Bette Midler

Released: January 8, 1976

Songwriter: Bette Midler Jerry Blatt

Producer: Mark “Moogy” Klingman

"Hi, operator."
"May I help you?"
"Yeah, it's me again. Did you get him on the line yet? . . . Oh, this is awful. I've been trying to get him all day. . . . No, it's okay. I'll wait."

Mr. Rockefeller, how are you?
Mr. Rockefeller, having fun?
Mr. Rockefeller I could use a few
If you'd like to send a few down my way

Mr. Rockefeller, I get my magazines
I see you on the TV too, yeah
Mr. Rockefeller, they tell me, they tell me all about it
But they don't tell me how are you

Sometimes I think I know you
Sometimes I think I don't
Sometimes I think we'll make it
Sometimes I think we won't

Waiting on the wire
And I'm ragged to the bone
Mr. Rockefeller won't you
Please pick up the phone?

The reason I'm calling is to say
I'm not feeling so good
I'm all broken down

My family is nervous and my thoughts are blue
But I wanna know, I gotta know
I'm askin' everybody, how are you?

Please, won't you answer me?
Won't you take the time?
The next call's got to be collect
Cause this is my last dime
Waiting on the wire
And I'm ragged to the bone
Mr. Rockefeller, please pick up the phone

Mr. Rockefeller, how are you?
Mr. Rockefeller, having fun?
Mr. Rockefeller, how are you?
Mr. Rockefeller, having fun?

Mr. Rockefeller, please, Mr. Rockefeller
Mr. Rockefeller, whoooh
Mr. Rockefeller, please, Mr. Rockefeller
Mr. Rockefeller, oooh
Mr. Rockefeller, please, Mr. Rockefeller
Mr. Rockefeller, whoooh
Mr. Rockefeller, please, Mr. Rockefeller
Mr. Rockefeller, oooh

Mr. Rockefeller, wouldn't it be nice?
Mr. Rockefeller

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

Mr. RockefellerBette Midler

Bette Midler

Songs for the New Depression