Bootleg Betty
Video: Bette Midler Sings Martha on SNL, 1979
By Mister D
Oct 7, 2025
Bette Midler made her one and only appearance on Saturday Night Live as the musical guest on the episode hosted by Buck Henry, which aired on May 26, 1979 (Season 4, Episode 20). During the show, she performed two songs: “Married Men” (from her 1979 album Thighs and Whispers) and a deeply emotional rendition of “Martha,” a haunting ballad originally written and recorded by Tom Waits on his 1973 album Closing Time.
The song is a melancholic, piano-driven narrative about an old man reflecting on a lost love from his youth, reaching out to her after decades of separation. Midler’s version amps up the raw vulnerability with her powerhouse vocals, backed by a simple arrangement that highlights the lyrics’ regret and tenderness. It’s often hailed as one of SNL’s most poignant musical moments, with fans and critics calling it “the saddest song ever written” in her hands.
The Harlettes (Midler’s longtime backup singers) included future stars like Katey Sagal (Married… with Children) and Luther Vandross on this performance, adding layers of soulful harmony.
This was the final episode featuring original cast members John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, giving it extra historical weight. Midler’s delivery—raw, theatrical, and heartbreaking—perfectly captured the song’s essence, and it’s frequently cited as a career highlight in her music.
Magnificent.
One of my all time favorites