Sep 2, 2021
Liberal Arts Blog—Bette Midler: “From a Distance,” “The Wind Beneath My Wings,” “The Rose”
Liberal Arts Blog — Thursday is the Joy of Music Day
Today’s Topic: Bette Midler (1945 — ) “From a Distance,” “The Wind Beneath My Wings,” “The Rose”
Too sentimental. Too corny. Too schmaltzy. But, to me, irresistible. Today, three songs from the Jewish diva from Honolulu named afterBette Davis. Experts — please chime in. Correct, elaborate, elucidate.
“THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS” (written by Jeff Silber and Larry Henley)
1. “It must have been cold there in my shadow To never have sunlight on your face You were content to let me shine, that’s your way You always walked a step behind”
2. “So I was the one with all the glory While you were the one with all the strength A beautiful face without a name for so long A beautiful smile to hide the pain.”
3. “Did you ever know that you’re my hero And everything I would like to be? I can fly higher than an eagle For you are the wind beneath my wings…”
Bette Midler — Wind Beneath My Wings (Official Music Video)
“THE ROSE” (written by Amanda McBroom)
1. “Some say love, it is a river That drowns the tender reed Some say love, it is a razor That leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love, it is a hunger An endless aching need
I say love, it is a flower And you, its only seed”
2. “It’s the heart, afraid of breaking That never learns to dance
It’s the dream, afraid of waking That never takes the chance
It’s the one who won’t be taken Who cannot seem to give And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live.”
3. “When the night has been too lonely And the road has been too long And you think that love is only For the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter Far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed that with the sun’s love In the spring becomes the rose”
“FROM A DISTANCE” — (written by Julie Gold)
1. “From a distance The world looks blue and green And the snow capped mountains white From a distance The ocean meets the stream And the eagle takes to flight
2. From a distance There is harmony And it echoes through the land It’s the voice of hope It’s the voice of peace It’s the voice of every man
3. “From a distance We all have enough And no one is in need And there are no guns, No bombs, and no disease No hungry mouths to feed.”
NB: “From a distance We are instruments Marching in a common band
Playing songs of hope Playing songs of peace They are the songs of every man”
Bette Midler — From A Distance (Official Music Video)
FOOTNOTES
1. “In a 2002 UK poll, “Wind Beneath My Wings” was found to be the most-played song at British funerals.” It won Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 1990 Grammys.
2. “From a Distance” has millions of airplays. It has been recited into the Congressisonal Record by Senator Barbara Boxer, recorded internationally and translated into many languages. It has been illustrated as a children’s book and machined into music boxes. It has been quoted in books, calendars, greeting cards and the wake-up call for the astronauts in the Mir space station the first time Americans worked with Russians in space. A wide range of recording artists have covered it, including Jewel, Elaine Page, Cliff Richard, the African Children’s Choir, Judy Collins, the Byrds, Fairport Convention, Kathy Mattea, and Donna Summer.”
3. Midler’s version of “The Rose” won the Grammy for Best Female Vocal Performance in 1981. It was also a #1 country pop hit for Conway Twitty (aka Harold Jenkins) and a #1hit for Irish boy band, Westlife. The latter is the last link below. Worth a listen.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_a_Distance
Westlife — The Rose (Official Video)
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PDF with headlines — Google Drive
YOUR TURN
Time to share the coolest thing you learned in the last week related to music. Or the coolest thing you learned in your life related to music. Say your favorite song or songs. Or your favorite tips for breathing, posture, or relaxation. Or some insight into the history of music….Or just something random about music… like a joke about drummers. jazz, rock….or share an episode or chapter in your musical autobiography.
This is your chance to make some one else’s day. And perhaps to cement in your memory something important you would otherwise forget. Or to think more deeply than you otherwise would about something that matters to you.
