Bette Midler: The Rose (Original Soundtrack Recording) (1979)

It was the first major film role for Bette Midler. It was also the first time a soundtrack primarily sung by Bette Midler would be released in tandem with one of her movies, something that would happen again with "Beaches", "For the Boys" and the 1993 TV version of "Gypsy". The film, which was a fictionalized story on singer Janis Joplin, earned four Academy Award nominations including Best Actress in a Leading Role (Bette), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Frederic Forrest), Best Film Editing and Best Sound.

Today I'm going to be looking at that classic soundtrack, with songs like "Whose Side Are You On?", "Midnight in Memphis", "When a Man Loves a Woman", and more, very much including one of the most important songs of Bette's career, one of her most beloved and remembered to this day, "The Rose" written by Amanda McBroom and produced by Paul A. Rothchild.

The soundtrack was produced by Rothchild, a renowned American music producer who had worked with Janis Joplin herself, among other acts including John Sebastian, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Tom Paxton, Fred Neil, Tom Rush, the Lovin' Spoonful, Tim Buckley, Love, Clear Light, Rhinoceros, and more, very much including the Doors. Side note: because there was no way I could fail to mention this here, Paul also collaborated with Wagnerian songwriter Jim Steinman on the 1989 soundtrack "Rude Awakening", which also includes an awesome Steinman-produced take of John Sebastian's "Darling Be Home Soon". Sung by Phoebe Snow, it is a sheer delight.

What is also historically important here is that Paul produced the very last Janis Joplin album "Pearl" released a couple months following her death in October 1970.

The music itself was not drawn from Janis's own discography, I believe, but a variety of material new and old from writers including Kenny Hopkins and Charley Williams, Tony Johnson, Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright with Bette covering their classic "When a Man Loves a Woman", Gene Pistilli, Sammy Hagar and John Carter, authors of "Red" from Bette's earlier album "Broken Blossom", Hudson Whittaker, Steve Hunter, Jerry Ragovoy and George David Weiss, Beth Slater Whitson and Leo Friedman on the tragic finale of this record, and of course Amanda McBroom's "The Rose".

Another song was featured in the film but not the soundtrack, Bob Seger's "Fire down below", which eventually appeared on Bette's live album from the following year "Divine Madness". That's a cool song as well.

Let's have a look at the figures here. I have a feeling this is going to be quite impressive!

Charts wise: "The Rose" soundtrack reaches Number #12 on the US Billboard 200, while it manages a somewhat less impressive #68 in the UK Albums chart (I don’t understand it, but OK), a whopping #4 in Sweden, with #10 in Australia and #19 in New Zealand, while it manages #16 on the Dutch Album charts, #31 in France and #18 in Norway.

There were two singles issued including Bette's version of "When a Man Loves a Woman", which rose to Number #31 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "The Rose". On the US Billboard Adult Contemporary, "The Rose" goes all the way to Number #1 where it remains for five weeks, while hitting that same figure on the US Cash Box Top 100. On US Billboard Hot 100 it comes in at #3. Charts wise, this is the biggest success of Bette's career so far.

It was released in two versions, both of which are still available on CD. That includes the original version from the soundtrack, which is piano and vocal, and an orchestral single version included on "Experience the Divine: Greatest Hits". All versions of this song are just indescribable to my ears. It is just an incredibly beautiful song.

There's another song however that I really have to mention here, which I believe is one of the songs Bette brought to the album when they were putting this soundtrack together, and that's "Stay With Me". It later becomes a classic of Bette’s live act and if it wasn't for the presence of "The Rose" on here, I would say hands down this is the best song. Would this soundtrack have done as well though? I have no idea, but given my way it certainly would have stayed with millions for generations to come. I guess it does in its own way.

Awards wise, "The Rose" single became a Gold Record after certified sales of a million copies. Bette also won a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance on "The Rose", against fellow nominees Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer (certainly nothing to sneeze at, but that applies to the Divine Miss M too.) "The Rose" also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song in 1979, going up against songs like "The Rainbow Connection" from "The Muppet Movie" (which I love also.)

Thanks Wiki for all of this information, along with full band and artist credits which you can read over there or in the liner notes of the soundtrack. Thank you for bringing this music to me! Not to mention the artists and crew members who worked on the film.

Let's have a look at the songs.

"Whose Side Are You On?"---since I played Bette's albums in order, wow is this a contrast to "Thighs and Whispers" which was a disco-influenced album. This is full on rock and Bette's vocals are going right off. Having seen the movie only once when I was 12, the soundtrack is definitely still managing to convey Bette's powerful work here!

"Midnight in Memphis"---another rocker follows! This is really unlike any Bette we've heard to this point, with some hints in albums like "Broken Blossom".

"Concert Monologue"---Bette, or should I say Mary "Rose" Foster, is speaking with her audience here, leading into the next song.

"When a Man Loves a Woman"---I heard this on "Experience the Divine" before ever hearing it in context with the soundtrack, and I have to say this is probably the best version I've ever heard. I just love the rock sound here and Bette's performance.

"Sold My Soul to Rock 'N' Roll"---let the rock continue! I just don't find myself being able to remember much of this song, but that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it. My memory just can't retain it as well.

"Keep on Rockin'"---besides the hook, I don't remember much of this one either, but again.

"Love me with a Feeling"---talking about contrasts, this is being performed in what appears to be a small pub, compared to the huge concert sound of the rest of the album. I have always liked this about this soundtrack. It's a more intimate feeling this time around.

"Camellia"---actually this could be one of my favourite moments on here, even though it doesn't have any singing at all. Sorry, Bette. It's that tune. It's so catchy and exciting. I always find myself making up words to go with it whenever I'm listening to it.

"Homecoming Monologue"---this is the Homecoming Monologue now, and in context with the movie, I know that things aren't in good shape here. Something sad is about to happen. This is the ending of Mary's life.

"Stay With Me"---I think Bette has as much said this herself, on one of her versions of this song, that this is not just a break-up song to her. It's about being left behind by a friend, or anyone you had ever put your faith in. It is such a powerful and essential part to Bette's catalogue.

"Let me call you sweetheart"---this is not so much a song, as a heartbreaking little moment before something happens here, which is even included on the track. It's so sad.

"The Rose"---what can I say about this one? You just have to listen to the words. I love the orchestral version as well.

Please check it out if you haven't. It deserves its accolades and then some.

Thank you,

Ryan.