The world has lost a human sunbeam, with Olivia Newton-John dying at the age of 73. While her philanthropic work and cancer research fundraising through the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre is her greatest legacy, she also leaves behind an abundant catalogue of music from a singing career that spanned six decades.
Trying to distil Newton-John’s vast and varied archive into a listicle is like trying to avoid the Grease Megamix at every wedding, Christmas party and birthday celebration you’ve ever attended. Grease was a defining moment of Newton-John’s career; for many, she will for ever be remembered for her good-girl-gone-bad transformation as Sandy. But like Sandy, Newton-John was constantly reinventing herself and each of her albums shows insight into different stages of her life. This is a top 10 of Newton-John’s greatest (and some perhaps underappreciated) songs that are not from Grease.
10. Not Gonna Give Into It
As Newton-John’s husband John Easterling wrote in his tribute to his wife, music had always been a healing force for her in difficult times. Written by Newton-John after her initial breast cancer diagnosis in 1992, this song was released on her deeply personal album Gaia. Its uptempo mantra became a mainstay of her concert set lists and an anthem for other cancer survivors.
9. Physical
A song so sexy Tina Turner declined to record it, Physical blasted off any last vestiges of Newton-John’s wholesome image that remained from her bouncy 1974 Eurovision entry Long Live Love and heralded a new era of reinvention. There’s little left to interpretation as she pouts, “There’s nothing left to talk about unless it’s horizontally”. The song’s famous music video was in fact a panicked last-minute suggestion by Newton-John to her manager, Roger Davies, as an antidote to soften the suggestive subtext. Newton-John later remarked in her 2018 autobiography Don’t Stop Believin’ that, “compared to what’s on the radio today, it sounds like a lullaby”.
8. I Need Love
Listen, this is a bit of a deep cut for casual fans of Newton-John and I doubt this will make it on to any other top 10 lists circulating, but it’s such an underrated single and rightly deserves a revival or at least another listen. Released as one of four new songs on 1992 compilation album Back to Basics: The Essential Collection 1971–1992, it draws strong parallels to Madonna’s Erotica period: sultry, come-hither vocals, pared-back instrumentation and sleek production from the “godfather of electronic music”, Giorgio Moroder. A comeback tour was planned; however, shortly after the release, Newton-John was diagnosed with cancer and all publicity was cancelled. I can’t help but wonder what could have been.
7. Making a Good Thing Better
A relic of the 1970s from the album of the same name, this ballad with its Moog-y intro and lush orchestral arrangements is a guilty pleasure of mine. It’s peak wholesome, a jolt of sunshine.
6. I Honestly Love You
The true genius of this song, written by Peter Allen and Jeff Barry, is that it feels so intimate, as though Newton-John is singing it just to you. It’s raw, it’s tender, it’s vulnerable and is delivered with a plaintive caress. An enduring classic by which she will be remembered.
5. Don’t Stop Believin’
Another chart topper from 1976 that went on to characterise Newton-John’s optimism and approach to life. Don’t Stop Believin’ has the same ethereal quality as I Honestly Love You, but there’s also a melancholy, reminiscent of Karen Carpenter, which makes this song even more enchanting.
4. Soul Kiss
A unique delicacy in Newton-John’s back catalogue, Soul Kiss was the titular single from her 1985 album. What Physical conveyed with a wink and a nod, Soul Kiss took to the extreme with an almost carnal passion: “Soul kiss / Some nights you get me wondering / Is this the way / This is a hunger / Well, I get down on my knees (and beg you, baby)”.
The cold, industrial synths are a sublime contrast to her silky, warm vocals. The album art featured a famously provocative photoshoot by Helmut Newton, in yet another reinvention of Newton-John’s image. However, it was a tough sell commercially and, with Newton-John pregnant at the time, it ultimately fell victim to a lack of publicity. The whole album is still a firm favourite of mine.
3. A Little More Love
Pure pop perfection. It was always a delight to hear Newton-John perform this one live and still hit all those high, high notes. I’m thrilled this one is topping the charts again.
2. Have You Never Been Mellow
A No 1 hit in the US, Have You Never Been Mellow exquisitely showcases the clarity of Newton-John’s voice. John Farrar, who worked with the singer extensively throughout her career, puts his signature touch on the production with layered harmonies that reverberate through every fibre in your body. When this came on the radio in the supermarket the other day, I immediately dissolved into a puddle of tears.
1. Xanadu
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably impatiently jumped to the end of the list to gauge what I believe defines Newton-John’s greatest song and are now scoffing at my critical judgment. However, pleasure comes in all flavours and mine is the neon confection that is Xanadu. I find this song is best consumed directly from the film, so you can also enjoy the frenzied rhythm of roller skate clacking, and Gene Kelly clapping and chanting, before Newton-John’s vocals descend like the heavenly muse she portrays in the film.
