Olivia Newton-John, A Retrospective: 1971-1992

Olivia Newton-John A Retrospective: 1971-1992

Overview: The country/pop singer was born 9/26/1948 in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England. She died on 8/8/2022. Her family moved to Australia in 1953. At age 16, won talent contest to England. Granddaughter of Nobel Prize-winning German physicist Max Born. She was in the Pat & Olivia duo and group Tomorrow before going solo. She won the CMA Award for Female Vocalist of the Year in 1974. In movies Grease, Xanadu, and Two of a Kind. Married actor Matt Lattanzi in 1984, divorced in 1995. Opened own chain of clothing boutiques (Koala Blue) in 1984. Her daughter Chloe was born in 1986. She battled breast cancer in 1992, was diagnosed with cancer again in 2013, and a third time in 2017. Married John Easterling in 2008. She sold more than 100 million records in her career. On the Web: OliviaNewton-John.com (official site) Facebook Wikipedia Lists: Top 50 Songs

Awards:

The Studio Albums: Hover over an album cover to see its title and year of release. Click on the album to go to its dedicated DMDB page. Compilations: IL If You Love Me Let Me Know (1972-74, released 1974) G1 Greatest Hits (1971-77, released 1977) G2 Olivia’s Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (1978-82, released 1982) BB Back to Basics (1971-92, released 1992) MV Magic: The Very Best of (1973-90, released 2001) GD Gold (1970-98, released 2005) Under each album snapshot, songs featured on the anthologies are noted. If the song charted, the date of the song’s release or first chart appearance and its chart peaks are noted in parentheses. Click for codes to singles charts.

If Not for You

Rating: 4.110 out of 5.00 (average of 4 ratings)

Released: November 1, 1971 Peak: 158 US, 14 AU Sales (in millions): -- Tracks: Me and Bobby McGee If Banks of the Ohio (10/16/71, 94 US, 34 AC, 6 UK, 66 CN, 1 AU) BB-E, BB-AU, GD In a Station Love Song Help Me Make It Through the Night If Not for You (3/20/71, 25 US, 23 CB, 24 HR, 1 AC, 7 UK, 3 CN, 7 AU, 5 DF) G1, BB-E, BB-AU, GD Where Are You Going to My Love Lullaby If I Gotta Leave No Regrets Total Running Time: 35:54

Olivia

Rating: 3.977 out of 5.00 (average of 3 ratings)

Released: August 11, 1972 Peak: -- Sales (in millions): -- Tracks: Angel of the Morning Just a Little Too Much (1972 single) If We Only Have Love Winterwood My Old Man’s Got a Gun Changes (8/72, --) L1, G1 I’m a Small and Lonely Light Why Don’t You Write Me Mary Skeffington IL Behind That Locked Door What Is Life (3/4/72, 34 AC, 16 UK, 34 DF) BB-E Everything I Own Living in Harmony I Will Touch You Total Running Time: 40:38

Let Me Be There (aka “Music Makes My Day”)

Rating: 3.440 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Released: November 1973 Peak: 54 US, 37 UK, 39 CN Sales (in millions): 0.5 US Tracks: Take Me Home, Country Roads (1/73, 15 UK, 36 DF) BB-E Armoureuse Brotherly Love Heartbreaker Rosewater You Ain’t Got the Right IL Feeling Best Being on the Losing End Let Me Be There (8/25/73, 6 US, 4 CB, 6 HR, 7 RR, 3 AC, 7 CW, 2 CN, 11 AU, 9 DF) G1, BB-AU, MV, GD Music Makes My Day Leaving If We Try Total Running Time: 42:09

Long Live Love

Rating: 3.750 out of 5.00 (average of 4 ratings)

Released: June 24, 1974 Peak: -- US, 40 UK, -- CN, 19 AU Sales (in millions): -- Tracks: Free the People IL Angel Eyes Country Girl IL Someday God Only Knows IL Loving You Ain’t Easy Home Ain’t Home Anymore IL Have Love, Will Travel I Honestly Love You (8/3/74, 12 US, 12 CB, 12 HR, 16 RR, 1 3 AC, 6 CW, 22 UK, 11 CN, 14 AU, 1 DF) IL, G1, BB-US, BB-E, BB-AU, MV, GD Hands Across the Sea The River’s Too Wide IL Long Live Love (3/31/74, 11 UK, 11 AU) DF Total Running Time: 36:46

If You Love Me Let Me Know

Rating: 3.517 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings) Notes: This album was a compilation of material from 1972’s Olivia (2 cuts), 1973’s Let Me Be There (1 cut), and 1974’s Long Live Love (6 cuts) + the single “If You Love Me Let Me Know.”

Released: May 28, 1974 Peak: 11 US, 18 CW, -- UK, 11 CN, -- AU Sales (in millions): 0.5 US Tracks: If You Love Me Let Me Know (4/6/74, 5 US, 6 CB, 5 HR, 7 RR, 2 AC, 2 CW, 56 UK, 3 CN, 2 AU, 9 DF) G1, BB-US, BB-AU, MV Mary Skeffington Country Girl I Honestly Love You (8/3/74, 12 US, 12 CB, 12 HR, 16 RR, 1 3 AC, 6 CW, 22 UK, 11 CN, 14 AU, 1 DF) IL, G1, BB-US, BB-E, BB-AU, MV, GD Free the People The River’s Too Wide Home Ain’t Home Anymore God Only Knows Changes You Ain’t Got the Right Total Running Time: 31:08

Have You Never Been Mellow

Rating: 3.018 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Released: February 12, 1975 Peak: 11 US, 11 CW, 37 UK, 3 CN, 13 AU Sales (in millions): 0.5 US Tracks: Have You Never Been Mellow (1/21/75, 11 US, 11 CB, 11 HR, 15 RR, 11 AC, 3 CW, 13 CN, 10 AU, 9 DF) G1, BB-US, BB-E, BB-AUF, MV, GD Loving Arms Lifestream Goodbye Again Water Under the Bridge I Never Did Sing You a Love Song It’s So Easy The Air That I Breathe Follow Me And in the Morning Please Mr. Please (5/30/75, 3 US, 11 CB, 5 HR, 6 RR, 13 AC, 5 CW, 11 CN, 35 AU, 9 DF) G1, BB-US, MV, GD Total Running Time: 39:29

Clearly Love

Rating: 2.478 out of 5.00 (average of 7 ratings)

Released: September 30, 1975 Peak: 12 US, -- UK, 39 CN, 56 AU Sales (in millions): 0.5 US Tracks: Something Better to Do (9/20/75, 13 US, 15 CB, 30 HR, 28 RR, 13 AC, 19 CW, 26 CN, 60 AU, 22 DF) G1, GD Lovers Slow Down Jackson He’s My Rock Sail into Tomorrow Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying Clearly Love Let It Shine (12/6/75, 30 US, 12 AC, 5 CW, 17 CN) G1, GD Summertime Blues Just a Lot of Folk (The Marshmallow Song) He Ain’t Heavy…He’s My Brother Total Running Time: 31:13

Come on Over

Rating: 3.755 out of 5.00 (average of 4 ratings)

Released: February 29, 1976 Peak: 13 US, 49 UK, 30 CN, 29 AU Sales (in millions): 0.5 US Tracks: Jolene (8/5/76, 29 AU, 33 DF) Pony Ride Come on Over (3/13/76, 23 US, 30 CB, 30 HR, 30 RR, 11 AC, 5 CW, 22 CN, 55 AU) G1, MV, GD It’ll Be Me Greensleeves Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain Don’t Throw It All Away Who Are You Now? Smile for Me Small Talk and Pride Wrap Me in Your Arms The Long and Winding Road Total Running Time: 41:10

Don’t Stop Believin’

Rating: 2.458 out of 5.00 (average of 7 ratings)

Released: October 30, 1976 Peak: 33 US, -- UK, 56 CN, 88 AU Sales (in millions): 0.5 US Tracks: Don’t Stop Believin’ (8/7/76, 33 US, 11 AC, 37 CN, 93 AU, 34 DF) G1, BB-AU, MV, GD A Thousand Conversations Compassionate Man New-Born Babe Hey Mr. Dreammaker Every Face Tells a Story (10/30/76, 55 US, 6 AC, 58 CN) GD Sam (1/29/77, 20 US, 12 AC, 40 CW, 6 UK, 24 CN, 56 AU, 10 DF) G1, BB-US, BB-E, BB-AU, MV, GD Love You Hold the Key I’ll Bet You a Kangaroo The Last Time You Loved Total Running Time: 34:19

Making a Good Thing Better

Rating: 3.363 out of 5.00 (average of 4 ratings)

Released: November 3, 1977 Peak: 33 US, 60 UK, 33 CN, 71 AU Sales (in millions): -- Tracks: Making a Good Thing Better (6/18/77, 87 US, 20 AC) GD Slow Dancing Ring of Fire Coolin’ Down Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina (1977 single) Sad Songs You Won’t See My Cry So Easy to Begin I Think I’ll Say Goodbye Don’t Ask a Friend If Love Is Real Total Running Time: 42:22

Greatest Hits

Rating: 4.207 out of 5.00 (average of 10 ratings) Notes: All 12 cuts on this compilation had been previously released. For songs appearing on previously mentioned albums, see those album listings for chart peaks and appearances on other compilations

Charted: November 12, 1977 Covers: 1971-1977 Peak: 13 US, 19 UK, 11 CN, 18 AU, 6 DF Sales (in millions): 2.0 US, 0.3 UK Tracks: If Not for You (3/20/71) Changes (8/72, --) Let Me Be There (8/25/73) If You Love Me Let Me Know (4/6/74) I Honestly Love You (8/3/74) Have You Never Been Mellow (1/21/75) Please Mr. Please (5/30/75) Something Better to Do (9/20/75) Let It Shine (12/6/75) Come on Over (3/13/76) Don’t Stop Believin’ (8/7/76) Sam (1/29/77)

Grease (soundtrack)

Rating: 4.337 out of 5.00 (average of 22 ratings) Notes: See the DMDB page for Grease here.

Released: April 14, 1978 Peak: 112 US, 113 UK, 1u CN, 114 AU, 16 DF Sales (in millions): 14.0 US, 2.37 UK, 40.4 world (includes US and UK) Tracks (just those featuring Olivia Newton-John): You’re the One That I Want (with John Travolta) (4/1/78, 11 US, 3 CB, 11 HR, 3 RR, 23 AC, 19 UK, 2 CN, 19 AU, 2 DF) G2, BB-US, BB-E, MV, GD Hopelessly Devoted to You (7/8/78, 3 US, 4 HR, 3 RR, 7 AC, 20 CW, 2 UK, 11 CN, 2 AU, 4 DF) G2, BB-US, BB-E, BB-AU, MV, GD Summer Nights (with John Travolta and Cast) (8/5/78, 5 US, 3 CB, 4 HR, 10 RR, 21 AC, 17 UK, 4 CN, 6 AU, 3 DF) BB-US, BB-E, MV, GD Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee We Go Together (with John Travolta)

Totally Hot

Rating: 3.697 out of 5.00 (average of 11 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Released: November 21, 1978 Peak: 7 US, 30 UK, 5 CN, 7 AU, 14 DF Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.1 UK, 1.25 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: Please Don’t Keep Me Waiting Dancin’ ‘Round and ‘Round (7/28/79, 82 US, 25 AC, 29 CW, 37 DF) GD Talk to Me Deeper Than the Night (4/14/79, 11 US, 19 CB, 17 HR, 14 RR, 4 AC, 87 CW, 64 UK, 18 CN, 74 AU, 11 DF) BB-US, MV, GD Borrowed Time A Little More Love (11/25/78, 3 US, 4 CB, 4 HR, 3 RR, 4 AC, 94 CW, 4 UK, 2 CN, 9 AU, 8 DF) G2, BB-US, BB-E, BB-AU, MV, GD Never Enough Totally Hot (7/28/79, 52 US, 92 CN, 20 DF) GD Boats Against the Current Gimme Some Lovin’ Total Running Time: 39:19

Xanadu (soundtrack)

Rating: 3.765 out of 5.00 (average of 17 ratings) Notes: See the DMDB page for Xanadu here.

Released: June 27, 1980 Peak: 4 US, 2 UK, 2 CN, 16 AU, 18 DF Sales (in millions): 2.0 US, 0.1 UK, 3.07 world (includes US and UK) Tracks (just those featuring Olivia Newton-John): Magic (5/23/80, 14 US, 13 CB, 13 HR, 12 RR, 15 AC, 32 UK, 12 CN, 4 AU, 1 DF) G2, BB-US, BB-E, BB-AU, MV, GD Xanadu (with Electric Light Orchestra) (6/6/80, 8 US, 9 CB, 4 HR, 2 RR, 2 AC, 11 UK, 6 CN, 2 AU, 2 DF) G2, BB-E, BB-AU, MV, GD Suddenly (with Cliff Richard) (10/10/80, 20 US, 19 CB, 19 HR, 12 RR, 4 AC, 15 UK, 6 CN, 37 AU, 6 DF) G2, BB-E, MV, GD Dancin’ (with the Tubes) Suspended in Time Whenever You’re Away from Me (with Gene Kelly)

Physical

Rating: 3.954 out of 5.00 (average of 12 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Released: October 13, 1981 Peak: 6 US, 11 UK, 3 CN, 3 AU, 15 DF Sales (in millions): 2.0 US, 0.1 UK, 2.86 world (includes US and UK) Tracks: Landslide (1/16/82, 52 US, 18 UK, 8 DF) GD Stranger’s Touch Make a Move on Me (2/12/82, 5 US, 5 CB, 4 HR, 11 RR, 6 AC, 43 UK, 4 CN, 8 AU, 4 DF) G2, BB-AU, MV, GD Falling Love Make Me Strong Physical (9/28/81, 110 US, 18 CB, 19 HR, 2 RR, 29 AC, 28 RB, 7 UK, 16 CN, 15 AU, 1 DF) G2, BB-US, BB-E, BB-AU, MV, GD Silvery Rain Carried Away Recovery The Promise (The Dolphin Song) (9/28/81, 6 DF) Total Running Time: 38:23

Olivia’s Greatest Hits Vol. 2

Rating: 4.408 out of 5.00 (average of 11 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more). Notes: This compilation featured two new songs (“Heart Attack” and “Tied Up”) along with eight previously released songs. For songs appearing on previously mentioned albums, see those album listings for chart peaks and appearances on other compilations.

Released: September 3, 1982 Covers: 1978-1982 Peak: 16 US, 8 UK, 6 CN, 12 AU, 17 DF Sales (in millions): 2.0 US, 0.3 UK Tracks: Heart Attack (9/4/82, 3 US, 2 CB, 5 RR, 46 UK, 2 CN, 22 AU, 1 DF) G2, MV, GD Magic (5/23/80) Physical (9/28/81) Hopelessly Devoted to You (7/8/78) Make a Move on Me (2/12/82) A Little More Love (11/25/78) You’re the One That I Want (with John Travolta) (4/1/78) Tied Up (1/15/83, 38 US, 43 CN, 54 AU, 9 DF) G2, GD Suddenly (with Cliff Richard) (10/10/80) Xanadu (with Electric Light Orchestra) (6/6/80) Total Running Time: 35:54

Two of a Kind (soundtrack)

Rating: 3.037 out of 5.00 (average of 8 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Charted: December 3, 1983 Peak: 26 US, -- UK, 32 CN, 35 AU, 16 DF Sales (in millions): 1.0 US Tracks (just those featuring Olivia Newton-John): Twist of Fate (10/21/83, 5 US, 5 CB, 4 RR, 57 UK, 4 CN, 4 AU, 1 DF) BB-US, BB-AU, MV, GD Take a Chance (with John Travolta) (11/5/83, 3 AC, 6 DF) Livin’ in Desperate Times (2/11/84, 31 US, 29 CB, 27 RR, 13 CN, 81 AU, 3 DF) GD Shaking You

Soul Kiss

Rating: 2.810 out of 5.00 (average of 12 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Released: October 25, 1985 Peak: 29 US, 66 UK, 34 CN, 11 AU, 14 DF Sales (in millions): 0.5 US Tracks: Toughen Up (1/25/86, 69 AU, 10 DF) Soul Kiss (9/25/85, 20 US, 20 CB, 24 RR, 100 UK, 25 CN, 20 AU, 1 DF) BB-AU, GD Queen of the Publication Emotional Tangle Culture Shock Moth to a Flame Overnight Observation You Were Great, How Was I? (with Carl Wilson) Driving Music The Right Moment Total Running Time: 39:39

The Rumour

Rating: 3.113 out of 5.00 (average of 11 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Released: August 2, 1988 Peak: 67 US, -- UK, 94 CN, 30 AU, 16 DF Sales (in millions): -- Tracks: The Rumour (4/88, 62 US, 33 AC, 85 UK, 50 CN, 35 AU, 10 DF) BB-E, GD Love and Let Live Can’t We Talk It Over in Bed (1988 single, 17 DF) GD Let’s Talk About Tomorrow It’s Not Heaven Get Out Big and Strong Car Games Walk Through Fire Tutta La Vita Total Running Time: 40:42

Warm and Tender

Rating: 2.948 out of 5.00 (average of 11 ratings)

Released: September 9, 1989 Peak: 124 US, -- UK, -- CN, 109 AU, 12 DF Sales (in millions): -- Tracks: Jenny Rebecca Rocking Way You Look Tonight Lullaby My Lovely You’ll Never Walk Alone Sleep My Princess The Flower That Shattered the Stone Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Warm and Tender (promo single, 37 DF) BB-E Rock-A-Bye Baby Over the Rainbow Twelfth of Never All the Pretty Little Horses When You Wish Upon a Star Brahm’s Lullaby / Reach Out for Me (1/6/90, 32 AC, 35 DF) GD Total Running Time: 41:27

Back to Basics

Rating: 3.683 out of 5.00 (average of 10 ratings) Awards: (Click on award to learn more). Notes: This career-spanning retrospective featured four new songs (“Deeper Than a River,” “Not Gonna Be the One,” I Want to Be Wanted,” and “I Need Love”). There were three separate editions – the American edition (BB-US), the European/Japanese edition (BB-EBB-AU). For songs appearing on previously mentioned albums, see those album listings for chart peaks and appearances on other compilations.

Released: June 9, 1992 Peak: 121 US, 12 UK, -- CN, 15 AU, 11 DF Sales (in millions): 0.5 US Tracks: * If Not for You (3/20/71) BB-E, BB-AU Banks of the Ohio (10/16/71) BB-E, BB-AU What Is Life (3/4/72) BB-E Take Me Home, Country Roads (1/73) BB-E Let Me Be There (8/25/73) BB-AU If You Love Me Let Me Know (4/6/74) BB-US, BB-AU I Honestly Love You (8/3/74) BB-US, BB-E, BB-AU Have You Never Been Mellow (1/21/75) BB-US, BB-E, BB-AU Please Mr. Please (5/30/75) BB-US Don’t Stop Believin’ (8/7/76) BB-AU Sam (1/29/77) BB-US, BB-E, BB-AU You’re the One That I Want (with John Travolta) (4/1/78) BB-US, BB-E Hopelessly Devoted to You (7/8/78) BB-US, BB-E, BB-AU Summer Nights (with John Travolta and Cast) (8/5/78) BB-US, BB-E A Little More Love (11/25/78) BB-US, BB-E, BB-AU Deeper Than the Night (4/14/79) BB-US Magic (5/23/80) BB-US, BB-E, BB-AU Xanadu (with Electric Light Orchestra) (6/6/80) BB-E, BB-AU Suddenly (with Cliff Richard) (10/10/80) BB-E Physical (9/28/81) BB-US, BB-E, BB-AU Make a Move on Me (2/12/82) BB-AU, Twist of Fate (10/21/83) BB-US, BB-AU Soul Kiss (9/25/85) BB-AU The Rumour (4/88) BB-E Warm and Tender (1988 promo single) BB-E The Grease Megamix (with John Travolta) (12/22/90, 25 US, 12 RR, 23 A40, 3 UK, 50 CN, 15 AU) BB-AU, MV, GD I Need Love (7/11/92, 96 US, 75 UK) BB-US, BB-E, BB-AU Deeper Than a River (8/22/92, 20 AC, 40 DF) BB-US, BB-E, BB-AU, GD Not Gonna Be the One BB-US, BB-E, BB-AU I Want to Be Wanted BB-US, BB-E, BB-AU * Tracks from American, European/Japanese, and Australian editions are all listed above in chronological order.

Magic: The Very Best Of

Rating: 3.964 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings) Notes: This compilation is the best bet for fans wanting a capsule of Olivia’s career in one disc.

Released: November 9, 2001 Covers: 1973-1990 Peak: 150 US, -- UK, -- CN, -- AU, -- DF Sales (in millions): 0.17 US Tracks: Let Me Be There If You Love Me Let Me Know I Honestly Love You Please Mr. Please Come on Over Don’t Stop Believin’ Sam You’re the One That I Want (with John Travolta) Hopelessly Devoted to You Summer Nights (with John Travolta & Cast) A Little More Love Deeper Than the Night Magic Xanadu (with Electric Light Orchestra) Suddenly (with Cliff Richard) Physical Make a Move on Me Heart Attack Twist of Fate The Grease Megamix (with John Travolta)

Gold

Rating: 4.572 out of 5.00 (average of 5 ratings) Notes: This two-disc retrospective includes “Fool Country,” a B-side from the Xanadu era that had never been released on an album. It also has “The Best of Me,” a 1986 duet with David Foster, and a 1998 re-recording of “I Honestly Love You” with Babyface. For songs appearing on previously mentioned albums, see those album listings for chart peaks and appearances on other compilations.

Released: June 14, 2005 Covers: 1971-1998 Peak: -- US, -- UK, -- CN, 71 AU, -- DF Sales (in millions): -- Tracks, Disc 1: (1) If Not for You (2) Banks of the Ohio (3) Let Me Be There (4) If You Love Me Let Me Know (5) I Honestly Love You (6) Have You Never Been Mellow (7) Please Mr. Please (8) Something Better to Do (9) Let It Shine (10) Come on Over (11) Don’t Stop Believin’ (12) Every Face Tells a Story (13) Sam (14) Making a Good Thing Better (15) Hopelessly Devoted to You (16) Summer Nights (with John Travolta & Cast) (17) You’re the One That I Want (with John Travolta) (18) A Little More Love (19) Deeper Than the Night (20) Dancin’ ‘Round and ‘Round (21) Totally Hot (22) Fool Country Tracks, Disc 2: (1) Xanadu (with Electric Light Orchestra) (2) Magic (3) Suddenly (with Cliff Richard) (4) Physical (5) Make a Move on Me (6) Landslide (7) Heart Attack (8) Tied Up (9) Twist of Fate (10) Livin’ in Desperate Times (11) Soul Kiss (12) The Best of Me (with David Foster) (13) Can’t We Talk It Over in Bed (14) The Rumour (15) Reach Out for Me (16) Deeper Than a River (17) Grease Megamix (18) I Honestly Love You (with Babyface) Total Running Time: 145:23

Resources and Related Links: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Olivia Newton-John Dave’s Music Database: Acts’ Profile Pages and Best-of Lists First posted 8/9/2022; last updated 8/11/2022.