Bootleg Betty
Audio Video: Bette Midler – My Knight in Black Leather – Disco Nick Remix
By Mister D
November 10, 2026
My Knight In Black Leather is a disco-pop track recorded by Bette Midler for her 1979 album Thighs and Whispers. The song reflects the album’s dance-oriented direction, a stylistic departure from some of Midler’s earlier cabaret and traditional pop recordings. Producer and arranger Arif Mardin, who worked extensively on the album, helped craft its polished late-1970s disco sound.
Released on the album Thighs and Whispers in 1979. It features Midler’s playful, theatrical vocal style with a strong dance-floor rhythm. The song tells of a romantic fascination with a mysterious motorcycle-riding knight figure, blending fairy-tale imagery with modern pop culture.
The title ‘My Knight In Black Leather’ plays on the classic fairy-tale phrase ‘knight in shining armor’. It replaces that image with the contemporary idea of motorcycles and rebellious cool.
Although not among Midler’s biggest career hits, the song became a favorite among fans of her disco-era recordings. The album Thighs and Whispers represented Midler’s strongest embrace of disco music during the height of the genre’s popularity. A performance video and the official audio remain popular with collectors and fans. In Australia, it spent months on the charts. It reached the Top 30.
“My Knight in Black Leather” is often cited as one of the clearest examples of Bette Midler’s willingness to adapt to changing musical trends while retaining her trademark humor, charisma, and larger-than-life performance style. It offers an interesting snapshot of her disco period and remains a notable deep cut in her catalog.
