Bette Midler (December 1, 1945) is an American singer, actress, and comedia… Read Full Bio ↴Bette Midler (December 1, 1945) is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known to her fans and especially in gay culture, as The Divine Miss M. She was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Jewish parents from New Jersey, and raised there. Midler relocated to New York City to pursue acting on stage, and in 1970 she began singing at the Continental Baths, a gay bathhouse in the city, where she became close to her piano accompanist, Barry Manilow, who produced her first major album, The Divine Miss M in 1973. She is named after the actress Bette Davis although Davis pronounced her name in two syllables, and Midler uses one.

During her career, she has won four Grammy Awards, four Golden Globes, three Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award, and has been nominated for two Academy Awards. She performed a new concert show, The Showgirl Must Go On, live five nights a week at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 2011 (together with Cher and Elton John).

I Think It's Going to Rain Today
Bette Midler Lyrics

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Broken windows and empty hallways,
A pale dead moon in a sky streaked with grey.
Human kindness is overflowing,
And I think it's gonna rain today.

Scarecrows dressed in the latest styles,
The frozen smiles to chase love away.
Human kindness is overflowing,

And I think it's gonna rain today.

Lonely, lonely.
Tin can at my feet,
I think I'll kick it down the street.
That's the way to treat a friend.

Bright before me the signs implore me:
Help the needy and show them the way.
Human kindness is overflowing,
And I think it's gonna rain today.

Lonely, so lonely.
Tin can at my feet,
I think I'll kick it down the street.
That's the way to treat a friend.

Bright before me the signs implore me:
Help the needy and show them the way.

Human kindness is overflowing,
And I think it's gonna rain today.

Overall Meaning

In Bette Midler's song "I Think It's Going to Rain Today," there are a few different themes at work. One of the most prominent is a sense of loneliness and isolation, as she describes broken windows, empty hallways, and a pale dead moon. However, this is juxtaposed with the idea that "human kindness is overflowing." This suggests that even in the face of such desolation, there is still a sense of hope and optimism.

Additionally, the song touches on the idea of how we treat others, particularly those in need. The line "Bright before me the signs implore me: Help the needy and show them the way" is a call to action, reminding us to be kind and compassionate to those who may be struggling. This is reinforced by the repeated line "That's the way to treat a friend," reminding us that even strangers can be considered friends in need.

Overall, the song is a commentary on the human experience, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, there is still the potential for kindness, empathy, and hope.

Line by Line Meaning

Broken windows and empty hallways,
'Broken windows and empty hallways' signifies sadness, emptiness and a lack of hope.

A pale dead moon in a sky streaked with grey.
The 'pale dead moon in a sky streaked with grey' symbolizes depression, despair and a sense of loneliness.

Human kindness is overflowing,
Despite the sadness and despair in the world, 'human kindness is overflowing' and people are still capable of love and compassion.

And I think it's gonna rain today.
The lyric 'And I think it's gonna rain today' is a metaphor for sadness and despair that the artist sees in the world.

Scarecrows dressed in the latest styles,
The 'scarecrows dressed in the latest styles' symbolize people who are putting up a front and pretending to be someone they're not.

The frozen smiles to chase love away.
The 'frozen smiles' represent insincerity and a lack of genuine care in interpersonal relationships, which can cause love to wither away.

Lonely, lonely.
The repetition of 'lonely' emphasizes the sense of isolation and emotional distance that the singer feels from the rest of the world.

Tin can at my feet,
The 'tin can at my feet' symbolizes the artist's own lack of worth and value in a world that is seemingly turning its back on them.

I think I'll kick it down the street.
The act of kicking the 'tin can down the street' shows a desire to take control and exert some agency over one's own circumstances, no matter how small the action may seem.

That's the way to treat a friend.
The final line of this stanza is ironic, since treating a friend with disregard and disrespect is not usually seen as a friendly act.

Bright before me the signs implore me:
The 'signs' serve as a metaphor for societal pressures and expectations to do good and help others.

Help the needy and show them the way.
The lyric 'Help the needy and show them the way' is a call to action, urging people to be empathetic and compassionate towards those who are struggling.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Randy Newman

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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