Bette Midler

Released: November 12, 1991

Songwriter: Al Dubin Harry Warren Johnny Mercer

Producer: Arif Mardin Dave Grusin Joe Mardin Marc Shaiman

There's no time for what I say
There's the girl friend of the whirling dervish
When there's time for love
I'll be there to fall in love with ya

Shall I be the boy of the whirling dervish or you?
I think your the girl friend of the whirling dervish
Shall I say that again or maybe should I not
You're the girl friend of the whirling dervish

Should I have called you the girl friend of the whirling dervish baby?
Now I know you're the girl friend of the whirling dervish

Shall I be the boy of the whirling dervish or you?
I think your the girl friend of the whirling dervish
Shall I say that again or maybe should I not
You're the girl friend of the whirling dervish

Shall I be the boy of the whirling dervish or you?
I think your the girl friend of the whirling dervish
Shall I say that again or maybe should I not
You're the girl friend of the whirling dervish

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

For the Boys (Soundtrack)

From the album

For the Boys (Soundtrack) (1991)

Bette Midler popular songs

The Girl Friend of the Whirling DervishBette Midler

Bette Midler

For the Boys (Soundtrack)