Episode 40: Honestly Loving Olivia Newton-John
PLAY LIST
Help Me Make it Through the Night (1971)
Let Me Be There (1973)
I Honestly Love You (1975)
Hopelessly Devoted to You (1978)
Magic (1980)
Suddenly with Cliff Richard (1980)
Physical (1981)
SHOW NOTES
In the days after the death of Olivia Newton-John (even writing that she died is hard for the brain to accept), her broad reach was evident. Tributes poured in from all corners of the entertainment world. Even at the music festival for the late Taylor Hawkins in September, organized by his friend and Foo Fighters bandmate, Dave Grohl, there Livvy was, her smiling face on the drum kit. is impossible to imagine pop culture of the 1970s and 1980s without Olivia Newton-John. Make no mistake, expressing one’s love for Olivia Newton-John in the era that she was a pop god was not cool. It was a bit like saying you liked The Carpenters. Of course, you probably did but could you admit it?
That all changed, of course, when Olivia took a page from the fictional character that she brought to life, Sandy Olsson, in “Grease.” With the twist of a red pump on a cigarette butt and a growl of “Tell me about it, Stud,” she threw off her countryish-pop/soft rock persona. She burst into the 80s as a woman not afraid to sing about sex and to have some fun while she did it. From the ethereal roller disco muse in “Xanadu” to the sexy aerobics instructor in the ubiquitous “Physical,” Olivia shaped the early 80s just as she did throughout the 70s. Can you imagine either decade without her? Nope. Me, either.
SOURCES
Barton, Geoff. "Olivia Newton-John: Olivia wants it to happen". Sounds (1975). Olivia Newton-John. Rock's Backpages. Accessed October 1, 2022. http://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/olivia-newton-john-olivia-wants-it-to-happen.
Coon, Caroline. "Suzi Quatro & Olivia Newton-John: Dolly Mixture". Melody Maker (1974). Olivia Newton-John, Suzi Quatro. Rock's Backpages. Accessed October 1, 2022. http://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/suzi-quatro--olivia-newton-john-dolly-mixture.
Garfield, Kim. “A Song Written About Love Brings Legitimacy.” Asbury Park Press, (Asbury Park, New Jersey.) March 31, 1975.
Hull, Robot A.. "Olivia Newton John: Have You Never Been Mellow (MCA)". Creem (1975). Olivia Newton-John. Rock's Backpages. Accessed October 1, 2022. http://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/olivia-newton-john-ihave-you-never-been-mellow-imca.
Lowery, Raymond. “Pretty is as Pretty Does.” The Observer. (Raleigh, North Carolina.) December 17, 1971.
Murphy, Chris. "Olivia Newton-John Was the Only One We'd Want to Play Sandy in 'Grease'." Vanity Fair. August 08, 2022. https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/08/olivia-newton-john-was-the-only-one-wed-want-to-play-sandy-in-grease.
Okeowo, Alexis. "The Power of "Grease"." The New Yorker. February 02, 2016. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-power-of-grease.
“Olivia Newton-John: I’m Not Ready for Marriage.” San Antonio Express. May 18, 1975.
Phinney, Kevin. “Milkshakes and Marshmallows.” The Austin-American Statesman. (Austin, TX.) September 3, 1982.
Radel, Cliff. “If It Smells, It Must Be Grease.” Cincinnati Enquirer. June 17, 1978
Shaw, Greg. "Olivia Newton-John: Let Me Be There". Phonograph Record (1974). Olivia Newton-John. Rock's Backpages. Accessed October 1, 2022. http://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/olivia-newton-john-let-me-be-there.
Sheffield, Rob. "Farewell, Olivia Newton-John: Why We Honestly Loved Her." Rolling Stone. August 09, 2022. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/olivia-newton-john-rob-sheffield-1394426.
Today Show. "'Grease' Casting Director Shares the Story of Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta's 1st Screen Test." TODAY.com. August 09, 2022. https://www.today.com/popculture/movies/grease-casting-director-shares-story-olivia-newton-john-john-travoltas-rcna42248.
Walthall, Catherine. "The Surprising Story Behind "Hopelessly Devoted to You" by Olivia Newton-John." American Songwriter. August 17, 2022. https://americansongwriter.com/meaning-story-hopelessly-devoted-to-you-olivia-newton-john-song-lyrics/.
Wikane, Christian John, Christian John Wikane, and Olivia Newton-John. "Olivia Newton-John's 'Physical' Phenomenon Revisited, Page 2." PopMatters. August 09, 2022. https://www.popmatters.com/olivia-newton-john-physical/2.
Zink, Jack. “Olivia Newton-John Striking on State.” Fort Lauderdale News. March 31, 1975.