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 Billboards single chart. The studio-recorded title track (written by Amanda McBroom) 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 notedSide A"Whose Side Are You On?" (Kenny Hopkins, Charley Williams) - 4:30 "Midnight In Memphis" (Tony Johnson) - 3:44 Concert Monologue - 2:22 "When a Man Loves a Woman" (Calvin Lewis, Andrew Wright) - 5:20 "Sold My Soul To Rock 'N' Roll" (Gene Pistilli) - 3:42 "Keep On Rockin'" (Sammy Hagar, John Carter) - 4:03Side B "Love Me with a Feeling" (Hudson Whittaker) - 3:54 "Camellia" (Steve Hunter) - 3:25 Homecoming Monologue - 1:23 "Stay with Me" (Jerry Ragovoy, George David Weiss) - 5:42 "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" (Beth Slater Whitson, Leo Friedman) - 1:35 "The Rose" (Studio recording - album version) (Amanda McBroom) - 3:42
Personnel Bette Midler - lead vocalsThe Rose Concert Band Danny Weis - guitar David Campbell - string arrangements Steve Hunter - guitar Mark Leonard - bass guitar Robbie Buchanan - keyboards Pentti "Whitey" Glan - drums Norton Buffalo - harmonica & trombone, backing vocals Jerry Jumonville - saxophone Mark Underwood - trumpet Bill Champlin - background vocals Donny Gerrard - background vocals"Love Me With a Feeling" Band Greg Prestopino - acoustic guitar Bill Elliott - piano Jon Sholle - electric guitar Scott Chambers - bass Harry Stinson - drums"The Rose" Ensemble' Lincoln Mayorga - piano Amanda McBroom - harmony vocals
Production Paul A. Rothchild - record producer, musical arranger, remixing William Gazecki - sound engineer, Associate Producer, remixing Bob Leonard - engineer Roger Mayer - engineer Stuart Taylor - engineer John Neal - engineer Ed Lever - engineer Recorded by: The Enactron Truck SMPTE Code Processing by: Canyon Recorders Remixed at Elektra Sound Recorders by Bill Gazecki, Paul A. Rothchild Concerts recorded live during June & July 1978 Stephen Innocenzi – remastering (1995 reissue)
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for The Rose Chart (1979–1980) Peakposition Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) 10 US Top 100 Albums (Cash Box) 11 US The Album Chart (Record World) 12
Year-end charts + Year-end chart performance for The Rose Chart (1980) Position Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) 7 New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) 36 US Billboard 200 12 US Top 100 Albums (Cash Box) 33 US Top Soundtrack Albums (Cash Box) 3 US Top Soundtrack Albums (Record World) 5
Certifications
References