The Rose (soundtrack)


The Rose is the soundtrack to the feature film of the same name starring Bette Midler, released in 1979.

Background

Midler performs all the songs on the album, with the exception of the instrumental "Camellia". Apart from the title track, the soundtrack was entirely recorded live and also features concert monologues, with Midler portraying the character The Rose, loosely based on blues singer Janis Joplin. The soundtrack was produced by Paul A. Rothchild, who in fact also had worked with Joplin on what was to become her final album before her death in 1970, entitled Pearl and released posthumously. Midler's portrayal of The Rose, which was her acting debut, earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in 1980 and became the start of her career in movies.

Release and promotion

The first single to be lifted off the soundtrack was Midler's rendition of Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman" which peaked at No. 35 on Billboard's single chart. The studio-recorded title track which closes the album became a top three hit for Midler, and also a number-one hit on the Adult Contemporary chart, and is considered one of her signature tunes. The alternate single version with orchestral overdubs was not included on the actual soundtrack but later appeared on hits compilations like Experience the Divine along with "When a Man Loves a Woman". One track featured in the film, Bob Seger's "Fire Down Below", was omitted from the album but Midler recorded a second live version of the song later in 1980 for the soundtrack to her concert documentary Divine Madness. "Keep On Rockin'" was the second Sammy Hagar track Midler recorded, his hard rock track "Red" was featured on her 1977 studio album Broken Blossom. The Rose soundtrack also included one song that since its original release has become a mainstay in Midler's live repertoire, Jerry Ragovoy's blues ballad "Stay with Me".
The Rose peaked at number 12 on Billboard's album chart in the Spring of 1980, making it Midler's bestselling album since 1973's Bette Midler.
The album was digitally remastered and reissued on CD by Atlantic Records/Warner Music in 1995.

Track listing

All tracks recorded live unless otherwise noted
Side A
  1. "Whose Side Are You On?" - 4:30
  2. "Midnight In Memphis" - 3:44
  3. Concert Monologue - 2:22
  4. "When a Man Loves a Woman" - 5:20
  5. "Sold My Soul To Rock 'N' Roll" - 3:42
  6. "Keep On Rockin'" - 4:03
Side B
  1. "Love Me with a Feeling" - 3:54
  2. "Camellia" - 3:25
  3. Homecoming Monologue - 1:23
  4. "Stay with Me" - 5:42
  5. "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" - 1:35
  6. "The Rose" - 3:42

Personnel

The Rose Concert Band
"Love Me With a Feeling" Band
"The Rose" Ensemble

Production