In 1989, a movie soundtrack song rose to the top of the charts, cementing Bette Midler‘s place in pop music history.
Still, few songs in history have earned a reputation for making people cry quite like “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Decades after its release, the song remains widely remembered as one of the biggest emotional gut-punches ever recorded.
According to Medium, Midler’s song, the cornerstone of the Beaches movie soundtrack, is “one of the greatest tearjerker songs of all time. Initially conceived as a love song, it became something more universal — a tribute to all kinds of human relationships.”
Nashville songwriters Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley wrote the song in 1982, drawing from a poem Henley had written, as explained by Smooth Radio. Surprisingly, instead of the slow-paced song it ultimately became, “Wind Beneath My Wings” was originally intended as an upbeat tempo number.
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But after a producer changed the tune into a sweeping ballad, the track made its way around the music industry. Before Midler’s version, it was recorded by artists including Roger Whittaker, Sheena Easton, and Gladys Knight. Additionally, there were versions by Colleen Hewett (1982), Lou Rawls (1983), Gary Morris (1983), and Perry Como (1988).
According to Rhino Records, Midler’s version of “Wind Beneath My Wings” was ranked at the top of the list of songs played at funerals in Britain in 2002. The Co-Operative Group’s Funeral Service noted that Midler’s song ranked at No. 1, followed by Celine Dion‘s “My Heart Will Go On,” Whitney Houston‘s “I Will Always Love You,” and Tina Turner‘s “The Best.”
In an interview with CBS Mornings, the entertainer admitted she was initially hesitant to record the song. She had no idea the impact it would eventually have on millions of listeners, reaching the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1989.
“I did not,” Midler stated. “In fact, Marc Shaiman, who did the music for this, he brought the song to me. It had been a country hit.”
“I said, ‘I’m not gonna sing that song,'” Midler continued. “I didn’t want to sing it. First, I didn’t understand it. Secondly, I thought it was a little corny. He said, ‘I’m telling you, this is it.'”
When asked by interviewer Gayle King if she liked “Wind Beneath My Wings” now, Midler had a completely different response. “Yes, I really, really like the song,” she admitted.
“Wind Beneath My Wings” didn’t just top the Billboard charts. It permanently cemented its place in pop culture history as the definitive song for a good cry. More than 35 years later, the tune remains as emotionally hard-hitting as ever.
Related: 1977’s Biggest Tearjerker, Sung by a TV Star, Named One of the Saddest Songs of the Decade