Bootleg Betty
On This Day In History: Bette Midler’s 4th Album, Broken Blossom, Is Released
By Mister D
Nov. 17, 2025
Bette Midler’s fourth studio album, Broken Blossom, was released on November 17, 1977 (48 years old), by Atlantic Records. Coming just months after her live album Live at Last, this record marked a return to studio experimentation and genre-blending that had become her signature. Produced by Brooks Arthur and Midler herself, Broken Blossom is a theatrical mosaic of styles, ranging from torch songs to rock covers and whimsical standards. The album includes a sultry duet with Tom Waits on “I Never Talk to Strangers,” a dramatic rendition of Billy Joel’s “Say Goodbye to Hollywood,” and a dreamy take on Edith Piaf’s “La Vie en Rose.” Midler also covered Harry Nilsson’s “Paradise” and closed the album with “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from Disney’s Cinderella, showcasing her flair for sentimental show tunes. Though it peaked modestly at No. 51 on the Billboard charts, Broken Blossom stands out for its eclecticism and theatricality, reflecting Midler’s cabaret roots and her growing confidence as a producer and interpreter of diverse musical styles.
The title “Broken Blossom” appears to be a subtle nod to the 1919 silent film “Broken Blossoms,” directed by D.W. Griffith, which tells a tragic story of love and abuse set in London’s Limehouse district. While Bette Midler’s album doesn’t directly reference the film in its lyrics or themes, the evocative title and theatrical tone suggest a thematic resonance—both works explore vulnerability, longing, and emotional complexity.
Midler, known for her deep appreciation of vintage Hollywood and theatrical drama, may have chosen the title to evoke a sense of faded beauty or emotional fragility, much like the film’s central motifs. However, there’s no official confirmation that the album is a direct homage, so it’s best interpreted as a poetic parallel rather than a literal tribute.
