Friends (Bette Midler song)
Encyclopedia
"Friends" is a 1973 hit single by Bette Midler
. It was written by Buzzy Linhart
and Mark "Moogy" Klingman
. In the United States, the song reached #9 on the Adult Contemporary chart and reached #40 on the Billboard Hot 100
chart.
. More of a rock sound than a pop sound, Linhart's version had an alternative title, "(You Got To Have) Friends". Bette Midler was one of Linhart's close friends during the early 1970s. While rehearsing for an audition for a Broadway show called Mirror Cracked, Linhart sang to Midler a song that he and his songwriting partner Mark "Moogy" Klingman
had just written, called "Friends." After hearing the song, Midler asked Linhart if she could sing "Friends" during a show that she was performing in at the Continental Baths
in New York. Klingman and Linhart attended the show and were impressed with the performance. Soon after, Midler recorded the song on her debut album The Divine Miss M
, which was a nickname she personified.
.
Bette Midler
Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She became famous as a cabaret and concert headliner, and went on to star in successful and acclaimed films such as The Rose, Ruthless People, Beaches, and For The Boys...
. It was written by Buzzy Linhart
Buzzy Linhart
Buzzy Linhart is an American rock performer and musician.Born William Linhart in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he began honing his craft playing percussion for symphony at the age of seven, switching to vibraphone at ten...
and Mark "Moogy" Klingman
Moogy Klingman
Mark "Moogy" Klingman was an American musician and songwriter. He was a founding member of Todd Rundgren's musical team Utopia, and later became a solo recording artist, bandleader and songwriter...
. In the United States, the song reached #9 on the Adult Contemporary chart and reached #40 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart.
Background
A version of "Friends" was recorded by one of the song's co-writers, Buzzy LinhartBuzzy Linhart
Buzzy Linhart is an American rock performer and musician.Born William Linhart in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he began honing his craft playing percussion for symphony at the age of seven, switching to vibraphone at ten...
. More of a rock sound than a pop sound, Linhart's version had an alternative title, "(You Got To Have) Friends". Bette Midler was one of Linhart's close friends during the early 1970s. While rehearsing for an audition for a Broadway show called Mirror Cracked, Linhart sang to Midler a song that he and his songwriting partner Mark "Moogy" Klingman
Moogy Klingman
Mark "Moogy" Klingman was an American musician and songwriter. He was a founding member of Todd Rundgren's musical team Utopia, and later became a solo recording artist, bandleader and songwriter...
had just written, called "Friends." After hearing the song, Midler asked Linhart if she could sing "Friends" during a show that she was performing in at the Continental Baths
Continental Baths
In 1968, Steve Ostrow opened the Continental Baths in the basement of the Ansonia Hotel in New York City. Continental Baths was advertised as reminiscent of "the glory of ancient Rome."-Facilities:...
in New York. Klingman and Linhart attended the show and were impressed with the performance. Soon after, Midler recorded the song on her debut album The Divine Miss M
The Divine Miss M (album)
The Divine Miss M is the debut album by American female vocalist Bette Midler, released in 1972 on the Atlantic Records label. The title of the album refers to Midler's famous stage persona...
, which was a nickname she personified.
In popular culture
"Friends" can be heard during the final scene and closing credits of the 1973 film The Last of SheilaThe Last of Sheila
The Last of Sheila is a 1973 mystery film directed by Herbert Ross, written by Anthony Perkins and Stephen Sondheim, It stars Richard Benjamin, Dyan Cannon, James Coburn, James Mason, Ian McShane, Joan Hackett, and Raquel Welch....
.