Bette Midler

Songwriter: Aaron Neville Tony Berg

Producer: Arif Mardin

You took me from my mother's lovin' arms
I still had about a foot to grow
Whoa-ooh, I must have been only maybe seventeen
It was a very long time ago

Actually we raised each other;
You, our kids and myself
You wait 'til you become a part of me
Then you wanna put me on the shelf

Woah, that first kiss you gave me, I still remember
I was just a child, dear
Your lips were so warm and tender
That kiss, I'll always remember
That was the first day we met

I remember what the preacher said:
"Girl, will you be his wedded wife
(forever and ever)
'n' stand beside that boy forever
Like for the rest of your natural life?"

You took my darlin' babies from me!
You really broke my heart in two!
God in heaven knows that I love them!
And in your heart you know it's true!

Oh, that first kiss you gave me, I still remember
I was just a child. Your lips were so warm and tender
That kiss, oh, I'll always remember
That was the first day we met
(Always remember. It's a kiss that I'll never forget.)

I don't remember too much about my cradle days
Guess you could say I became a woman too fast
Whoa, what did I know? That you were the right man for me
What did I know? I knew that I loved that man!

Whoa, that first kiss you gave me, oh-o-o, how I still remember!
I was just a child, dear. Your lips were so warm and tender
That kiss, I will always remember
'cause that was the first day we met
The first day we met, darlin', darlin', whoa, the first day we met

Whoa, I remember!
Come back, baby, let's talk it over!
Don't take your love away from me!
Come back, baby
Oh, don't you wanna try it on one more time boy?
Let's talk it over. Let's talk it over!
Oh, how can I forget you?
Branded me! Scarred by your love!
That first kiss you gave me boy!

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

Thighs and Whispers

From the album

Thighs and Whispers (1979)

Bette Midler popular songs

Cradle DaysBette Midler

Bette Midler

Thighs and Whispers