Julie Gold composer

Julie Gold (born February 3, 1956) is an American singer-songwriter. She is best known for her musical composition "From a Distance," which became a big hit for Bette Midler and won the Grammy for Song of the Year in 1991.



That song has since received close to four million airplays. It has been recited into the Congressional Record (by Senator Barbara Boxer). It has been recorded internationally and translated into many languages. It has been illustrated as a children’s book and mass-produced in music boxes. It has been quoted in books, calendars, and greeting cards. It was used as the wake-up call for astronauts in the Mir space station the first time Americans worked with Russians in space. A wide range of recording artists has covered it, including Jewel, Elaine Paige, Cliff Richard, the African Children's Choir, Judy Collins, the Byrds, Fairport Convention and Donna Summer.



Nanci Griffith, the first to record "From a Distance", has also recorded Gold's songs "Heaven", "Southbound Train", "Good Night New York", and "Mountain of Sorrow". Other artists who have covered Julie Gold songs include Patti LaBelle, Patti LuPone, Lea Salonga, and Andrea Marcovicci. Her song "Thanks to You" was featured in the 1993 film Andre, and her song "Dream Loud" was featured in the 2002 film Unfaithful.



Julie Gold is originally from Havertown, Pennsylvania and later moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; she graduated from the Philadelphia High School for Girls in 1974. She graduated from Temple University in 1978 and appeared as a featured live performer in many of the premier legendary Philadelphia area coffee houses and entertainment venues including the Main Point, Bijou Cafe and others. From 1990 to 1994, she was a member of Four Bitchin' Babes, along with Christine Lavin, Megon McDonough, and Sally Fingerett.



Her maternal grandparents and their children, including Julie's mother, were Jewish immigrants from Russia in the 1930s. Julie's Jewish paternal grandparents were immigrants from Romania. Her Orthodox mother and her Conservative father were a founding family of Philadelphia's Reform Temple Beth Elohim. Julie's Jewish background has influenced her songs.