Monday, April 1, 2019

It Started with a Rose #MewsicMovesMe

The theme of this week's Mewsic Moves Me blog hop is "April showers bring May flowers" (songs about spring, rain, and flowers). For this theme there can only be one featured song because it's so extra special to me - The Rose, written by Amanda McBroom and originally recorded by Bette Midler -  the song that started my Conway obsession 30+ years ago.


Conway released his version of The Rose in January 1983. I would've only been 5 at the time so my best guess is I heard it for the first time a few years later when I really got into country radio. Even at that young age I remember thinking his voice was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard. I guess you could say he captured my heart that day and has had it ever since.



A live performance of The Rose from a 1992 concert...



Can you pinpoint the exact moment you became a fan of your favorite artist or band?

22 comments:

Mickey's Musings said...

Mum grew up with the Beatles thanks to her older sisters :)

Purrs Georgia,Julie and JJ

Brian's Home Blog said...

A Rose is purrfect especially since blooming season is here!

The Island Cats said...

No roses blooming here...we have snow on the ground! And that's no April Fool's joke.

Patricia T said...

A beautiful song. Thanks Melissa and Mudpie.

Cathy Kennedy said...

Melissa,

Conway does a lovely job covering 'The Rose'. As much as I like Bette's original, I might enjoy Conway's equally touching version slightly more. Thanks for joining the 4M gang on the dance floor. I shared my mewsic pick on Sunday and I hope y'all will find time to check out my Little Mermaid Art Sketch series beginning with ARIEL on Curious as a Cathy!!

Have a boogietastic day.

csuhpat1 said...

Very nice. Conway has such a great voice.

Cathy Keisha said...

Gramma bought TW her first records when she was about 9. As a teenager she loved folk music but then her brother got Patti Smith's first lp as a Christmas present the year it came out. TW stole it and wore it out. She literally went from seeing a July Collins' concern one night to seeing Patti Smith the next night. She never looked back.

Catscue Cat Mom said...

Beautiful song and a beautiful Mudpie today too!

The Menagerie Mom said...

I don't know how disturbing this is or not, but one of my favorite songs of all time is Blue Oyster Cult's "(Don't Fear) The Reaper". I remember the first time I heard that song. I was pretty young, and I was in the car with my classic rock loving dad, so he was immediately able to tell me what and who it was. To this day, every time I hear it in a movie, on the radio, anywhere, I get so excited. The same goes for Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now".

The Florida Furkids said...

Mom's stepdad saw Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl and had the album....once she heard it she was a fan for life. (MOL except maybe her politics!)

The Florida Furkids

Valentine said...

You are a rose, Miss Mudpie, and that song is always music to the ears. Mom says she listened to whatever Auntie listened to, so when Auntie brought home the 'Elvis in Hawaii' album, that's when Mom first heard his voice and she's loved it ever since. Purr purr purr. -Valentine (& Kerry) of Noir Kitty Mews

Mary B said...

For the longest time I've enjoyed this song. I vividly recall Bette Midler's version, and it's quite nice to hear Conway Twitty do it justice.

pilch92 said...

I love The Rose, I had no idea that Conway had performed this song too. As you know, I love Nic Cage-since I was in high school in 1986 when Peggy Sue Got Married came out. Still my favorite movie.

John Holton said...

I'm not sure I have *a* favorite band; I'd hear a song on the radio and decide that I liked or didn't like a band, and sometimes they'd kind of grow on me like barnacles. Good choice her3!

Timmy Tomcat said...

Dad is a big fan of a lot of the rock music of the 60's and 70's. He really likes the 50's too. Goodness he is getting old MOL
Timmy and Family

XmasDolly said...

Thanks for posting both I don't think I ever heard the second one. I suppose he could read the phone book and sound great! Thanks... and have a great evening!

Peachy, Stippie, Angel Binky and Granny said...

Love that song, Mudpie and Melissa. Great choise for the theme <3 There are more bands Granny is fan of, it all started when she was a little girl of 8 or 9 years old with the Rolling Stones :D Pawkisses for a Happy Day🐾😽💞

Priscilla King said...

Mmm...so many "favorites"! I remember the first time I heard "The Rose" covered by "Skeeter" Davis on the Grand Ole Opry. I never was a fan of hers, but I instantly loved the song...what adolescent doesn't worry about becoming a "soul afraid of dying that never learns to live"?!

Three Chatty Cats said...

I don't have a favorite artist or band. I actually don't have a favorite for most things (movie, book, etc.). I guess you could say cats are my favorite though!

bookworm said...

I love The Rose but had never heard Conway Twitty sing it. I like the first live performance better than the second - he definitely, definitely made the song his own. Our roses won't be here for another two months, alas (and it snowed today!) Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

Stacy Uncorked said...

I'd not heard Conway's version of The Rose - he really does have an amazing voice, doesn't he? Thanks so much for the dance! :)

Rene said...

I remember going to Kmart back in the mid 1980s and looking at the cassette tapes. I remember seeing two women, mother and daughter, on a tape and thought that was neat. I bought the tape--it was Rockin' With the Rhythm by the Judds. I'm still a fan today and have seen Wynonna person numerous times, most recently last August.