Go the Distance


"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 voice actor 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

"Go the Distance" was one of two songs written for Hercules in the film, the second being "Shooting Star", which failed to make the final cut. However, "Shooting Star" is included on the Hercules soundtrack CD, sung by Boyzone. 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 Globe 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 by Celine Dion 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 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.

International versions

When the movie was first released in 1997, it numbered complexively 30 versions worldwide. Over the years, this number has increased to 35 official versions, to which some unofficial versions have been added by local TV stations and studios in their local languages: namely Albanian, Persian, and Serbian.
Back in 1993, Disney USA appreciated so much 's Aladdin that he was later asked to come back as Hercules, while Alex Baroni, together with the whole Italian cast of the movie, received a prize for the best foreign version.

Michael Bolton version

American singer-songwriter Michael Bolton recorded a pop version of the song for the film's Young Hercules. This version was later included his 1997 album All That Matters.
The music video for Bolton's version was directed by Dani Jacobs. Sections of the music video were filmed in the Great Hall of the Brooklyn Museum and feature Bolton performing the song, intercut with scenes from Hercules. Vocal Spectrum did a cover of this version.

Credits and personnel

Ricky Martin version

recorded a Spanish-language version of "Go the Distance" from Hercules soundtrack, called "No Importa la Distancia". 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

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" performed by Roger Bart – 3:13

    We Love Disney

The song was covered in different languages for the series We Love Disney by:
In 1998, this song was used in 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.
In 2000, The Lettermen covered the song on their Greatest Movie Hits album.
The barbershop quartet Vocal Spectrum recorded a four-part arrangement as the last track of their 2008 album, Vocal Spectrum II.
"Go the Distance" is featured in the Triumph portion of the Happily Ever After fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
In April 2020 during COVID-19 pandemic, Disney Broadway Stars performs Go the Distance while self-isolating.
An a capella chorale arrangement of the a single chorus of the song is featured in the stage musical adaptation of the Disney Channel's Descendants franchise, sung by the "Auradonian Choir".