1980 Iconic Pop Ballad, Sung by a Famous Hollywood Actor, Won a Grammy 45 Years Ago
Bette Midler has always been known as a triple threat in Hollywood, having sung more than a few hit tracks for her feature films. In 1979, Midler hand-selected a pop ballad for her grand film debut that ended up winning her a Grammy and cemented her footing in the film industry.
By the '70s, Midler had made a name for herself as a singer thanks to her studio albums and live performances. Before she became one of Hollywood's A-list stars and iconic actors, Midler made her acting debut in the musical film The Rose in 1979. The project was the perfect fit for Midler and would become the needed push to stardom. Loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin, Midler played the role of a self-destructive rock star battling the pressures of her career and the demands of her business manager.
Every musical needs its hit soundtrack and defining songs, with Midler hand-selecting the song "The Rose" to perform as the film's ending credits track. The track was written by actor and singer Amanda McBroom. In a 1981 Billboard article, McBroom admits the song didn't come out the way it was supposed to.
She was told by her manager to record a Bob Seger-style/rock 'n' roll track to land a record deal. Instead, McBroom sat down and wrote "The Rose" in 45 minutes and never changed a thing. It was written in 1977, and before it was a movie track, McBroom would sometimes perform it at clubs.
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"The Rose" made it as part of the film thanks to Midler, who became enamored with it after it was rejected by the producer. The song ended up peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and topped the Adult Contemporary charts.
It became certified Gold by the RIAA and would lead Midler to win the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1981. Midler won against some of the biggest nominees with Irene Cara for "Fame," Olivia Newton-John for "Magic," Donna Summer for "On The Radio," and Barbara Streisand for "Woman in Love."
"It's the kind of song singers wait for all their lives," says Midler. "My real fans know me as a ballad singer anyway. They don't pay attention to the nutsy stuff. But for me to finally get some kind of mass recognition as a straight-ahead balladeer is probably the greatest thrill of my career."
The Rose not only further cemented Midler as a singer with a Grammy win, but also led to her first-ever Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role. McBroom admitted the track wasn't nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars because she was honest about it not having been created specifically for the film. The American Film Institute ranks Midler's movie track as one of the best in American cinema.
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This story was originally published May 9, 2026 at 8:35 AM.