Bette Midler. The Divine Miss M. A powerhouse vocalist with a stage presence that could launch a rocket. But in 1990, during a televised performance, she wasn’t belting out a sassy showtune or a disco anthem. No, this time, she wrapped her heart around something far more profound: Julie Gold’s emotional epic, “From A Distance.”
The Divine Miss M Channeled Something Magical
Let me tell you, it was a showstopper. Bette Midler, bathed in a spotlight that seemed to come from the heavens themselves, didn’t just sing the song. She inhabited it. Every wrinkle of her face, every flicker of emotion in her eyes, told a story. The story of a world teetering on the edge, of violence erupting across the globe, and of a yearning for peace so deep it resonated in your bones.
Gold’s Words Brought to Life With Raw Emotion
Gold’s lyrics, raw and achingly beautiful, were brought to life by Midler’s voice. It soared, it trembled, it cracked with vulnerability at the edges. You could practically feel the wind of war whipping through the theater, smell the smoke of distant fires. It was a performance that demanded your attention, that wouldn’t let you look away.
A Song That Became a Call to Action
But here’s the thing about this rendition of “From A Distance” – it wasn’t just a lament about a troubled world. It was a call to action. Bette Midler voice, rising in power and conviction, embodied the hope that flickers even in the darkest times. It was a plea for compassion, for understanding, for us to see each other as humans, not enemies.
A Timeless Performance With Enduring Power
And that, my friends, is the true magic of this performance. It wasn’t just a song. It was a moment. A moment of shared humanity, of collective grief, and of unwavering hope. A moment that, even decades later, still has the power to move us, to inspire us, to remind us of the better angels of our nature.
So, if you haven’t seen it, track it down. Search for it online, dig through your old VHS tapes (who even has those anymore?), whatever it takes. Because this isn’t just a performance of a song. It’s a testament to the enduring power of music to touch our souls and remind us of what truly matters.
