Bootleg Betty
September – Bette Midler – Kiss My Brass – 2004
By Mister D
Sept 11, 2026
Quick takeaway: In Kiss My Brass, Bette Midler performs “September” as part of a short, tender duet.
Additionally, it pairs with the Mister Rogers song “I Like to Be Told.”
It’s a quiet, emotional breather in the show after the big Broadway?spoof medley.
Before the final run of signature hits, she shifts from camp to sincerity and delivers the lullaby-like moment.
What the moment feels like: Bette Midler transitions out of the Mister Rogers segment, softening the tone of the concert.
“September” is performed simply, without the brass?heavy spectacle that defines most of the show.
The staging leans intimate: warm lighting, minimal movement, and a focus on vocal phrasing.
It acts as a palate cleanser before she launches into “From a Distance,” “Do You Wanna Dance,” and the big finale numbers.
Why it stands out. Kiss My Brass is known for its maximalism—mermaids, boardwalks, Broadway parodies, and jokes galore. Bette Midler
“September” is one of the rare moments where she drops the shtick and sings with quiet emotional clarity.
It’s a nod to her post?9/11 reflective material, which the tour incorporated sparingly.
