Roger Bart in the film and by Michael Bolton in the 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.

Plot location

"Go the Distance" is performed in the film by Hercules, who is at the time around 15 years old. As Hercules possesses god-like strength, he 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 is willing to "go the distance" in order to prove himself.

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.^[1]

Music video

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.^[2]

Shooting Star

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.

Ricky Martin version

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.

Formats and track listings

European CD maxi-single

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

Charts

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.
• Ricky Martin in the Latino version of the film.
• Tarkan in the German language version of the film.
• Dionysis Shinas 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.^[4]
• Jed Madela performed the song in the "Christmas With The Voice" concert during December 2, 2007.
• The Maccabeats, the all-male acapella group of Yeshiva University recorded an acapella 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.

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