Bette Midler

Released: October 25, 2005

Songwriter: E.Y. Harburg Harold Arlen

Producer: Barry Manilow

It seem like happiness is just a thing called Joe
He's got a smile that makes the lilacs want to grow
He's got a way that makes the angels heave a sigh
When they know little Joe's passing by
Sometimes the cabin's gloomy and the table's bare
But then he'll kiss me and it's Christmas everywhere
Troubles fly away and life is easy go
Does he love me good? That's all I need to know
Seems like happiness is just a thing called Joe

Sometimes the cabin's gloomy and the table's bare
But then he'll kiss me and it's Christmas everywhere
Troubles fly away and life is easy go
Does he love me good? That's all I need to know
Seems like happiness is just a thing called Joe
Little Joe, my little Joe, little Joe

Bette Midler is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, comedienne and actress. Named in honor of Bette Davis, Midler’s career began performing off-broadway until she developed the stage persona The Divine Miss M while singing at the world-famous Continental Baths gay bathhouse. A pre-fame Barry Manilow, the venue’s in-house piano player, produced her Grammy-nominated debut album which scored three US top 40 singles including the Grammy-nominated “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”. Midler took home the Best New Artist Grammy that year, her first of three career wins.

Throughout the 1970s, Midler found further success with music, Broadway, television and film. The Rose, Midler’s 1979 acting debut, earned her both Oscar and Academy Award nominations, and its namesake song won her a Golden Globe and another Grammy – also giving Midler her first success overseas.

The early 1980s proved less successful for Midler with four under-performing singles and a box office flop with the film Jinxed. However, the second half of the decade would prove far more fruitful with a handful of very successful films including Down and Out in Beverly Hills, Ruthless People, Outrageous Fortune and Beaches, the latter featuring a chart-topping cover of “Wind Beneath My Wings” that won Midler her third Grammy and is considered one of the greatest songs in American film history.

more tracks from the album

Bette Midler Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook

From the album

Bette Midler Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook (2005)

Bette Midler popular songs

Happiness Is a Thing Called JoeBette Midler

Bette Midler

Bette Midler Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook