Perri wrote "Distance" during the summer of 2010 about a real-life situation where she fell for someone she worked closely with. Because she couldn’t say how she felt, she poured that "secret love" into a song. The lyrics are a masterclass in emotional restraint:
There is a specific kind of heartache that doesn’t come from a breakup, but from the tension of a "not yet." Christina Perri ’s collaboration with Jason Mraz on captures that exact moment—the delicate, agonizing space between being "just friends" and admitting you’re in love. The Story Behind the Lyrics Christina Perri ft. Jason Mraz - Distance
While the original solo version appeared on her debut album Lovestrong , the duet with Jason Mraz added a new layer of depth. The two first performed it together at a radio show in San Diego, and the chemistry was so undeniable that they decided to record it as a single. Perri wrote "Distance" during the summer of 2010