Bootleg Betty
Watch Bette Midler’s Classic Performance Of Superstar
By Mister D
Sept. 24, 2024
Bette Midler’s performance of “Superstar” on the “Burt Bacharach: Opus No. 3” Special in 1973 is often remembered as one of the defining moments in her early career. Here are some highlights of that performance:
The Burt Bacharach Special was a television program on which Bacharach showcased his music and featured various artists. Bette Midler was already gaining attention for her unique style and powerful voice and was one of the guests. Others included Gilbert O’Sullivan, Stevie Wonder, and Peter Ustinov.
“Superstar” was originally a song by The Carpenters, with lyrics by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell. However, Midler’s rendition became iconic for its emotional depth and theatrical flair. Midler theatrically performed the song. She was dressed in a simple, almost ethereal gown, which contrasted with the intensity of her performance. Her delivery was filled with raw emotion, showcasing her vocal range from soft, haunting tones to powerful, belting notes.
The staging was minimalist, focusing entirely on Midler. This simplicity made her performance stand out, emphasizing her connection with the audience through her voice and expression. The camera work was intimate, often close-up, capturing every nuance of Midler’s facial expressions and vocal inflections, which added to the song’s emotional impact.
This performance helped solidify Midler’s reputation as a performer capable of combining pop, theater, and raw emotional power. It’s often cited as a showcase of her ability to take a song and make it uniquely her own, turning it into a deeply personal and universally relatable experience.
Midler’s “Superstar” on the Burt Bacharach Special wasn’t just a performance; it was a moment where her unique talent was displayed in its purest form, contributing significantly to her rise to stardom. If you’re interested in seeing how performances have evolved or how they’re remembered, this might be a fascinating case study in the intersection of music, television, and theatrical performance.
This is my all-time favorite version of Bette singing this song–and perhaps any song. I like it even better than the alternate version on Bette’s Deluxe Divine Miss M (2-disc set) CD. She sings it with so much emotion, and it is so moving, that it left me absolutely gutted, when I first saw it. It was this performance that led me to believe that she would (someday/soon) become an Oscar-nominated actress. No other performer can embody the lyric and emotion of a song as Bette can. This is the proof. Songwriters know it. Thank you for sharing! This is perfection.