Bootleg Betty
Video: Bette Midler Sings My Mother’s Eyes
By Mister D
April 25, 2025
“My Mother’s Eyes” is a poignant ballad performed by Bette Midler, written by singer-songwriter Tom Jans. The song was featured on Midler’s 1980 live album Divine Madness, which captured performances from her concert tour supporting the comedy film of the same name. Released as a single in November 1980, it included “Chapel of Love” on the B-side and reached #39 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #8 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
Song Details and Themes:
Lyrics and Meaning: The song opens with Midler introducing it as a “little ballad” she recently learned. Its lyrics reflect introspection and identity, with lines like “Got my mother’s eyes and my father’s hair / Does anybody really care?” The narrator speaks of seeing the world through their mother’s perspective, symbolizing her guidance and influence. Themes include heritage, loss, and questioning one’s place in the world, with phrases like “Have I seen all that I could? / Have I seen more than I should?” evoking a sense of longing and reflection.
Musical Style: Described as a “sincerely rendered ballad” with “torchy lyrics,” it suits Midler’s emotive vocal style, blending vulnerability and strength. The live arrangement emphasizes her theatrical delivery, supported by striking musical accompaniment.
Writer and Covers: Tom Jans wrote the song, and while he recorded it himself in 1978 (released in 1982), Midler’s 1980 version was the first to be released. It was later covered by Nancy Harrow with Jack Wilkins.
Critical Reception:
Billboard praised the song for its lyrical fit with Midler’s vocal style and its compelling arrangement, noting its chart performance as a testament to its appeal.
Additional Notes:
There’s a distinct 1929 song also titled “My Mother’s Eyes” by Abel Baer and L. Wolfe Gilbert, recorded by various artists, but it’s unrelated to the Jans composition.
The song’s inclusion in Divine Madness ties it to Midler’s peak era as a performer, blending her comedic and dramatic talents in a live setting.
