Released 26 years ago this October
Bette
Bette Midler · 2000
47 min · 11 tracks · jazz
A vibrant blend of jazz-infused pop and soulful ballads that showcases Midler's rich vocal prowess and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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God Give Me Strength — This track features haunting orchestration paired with Midler's powerful delivery, capturing a sense of yearning that resonates throughout the album.
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In These Shoes — A catchy, upbeat track that combines playful lyrics with a jazzy arrangement, highlighting Midler's whimsical style and vocal versatility.
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Moses — 'Moses' stands out for its poignant storytelling and emotional weight, revealing Midler's capacity to evoke deep feelings through her music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases Midler's vocal range but lacks standout compositions and cohesion.
What we noticed
- Midler's vocal delivery varies from powerful belting in upbeat tracks to softer, more intimate phrasing in ballads.
- Several tracks incorporate background vocals that harmonize with Midler, adding depth to the overall sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- heartfelt emotional reflections
- balanced mix of tempos
- engaging lyrical storytelling
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Marks a return after hiatus, showcasing continued vocal strength and emotional depth.
- Career context
- Released in 2000, 'Bette' marked Bette Midler's return to the music scene after a five-year hiatus following her 1995 album 'Bathhouse Betty'. At this point, Midler was transitioning from her peak era in the 1970s and 80s into a new phase that incorporated contemporary sounds while still honoring her roots in pop and jazz.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Diana Ross· Cher· Liza Minnelli
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 That's How Heartaches Are Made 3:09
- 2 In These Shoes 3:41
- 3 God Give Me Strength 6:31
- 4 Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) 3:54
- 5 Love TKO 4:47
- 6 Moses 4:31
- 7 Nobody Else but You 2:54
- 8 Color of Roses 4:40
- 9 Bless You Child 4:35
- 10 When Your Life Was Low 3:55
- 11 Shining Star 4:49
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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