Bootleg Betty
The Underrated Albums Of Bette Midler
By Mister D
March 30, 2026
The underrated Bette Midler albums are where the deep cuts, the experiments, and the “why didn’t this get more love?” moments live. These aren’t the big?canon records (The Divine Miss M, Some People’s Lives) — these are the albums that critics slept on, fans rediscover, and Bootleg Betty readers eat up.
Below is a clean, curated list based on critical reception, chart performance, and long?term fan reassessment.
Bette Midler’s Most Underrated Albums
(The “Justice for Miss M” Edition)
? 1. Songs for the New Depression (1976)
A funky, strange, deeply personal album that critics didn’t know what to do with. Today it feels ahead of its time — queer, theatrical, and musically adventurous.
? 2. Broken Blossom (1977)
Overshadowed by her film career and live albums of the era, it’s one of her most intimate and vocally rich records. A quiet gem.
? 3. Thighs and Whispers (1979)
Her disco moment! Critics dismissed it as fluff, but it’s now a cult favorite — campy, stylish, and surprisingly cohesive.
? 4. No Frills (1983)
A stripped?down, new?wave?leaning album that didn’t chart high but has aged beautifully. Fans adore its rawness and humor.
?? 5. Bette Midler (1973)
Her sophomore album gets lost between the iconic debut and her later hits, but it’s vocally stunning and full of deep cuts.
