A Thousand Miles
Updated: 12/11/2025, 1:47:41 PM Wikipedia source
"A Thousand Miles" (originally titled "Interlude") is the debut single of American pop singer Vanessa Carlton. Written by Carlton and produced by Curtis Schweitzer and Ron Fair, the song was released to American radio in February 2002 by A&M Records as the lead single from Carlton's first album, Be Not Nobody (2002). The song originated in a piano riff that Carlton wrote in 1998, titled "Interlude". She later recorded a demo tape of the full song, which reached Fair at A&M Records. Its production was reworked to include an orchestra section, and it was retitled "A Thousand Miles" at Fair's insistence. To promote the song, an accompanying music video was released, featuring Carlton playing the piano while it moves through Los Angeles. It was also featured in the films Legally Blonde (2001), and White Chicks (2004). "A Thousand Miles" received critical acclaim, with reviewers praising Carlton's vocals and the song's composition. It was nominated for three Grammy Awards at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year. The song was commercially successful, becoming Carlton's biggest hit in the United States and her only single to reach the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number five. It also reached number one in Australia, number three in Ireland, and the top 10 in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.
Infobox
Tables
| Chart (2002) | Peakposition |
| Australia (ARIA) | 1 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 12 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 4 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) | 8 |
| Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS) | 5 |
| Denmark (Tracklisten) | 3 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | 9 |
| France (SNEP) | 8 |
| Germany (GfK) | 14 |
| Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) | 5 |
| Hungary (Single Top 40) | 8 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 3 |
| Italy (FIMI) | 6 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 6 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 12 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 4 |
| Norway (VG-lista) | 14 |
| Poland (Nielsen Music Control) | 2 |
| Romania (Romanian Top 100) | 8 |
| Scotland Singles (OCC) | 7 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 30 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 8 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 6 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 5 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 1 |
| US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard) | 2 |
| US Pop Airplay (Billboard) | 1 |
| Chart (2002) | Position |
| Australia (ARIA) | 6 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 74 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 20 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) | 49 |
| Brazil (Crowley) | 72 |
| Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS) | 7 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) | 33 |
| France (SNEP) | 57 |
| Germany (Media Control) | 61 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 27 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 9 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 48 |
| New Zealand (RIANZ) | 2 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 20 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 73 |
| UK Airplay (Music Week) | 33 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 6 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 10 |
| US Adult Top 40 (Billboard) | 4 |
| US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) | 5 |
| Chart (2003) | Position |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 4 |
| US Adult Top 40 (Billboard) | 41 |
| Chart (2000–2009) | Position |
| Australia (ARIA) | 70 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Australia (ARIA) | 2× Platinum | 140,000^ |
| Belgium (BRMA) | Gold | 25,000* |
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) | Gold | 30,000‡ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark) | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
| France (SNEP) | Silver | 125,000* |
| Germany (BVMI) | Gold | 250,000‡ |
| Italy (FIMI) | Gold | 50,000‡ |
| Japan (RIAJ) | Gold | 100,000* |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | 3× Platinum | 90,000‡ |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE) Live Acoustic | Gold | 30,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
| Sales figures based on certification alone.^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref(s). |
| United States | February 18–19, 2002 | Top 40modern adult contemporaryhot adult contemporary radio | A&M | |
| Japan | May 2, 2002 | CD | ||
| Australia | May 20, 2002 | |||
| United Kingdom | July 22, 2002 | CDcassette |
References
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