Bette Midler

Released: January 8, 1976

Songwriter: Arthur Johnston Sam Coslow

Producer: Bette Midler Joel Dorn Mark “Moogy” Klingman

I wait alone here in the Mexican sunlight
But the Mexican sunlight seems so lifeless and cold
Sad and forlorn, I try to find consolession
With a man desperession, I cannot withhold

Soothe me with your caress
Sweet marahuana. Oh, marahuana
Help me in my distress
Sweet marahuana, please do

You alone can bring my lover back to me
Even though I know it's all a fantasy
And then you must put me to sleep
Sweet marahuana, please do

You alone can bring my lover back to me
Even though I know it's all a fantasy
And then you must put me to sleep
Sweet marahuana, fffp, please do

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

Songs for the New Depression

From the album

Songs for the New Depression (1976)

Bette Midler popular songs

MarahuanaBette Midler

Bette Midler

Songs for the New Depression