The Rose, although performed by Bette Midler wasn’t written by her. It was actually written by Amanda McBroom and made famous by Bette Midler in the 1979 movie, The Rose. Since then it has been covered by a variety of artists. The song is a commentary on people who are so afraid of failing (in love, among other things) that they do not even try, as illustrated by the lyric “It’s the soul, afraid of dying, that never learns to live…”.

Midler hit #3 on the U.S. pop charts with her version, which was certified as a gold single. Midler’s version of “The Rose” was played in a 1987 episode of the soap opera Days of our Lives, to signify the sorrow felt by the character Kayla Brady, who had just been raped.

The Rose lyrics, Bette Midler

Some say love it is a river
that drowns the tender reed
Some say love it is a razer
that leaves your soul to blead

Some say love it is a hunger
an endless aching need
I say love it is a flower
and you it’s only seed

It’s the heart afraid of breaking
that never learns to dance
It’s the dream afraid of wakingthat never takes the chance
It’s the one who won’t be taken
who cannot seem to give
and the soul afraid of dyingthat never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely
and the road has been too long
and you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winterfar beneath the bitter snows
lies the seed
that with the sun’s love
in the spring
becomes the rose

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