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).
One For My Baby
Bette Midler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bette: "Well, you know, when they asked me to come on and . . .
I can't believe it! The last, the last guest. The last fool
Mr. Carson will have to suffer gladly. You are the wind beneath
my wings. Oh, well he is."
Quarter to three. There's no one in the place
So set 'em up, Joe. Got a little story
I think you should know.
We're drinkin', my friend, to the end
of a sweet episode.
Make it one for my baby
and one more for the road.
Got the routine. So drop another nickel
in the machine.
Oh, gee, I'm feelin' so bad. Wish you'd make the music
so dreamy and sad.
You could tell me a lot. But it's not
in a gentleman's code.
Let's make it one for my baby
and one more for the road.
You may not know it,
but buddy you're a kind of poet.
And you've had a lot of things to say.
And when I'm gloomy
you always listen to me,
until it's talked away.
Well, that's how it goes.
And John I know you're getting
anxious to close.
So, thanks for the cheer.
I hope you didn't mind me
bending your ear.
For all of the years,
for the laughs, for the tears,
for the class that you showed,
make it one for my baby
and one more for the road.
That long long road.
Johnny: "Thank you, Bette. Ah."
Bette Midler's One For My Baby is a song about two people who find themselves alone at a bar at quarter to three in the morning. They discuss the end of a sweet episode before drinking to it with a toast of "one for my baby and one more for the road." As the night continues, Bette requests a dreamy and sad tune and encourages Joe, the bartender and also musician, to "tell me a lot." The song ends with Bette thanking John (presumably the host, since she references the last guest he will have to suffer gladly) for the years of laughter and tears, proposing one last drink for the road ahead.
Bette's interpretation of the song is a classic example of her vocal prowess, as she captures the perfect balance between melodrama and introspection. The lyrics of the song are simple, yet powerful, and her delivery is nuanced and heartfelt, making it a standout among her repertoire. The song's sense of melancholy and reflection resonates with many listeners and makes it a popular pick for bars and lounges late into the night.
Line by Line Meaning
Quarter to three. There's no one in the place except you and me.
It's pretty late into the night, and the only two people remaining are the singer and the bartender, signifying a very intimate and private moment.
So set 'em up, Joe. Got a little story I think you should know.
The singer wants the bartender to pour a drink before the bartender hears the message, indicating that the story is quite bitter and demands a calming effect.
We're drinkin', my friend, to the end of a sweet episode.
Both the singer and the bartender are trying to forget about something that used to be pleasant, which has ended now, with no trace left but a sense of sourness.
Make it one for my baby and one more for the road.
The artist is requesting another drink for themselves, as they have a long journey ahead of them.
Got the routine. So drop another nickel in the machine.
The artist wants the bartender to play a song that has rhythm to it, as it would help them and the bartender miss the sad one the artist recalls.
Oh, gee, I'm feelin' so bad. Wish you'd make the music so dreamy and sad.
The singer needs a slow, sad tune to match their mood so that it can pacify their emotions.
You may not know it, but buddy, you're a kind of poet.
The bartender listens to the singer profoundly, which inspires the singer to appreciate how apt the bartender is with their words and thinks of them as a poetic person.
And you've had a lot of things to say. And when I'm gloomy, you always listen to me, until it's talked away.
The bartender has been the artist's listening ear in the past, helping them vent until they feel better, which the artist acknowledges with gratitude.
Well, that's how it goes. And John I know you're getting anxious to close.
The artist recognizes that the evening is coming to an end, and soon it will be time to leave.
So, thanks for the cheer. I hope you didn't mind me bending your ear.
The artist is expressing thanks to the bartender for listening to them, and proposes that their conversation had been therapeutic.
For all of the years, for the laughs, for the tears, for the class that you showed, make it one for my baby and one more for the road. That long long road.
The bartender has been a constant presence in the singer's life, having been involved in their mirth and sadness, so the singer wants to drink a final drink before embarking on the long journey ahead of them.
Contributed by Juliana A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
VeracityLH
For those not familiar with the song, the last verse was rewritten especially for this performance. In addition to changing the barman's name from Joe to John near the end, singing "And John I know you're anxious the close..." (the show, which was nearing its end), the last verse was replaced with:
"For all of the years,
For the laughs, for the tears,
For the class that you showed,
"Make it one for my baby
And one more for the road.
That long, long road."
Her voice breaks, she cried, he cried, we all cried. And the performance well deserved its Emmy.
TR Goohileshea
This woman could sing the phone book and make you cry. She is absolutely one of the best vocalists alive today.
Alice Henderson
cornelius washington you said it, yes she is the best at getting us all to cry, she can cry easy herself & the fact she has had quite a bit of heartache, we just have to love her, and be kind & the more we tell her how much we love her, she smiles
Alice Henderson
I still can't say enough about Bette, she was amazing that night, so caring, and a true sweetheart, love her.
Frederick Hunter
I just love her spirit I swear she is a mega talent.
shihlin1
She's an even better performer when on stage singing live, that's Bette at her best.
TV performance does her no justice, you have to be THERE.
Katie Blackmon
@shihlin1 You are so right. I saw her in Las Vegas in 2008, I believe. I had 8th row center seats. She sang, danced, changed costumes, played the ukelele for nearly 3 hours! It was incredible.
Ron Flatter
I was there that night. What you don't see was during the credits, Robin, Bette and Johnny did a theatrical bow. Already awash in tears, we all roared. The standing ovation began at the end of Bette's song. No one sat down again until we were in our cars after leaving Studio 1. Everyone was emotionally drained. And it was only 6:30 p.m.
BillyAlabama
Pretty marvelous! You’ll never forget it.
Epcot Forever
That’s amazing!
Cindy Palumbo
I can imagine it was such a beautiful experience.