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 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.

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.

Other languages
Back in 1993, Disney USA loved so much 's (Canadian French) Aladdin that he was later asked to come back as Hercules, while Alex Baroni (Italian), together with the whole Italian cast of the movie, received a prize for the best foreign version.

Since its first release, some local TV stations and studios have been dubbing the movie in their local languages, creating some unofficial dubs. Namely: Albanian and Persian.

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

The music video for Bolton's version was directed by Dani Jacobs. It was filmed in New York City, and features Bolton performing the song, intercut with scenes from Hercules. Vocal Spectrum did a cover of this version.

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 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

We Love Disney
The song was covered in different languages for the series We Love Disney by:
 * Harrison Craig for We Love Disney, Australia in 2014
 * Jean-Baptiste Maunier for  in 2014
 * Andrea Nardinocchi for  in 2015
 * David Bisbal for We Love Disney, Latin America in 2016

Other appearances
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.

The barbershop quartet Vocal Spectrum recorded a four-part arrangement as the last track of their 2008 album, Vocal Spectrum II.