In 1980, a Bette Midler track was endlessly rejected, until it became number one

Bette Midler’s recording of Amanda McBroom’s song “The Rose” became a major hit after years of rejection, helping establish a new adult contemporary sound in the early 1980s. Midler championed the ballad for the film soundtrack, despite the producers initially disliking it.

McBroom wrote the song in about ten minutes after hearing Leo Sayer sing “Magdalena” and reflecting on the nature of love. It was one of more than 3,000 submissions considered for the 1979 film The Rose; music supervisor Paul Rothchild kept it under consideration and sent it to Midler, who pushed for its inclusion. The recording played over the end credits and was released as the film’s second single, reaching number three on Billboard’s adult contemporary chart.