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).

Manhattan
Bette Midler Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Summer journeys to Niagara
And to other places aggravate all our cares.
We'll save our fares!
I've a cozy little flat in
What is known as old Manhattan
We'll settle down
Right here in town!
We'll have Manhattan

The Bronx and Staten Island too.
It's lovely going through the zoo!
(Sing to me, Bette, come on)

It's very fancy
on old Delancy street you know. (I know)
The subway charms us so
When balmy breezes blow
To and fro.
I'd like to take a
Sail on Jamaica Bay with you,
And fair Canarsie's Lakes we'll view.
The city's bustle cannot destroy
Oh, the dreams of a girl and boy
We'll turn Manhattan
Into an isle of joy.
Ooh, yeah
And tell me what street
compares with Mott Street in July?
Sweet pushcarts gently gliding by.
The great big city's a wondrous toy
Ooh, just made for a girl and boy.

We'll turn Manhattan into an isle of joy!
We'll turn Manhattan into an isle of joy!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bette Midler's song "Manhattan" depict a joyful and romantic view of the city. The song begins by highlighting the stresses and cares of summer journeys to various places, suggesting that staying in Manhattan is a better alternative. The singer expresses her contentment with her cozy apartment in old Manhattan and her desire to settle down in the city.

The song continues to describe the different boroughs of New York City, mentioning Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. The mention of going through the zoo indicates the enjoyment of exploring the city's attractions. The lyrics then emphasize the charm of Delancey Street and the subway, particularly during pleasant breezy days. The singer expresses her desire to sail on Jamaica Bay and admire Canarsie's Lakes with her partner, emphasizing the beauty and serenity that can be found within the bustling city.

The lyrics also highlight the enchanting Mott Street in July, where sweet pushcarts glide by, emphasizing the small joys and wonders of city life. The song concludes with the idea that the dreams of a girl and boy cannot be destroyed by the city's busyness. The aim is to turn Manhattan into an isle of joy, a place where romance, dreams, and happiness thrive.

Overall, "Manhattan" celebrates the beauty, charm, and endless possibilities that the city holds for lovers and dreamers.

Line by Line Meaning

Summer journeys to Niagara
Going on summer trips to Niagara and other places only add to our worries and stresses.

And to other places aggravate all our cares.
Traveling to different destinations only intensifies our concerns and troubles.

We'll save our fares!
Let's not spend money on traveling and save it instead!

I've a cozy little flat in
I have a small, comfortable apartment in

What is known as old Manhattan
In the well-known neighborhood of Manhattan

We'll settle down
Let's establish ourselves

Right here in town!
In this very location!

We'll have Manhattan
We will experience all that Manhattan has to offer

The Bronx and Staten Island too.
We'll also explore The Bronx and Staten Island.

It's lovely going through the zoo!
It's delightful to visit and explore the zoo.

(Sing to me, Bette, come on)
(Entertain me with your singing, Bette, don't hold back)

It's very fancy
It's quite elegant and upscale

On old Delancy street you know. (I know)
On the historic Delancey Street, as you're aware.

The subway charms us so
The subway captivates us with its charm

When balmy breezes blow
Especially when gentle, warm breezes are blowing

To and fro.
Back and forth.

I'd like to take a
I would enjoy taking a

Sail on Jamaica Bay with you,
Going for a boat ride on Jamaica Bay together,

And fair Canarsie's Lakes we'll view.
And we will admire the beautiful lakes of Canarsie.

The city's bustle cannot destroy
The city's busy atmosphere cannot diminish

Oh, the dreams of a girl and boy
The aspirations and dreams of a young couple

We'll turn Manhattan
We will transform Manhattan

Into an isle of joy.
Into a place filled with happiness.

Ooh, yeah
Expressing excitement and agreement.

And tell me what street
And please inform me which street

Compares with Mott Street in July?
Is comparable to Mott Street during the month of July?

Sweet pushcarts gently gliding by.
Lovely street vendors' carts smoothly moving along.

The great big city's a wondrous toy
The vast city is a marvelous plaything

Ooh, just made for a girl and boy.
Especially designed for the enjoyment of a young couple.

We'll turn Manhattan into an isle of joy!
We will transform Manhattan into a place filled with happiness!

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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