I Had To Resort To Beauty
(Bette Midler, Jerry Blatt)
Tid-Bettes: Bette wrote and recorded this song for her third album “Songs For The New Depression,” but the song was not included in the final album. Bette did however perform this song live during the early shows of the “Songs For The New Depression Tour” in 1976, as her way of introducing her bag lady character, who would later become Nanette.Â
I was so sure with my bight conversation
And my singular talent to amuse
When added to my grasp of mathematics
My ability in Latin
I was bound and determined to pull through
Ah, but no, it was not to be
For though they always noticed me
When it was time to go home
I went home alone
So I had to resort to beauty, darling
No matter how hard I thought
To be adored for my quickness of mind
To be loved for me and not my behind
Without any makeup I just couldn’t find
The love I so fervently sought
I was forced to resort to beauty
Yes I had to resort to beauty, darling
There’s simply no substitute
Although I was charming, witty and gay
Spoke with a lamb on events of the day
I could write a sonata
Still I would stay
A fish that could not get caught
I was forced to resort to beauty
Now beauty of course is only skin deep
And there’s so much more to me to be explored
But at least now some folks are digging right in
And I’m not quite as full as before
The band will sing
She had to resort to beauty
Darlings
She had to resort to beauty
Darlings
Beauty
Darlings
Yes I had to resort to beauty, darling
It’s really terribly sad
And yet when I think of the stones I now own
My one or two quite remarkable homes
Well, needless to say I am never alone
I must confess I’m almost glad
I had to
Resort to
Beauty