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Bootleg Betty
31 Years Ago Today, Bette Midler Released The Single ‘To Deserve You
By Mister D
Feb, 27, 2026

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“To Deserve You” was released February 27, 1995, as the lead single for Bette Midler’s Bette of Roses album, though the single itself took on a life of its own. Written by Maria McKee and produced by Arif Mardin, the song exists in two distinct forms:

• Album Version: a tender, country?leaning ballad
• Single Version: a full?blown mid-’90s house remix that turned Bette into an unexpected club diva

Why It Stands Out

The remix single is almost a different song entirely, keeping only Bette’s vocals and a spoken “I would die for you” sample while replacing the entire backing track with a 123 BPM house production.

It became a major dance hit, reaching #2 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs and charting internationally, including the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada.

Live Performance

Bette performed “To Deserve You” at the 1995 VH1 Honors Awards, giving the song one of its few major televised moments.

Release Formats & Mixes

1995 saw a buffet of club-ready mixes across U.S., Canadian, and European releases — including Arif’s Radio Mix, Bonzai Club Mix, MK Mix, and more — cementing the song’s status as a dance-floor staple.

Fun Trivia for Your Bootleg Betty Toolkit

1. Two release dates circulate — but June 27, 1995, is the verified one.

Genius lists July 27, 1995, but the authoritative release date is June 27, 1995.

2. The remix overshadowed the album version.

Most listeners know the dance version first — a rare case where a remix became the definitive version.

3. It opened the international reissue of Experience the Divine.

Atlantic/Warner used the remix as the lead track on the expanded edition in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

4. It’s one of Bette’s most lyrically vulnerable songs.

Themes of inadequacy, longing, and emotional exposure run through the entire lyric — even critics highlighted its “poignant exploration of self-worth.”

5. It’s a fan-favorite among club kids and ballad lovers alike.

A rare crossover where Bette’s theatrical emotionality met ’90s dance culture head-on.