The first time Americans joined the Russians on the MIR Space Station this song became the wake-up call. Julie Gold composed "From a Distance" in 1985 and for some reason it took a long time to have it recorded.
The 1987 album "Lone Star State of Mind" by Nanci Griffith featured "From a Distance" (Julie Gold).

Better Midler's 1990 Album "Some People's Lives" contains the hit cover which topped the adult contemporary chart and hit number two on the Billboard pop chart. "From a Distance" won a Grammy for Song of the Year.