Bette Midler - Miss Otis Regrets

[BlueMoonDamsel24]

I love this song with Bette's voice!!!

[tuckerstuffntube]

What a performer. Nobody does it like Bette! Thanks for uploading.

[ArteDian1]

This is pure talent..Bette Midler was born to be a diva!!

[dahepicness]

I am 15, and she is my idol I love her work. She is amazing.

[RImusclebear1]

The brillance of this song is it is about a lynching of a white woman as told by her black domestic servant. The song is from Cole Porter's broadway show "Hey Diddle Diddle" rarely performed today. Porter's social commentary will live forever!

[pennytr8]

fabulous



[wampawampa]

i like the version by Jimmie Lunceford the best, this one is meh. But I still gave it a thumb up.

[FelfiLoh]

a great like !!! بحبك

[deeway1963]

21 Dislikes? Come on now!

[AllNaturElle1]

LOVE LOVE LOVE!

[1978yz]

B-I-G WOW!!!

[vaguemarx]

It's very interesting interpretation of the song. Not my favorite, but very valid. Everyone should listen to Ella's version. It's very different.

[RImusclebear]

The song is from a play called "Jubilee". It burlesques high society. Ms. Otis's domestic sings this song in the play. As anything the great Cole Porter did it is brilliant and Bette's interpretation ain't bad neither!

[jameelahere]

My disappointment is how the older performers who we used to see in great costumes were talked into

Looking bland ON STAGE and now we are praising Lady Gaga. The money makers love to play games.

[demondincredible]

Seriously, how the fuck can you click dislike on this?!?!?!

[billismine24]

This is our dance song!! loveee it!

[arielgirl]

I love Bette and this song. But this performance is hideously dorky and dated.

[deeway1963]

One of the greatest entertainers ever! Love Bette!

[masterpiecelover]

best version of the song...Cole Porter was making a funny about society.

[ekaye86]

omg i love this woman

[justcaper]

fake,,,she's not singing....p-lease

[melbeanx]

@justcaper --i was standing next to her onstage so I can tell you we're all singing live, no overdubs.

[henleyst]

@melbeanx

That's RIGHT. You TELL 'em, Beaners!!  ;)

[melbeanx]

@justcaper --I was on stage with her so i can tell you she's singing live, no overdubs. In fact, we were ALL singing live.  She''s just that good!

[CleoTheSim]

@melbeanx Then by gawd, your audio guy is miraculous! The recording is unbelievably clean. As someone who has made television recordings of live performances for the last 15 years, I have to admit the quality of this makes it look like overdubbing is being used.

[justcaper]

fake

[pongqi]

fuckin unbelievable, fantastic!

[bebenic]

to suggest that bette treat this song as if it were "strange fruit", is absurd. this was cole porter's tongue in cheek commentary on 'polite' society. she is adept at turning faux-tragedy into tragicomedy. i know of no other entertainer who is better. in her own words, "fuck 'em if they can't take a joke!"

[paulostroff99]

@bebenic -Well understood and VERY well said.

[bebenic]

@paulostroff99

thanks, man.

[prokraston]

Bette Midler is GORGEOUS! and FABULOUS!!! :)

[momscouter]

Satchmo - beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And although Bette Midler is not what many consider to be the current standard of beauty - she has a presence and beauty that transcends all definitions. May be time to look beyond the cover and see the book.

[bdeering01]

Satchmosings..self "ass-rape" sounds like you are a fan, or at least an expert. Moron.

[SatchmoSings]

Middler should do what other performers that have a dance chorus on-stage with her do.

They deliberately choose dancers uglier than themselves so people won't look at the good looking dancers instead of the person who is obstensibly the "star."

That said, Middler would have to conduct quite a helluva search for good dancers to fill such a requirement!

[RImusclebear]

This song is from a show called "Hi Diddle Diddle" The song is told by one of Miss Otis's domestic servants who is black, after Miss Otis's death. Miss Otis was seduced and then abandond by one of her lovers. Her repution in society was ruined . The culture in 1930's society dictated Miss Otis had to die. The crowd lynched Miss Otis. Porter was showing that if a rich society woman could be lynched, anybody could. There is nothing politically incorrect here. It is a social commentary on lynching.

[happygoddamnit]

bdeering01 - this is not a 'lynch' song. It was written by Cole Porter (doubt you know who he was) for a lively show in London, 1934. You're way to PC, and need to loosen up and enjoy the Divine Miss M...

[bdeering01]

Does anyone listen to lyrics anymore ? It's a well written, well performed in the right tempo and feel. I love your assumptions, I know Cole Porter's entire songbook, as well as Gershwin, raised on it. Turning this into a broadway, fast paced feel good song- is not the best version in my opinion. I'm not PC at all. By the way I think Bette Midler is a talented artist- But in this version is insulting. thanks for your opinion yet it doesn't change mine.

th

[bdeering01]

"When the mob came and got her and dragged her from the Jail, Madam. And strung her up on the willow across the way, and the moment before she died, she lifted up her lovely head and cried" ..I'm not making a political statement but one of lyrical integrity. Listen to Ella's or Billie Holiday's version.

[happygoddamnit]

Ella's or Billie Holiday's versions are exactly that - their versions. This is Bette's, done in the version one would expect from Bette. It is mere lyrics, not based on a true story. If it were, then I supposed no one should be singing about a real life event even slightly perkey. Your opinion does not change mine either. Thank god the world is a place of differences of opinions...

[RomZomCom]

@bdeering01

You obviously haven't heard of songs that utilize lyrics that are the opposite of the tune.

[bdeering01]

Bette Midler should be ashamed of herself! To turn a lynch song in to a parody jazz song! ABSURD!

[musicguy225]

Guess what, get over it. It's a good song this way. You should be ashamed for leaving such a stupid comment, to be breathing the same air as someone like you is ABSURD!

[bdeering01]

thank you for your elementary insight. Obviously missed the point that I was making.

[musicguy225]

Obviously, the only thing I got outta that is that you really like your exclamation points.

[bdeering01]

It's "out of" if we are making grammar corrections, and I do know that is the only thing you did get out of that, because you haven't made any intelligent points for why it is a version of this song. It's a great , well written, well performed song originally and at mo and turning it into a broadway show tune at least is insulting and at most a bastardization.

[EpicureMammon]

Ugh. No it isn't.

[Dancingroxycat100]

this song is awesome

:-)

[19620727]

if you can find the cover by Evan Dando(the lemonheads)of this song,you'll like it

[ielohveeeux3]

shes awesome!

[dhollins]

he is a morsel in terrence cody's belly

[Dutchgirl002]

hmm...

I think kirsty mccol does a way better job.. sorry, my opinion..

this isn't bad though..

[Rumiton]

You have it. Kirsty understood this thing.

[spicemeupnl]

i love bette she's so fun to watch and listen to

[PsychoticGeek23]

"He should have seen it comin..."

i love that part.

*plays over and over*

[spicemeupnl]

yeah i love that part as well :-)

[Somepeople]

To hear definitive rendition of this song, listen to the original version by the one and only Ethel Waters - also posted on Youtube. The song is absurd, so I suppose it can be given any treatment the singer wants, but listen to Waters version and it's hard to feel any other way of singing it could be right. Ella Fitzgerald's is also brilliant.

[PsychoticGeek23]

I agree. But this is still pretty catchy.

LOL. Sing it slow, and it's tragic. Sing it fast and it's demented.

I love this song.

[Mazlanka24]

Way to ruin a very serious important song. She turned the song into a Burlesque show tune. Completely ruined the song. Completely

[yieldyieldyield]

I suppose you're entitled to your opinion, even though your opinion sucks ass.

[strussman40]

Man, love that orchestra backing the Devine one...

[di5n33]

I'm Miss Otis =P lol like that's my last name and I'm not married =P hahaha Awesome!! ^_^ I remember always listening to this song when I was little.

[nandesneto]

This is SOOOOOOOO horrible. How could she sang this masterpiece like that ???

So disrespectful !

AWFUL

[rambrewster]

Lighten up! It's a legitimate interpretation. MAabe not your taste, but certainly not "disrespectful."

[dilaton1]

It wasn't any more appropriate when Frank Sinatra did it. Anyway, Bette doesn't do appropriate.

[Ozworldz]

This treatment just seems so inappropriate.

[silentangel000]

i love this song. I tap danced to this in June for my dance recital and it was very comical and overly dramatized lol

[PsychoticGeek23]

how very peculiar! the tune is so catchy, and yet the lyrics are just plain demented!!!!

i love it! =)

five stars.

[Candysox5560]

I really wish I could see Bette live, she's so amazing. This is my fav. song by her!

[jameelahere]

I hate that she wears normal clothes on stage now. Where are the costumes?

[Timinator43]

I loved when she did this on the last Tonight Show with Johnny Carson....she wore a sundress with large sunflowers all over! (The best thing she ever did was that same show, when she sang "One For My Baby" to Johnny, incredibly touching version!

It's SUPPOSED to be funny, "mazzabrighton"....you really need to lighten up!

[slimmy38]

HOT HOT HOT...FANTASTIC

[VealParmigiana]

Bette still sings very well. Her dancing makes me chuckle.

[AyeRadha]

Just because it's a blues song doesn't mean she has to follow some set rules while performing it. Also, It's for some Vegas show, I can understand why she went in that direction. Jeez, lay off already.

[someonezmom]

lmao if you don't like Bette's version...I say click on to "large dogs" or "singing cats" on Youtube...let us enjoy Bette without the mundane comparisons to dead people..sheesh..you phuquing kunts..lmao..click on!!

[Baltzley1]

You're someonezmom and you talk like that---sheeeez!

[jorgea1]

Oh! Girls, pulleeezzz.

[cmhmuscle]

Well listen to Ella Fitzgerald sing it - slowly.....

[pladahitz2]

luv her...forever....great energy...kenny and jay!!!!!!!

[mazzabrighton]

I've never given a negative response to a video before, but this is horrible. I've always liked Bette Midler. I hope she can move on from shit like this! It's a travesty and she should know it!

[stphncrmr]

are you freaking kidding me??? this is fun! get over yourself and please, don't even respond to my comment. Bette is one of our best entertainers!

[naizret]

Watching Bette Midler sing is a little like watching a professional wrestler play chess. Does she have any idea that this is a Cole Porter song? Does she understand the lyrics? Being homely/fat and brassy isn't enough.

[savdavid]

No, I am sure a professional singer who has songs from every major songwriter for years would have NO idea this was Cole Porter. Why she can't even read on the sheet music "Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter". This is her style and her interpretation and the best one I have ever heard.

[naizret]

No fury like a fairy scorned!

[tlyoung88]

Keep in mind that Cole Porter wrote this song as part of a bet. So there's no reason be too sentimental. It's not based on anything real.

ty

[rambrewster]

Doees anyone realize who Cole Porter was?

[19620727]

i do

[paulostroff99]

@rambrewster -ARGUABLY the finest song writer that ever existed.

[paulostroff99]

@rambrewster -ARGUABLY the finest songwriter that ever existed.

[YorkieYaz]

This song is suppost to be sung with emotion. Its a tragic song, why the hell is she ruining it.

listen to ella fitzgeralds version.

its suppost to me the blues, not this crap

[megahann12]

i love love loved this song as a kid (and obviously still do) i never knew anyone but bette could do a better job! ;)

sure it's sad, but she just makes it so amazing, i always understood the story though, but i don't know, just something about it you can listen to the sad story or dance to the music hahaa she's certainly got the gift :P

[Allendv57]

SIMPLY FABULOUS111111111111

[kartebirds998]

thats cute

[bebesutil]

i kinda like this rendition. sounds like old cowboy songs sung fast even if the theme is horrible. sets me to "Chicago" date and time. definitely with a touch of the roaring 20s. God i'm old!

[henrysinaga]

the saddest song I've ever heard in my life, and sung this way..... not sure even if it's by the divine Miss M

[crazmonb]

i love this woman and this song

[ejrocks01]

this issss sooo good

[LaBelle63]

OMG!!! LaBelle's version and this are so different. I do think this version is a little to happy, to be a song about a murder!!!

[faith5001]

i couldnt imagine a more disagreeable interpretation of the song....

[pladahitz2]

why are u upset?

[Jennithebaker]

This is the only version I've ever known. Looking forward to listening the original original.

[Noodleydoo]

Man after hearing Labelle's version of this song--it's just amazing how the same song can be interpreted so completely differently

[blueribenaberry]

What an old school performance! Love her :)

[earthmother]

bETTE IS THE ballz

Nuff sed

[Stackabones]

Such a tacky version! Makes you wonder the lyrics were even read by the choreographer, music director, etc. A song about murder and lynching with this kind of treatment? Bizarre, odd, a bit gross. I'm shocked that someone of Bette Midler's stature would make such a mistake.

[Djbearrob]

bones, obviously you don't know much about the song, Miss Otis Regrets. Cole Porter wrote it as a satire on high society. Bette does an appropriately campy version....

[paulostroff99]

@Djbearrob -Well said.

[FlyingGravityDefyer]

I'm doing this song for show choir.

[bebenic]

what a powerhouse. luv bette.

[IMAXfan]

fabulous...Bette, stellar and original

[goodguys65]

love the back up singers very sexy

[wild7horse]

OMG OMG I finish heard miss Otis Regret from Labelle recent album 'Back To Now', tears of joy listening Labelle singing this song ... Everybody should listen Labelle's rendition and album

[aRMories]

What the hell !!!! I wish the mob would drag this woman somewhere for destroying a beautiful song with the most hideous rendition of it.

[angelmannj]

u guys should check out the LABELLE version of this song! it's not ella, but if u like patti, nona and sarah...u will def like their version recorded in "69".

[Djangoblackbird]

WHY would you do the song this way? Ella's version is so nuanced and poignant; this is borderline crass.

[yalejomo]

This is the original version by Cole Porter. Later in time he re-wrote "Miss Otis" and turned it into the world-wide known jazz tune that became famous in the interpretation of unrivalled Ella Fitzgerald. Personally, I like the jazz version much better...

[konadreamer50]

STILL GREAT!!

[ashotinthedark10]

God I love Bette Midler.

[admiralwilliambrown]

Awful. The murder of an innocent song.

[cedar688]

absolutely hidious

[stevenlaguna]

STUNNING.

[jmwhite33]

she is truly an entertainer... how many people can put so much effort and seem so effortless.. so much talent..

[lillydaher]

I just did an English exam which quoted the lyrics of this song!

Lool.

[ghettomermaid]

Man, to do that in heals...

She IS divine! ;oP

[AggieSis123]

OMG I <3 THIS SONG!

[surfcottage]

One would hope!!! lol xox J

[allertonoff]

Intentionally grotesque i'm sure.

[getmny1]

I got to experience the great Bette Midler, while in Vegas and she was awsome!

[teofrasto51]

I would like so much to hear this song in the interpretation of the man who sang it in the film Night and Day...

[Jokaire]

I was shocked when I first saw this. I only knew Carmen McRae singing it and when I saw those chicks jumping around on the stage and spanking their arses so stupidly, I thought this had to be a bad joke.

Can't help thinking it now!

[TomsFriendKake]

LOL, that is so true though. Did you see the version with Fred Astaire dancing. Really good as well.

[burgerz28]

Ella Fitzgerlad did it before Carmen.

[intuey]

it's okay was directed to a post from lthek- just accidentally put it in the wrong box- the song is totally awesome- far from just okay :)

[RaNekhen]

This is a great Bette M. song. Thanks!

[MILEYMONTANAx]

AH i'm so excited to do thissss!!! i love this song&hearts;

[MILEYMONTANAx]

i'm doing this song for my tap solo :D

[xXxXOogieXBoogieXxXx]

You're sooo lucky... we're doing Ghostbusters in tap for our show... we're gonna get costumes too so we'll look like proper Ghostbusters! Still wish I was doing Miss Otis Regrets, though.

[LILMISSKIKI099]

just so awesome !!!! love it ... love bette !!!thanks ;) xx

[dulchenea]

It's called a spoof. Like he says, lighten up.

[Ithek]

I personally do not like this quick tempo more comical version of this song. I like the slower more sincere version of the song. I don't understand the motive or emotion behind this version.

[energy2429]

There's nothing to understand.. lighten up and enjoy!

[Ithek]

Well sure there. I mean the song is about a woman shooting a man, it's not a light song. It's a ballad.

[intuey]

It's okay- the way she does it has to make you smile. I love the line- "She lifted up her lovely head and cried, "Mada'am, Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today!"

[mortensenjon]

I rather enjoy the parady. Sure, the original is amazing, but why would Bette simply choose to do the original?

[divineswigs]

I hope Miss Otis shot him more than once !!

[darkfairylightfairy]

oh i agree xD

LOVE THIS SONG!

[imightjustbeinsane]

you gotta love that diva ;)

[Katterrena]

Bette Midler rocks!! The song is so hilarious.

[midgetashley]

LOVE IT=]