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Xanadu (soundtrack)

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Xanadu
Soundtrack album by
Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra
ReleasedJune 27, 1980
Studio
Genre
Length41:34
LabelMCA (US & Canada)
Jet (international)
Producer
Olivia Newton-John chronology
Totally Hot
(1978) 		Xanadu
(1980) 		Love Performance
(1981)
Electric Light Orchestra chronology
A Box of Their Best
(1980) 		Xanadu
(1980) 		Four Light Years
(1980)
Singles from Xanadu
  1. "Magic"
    Released: May 1980
  2. "I'm Alive"
    Released: May 1980
  3. "Xanadu"
    Released: June 1980
  4. "All Over the World"
    Released: July 1980
  5. "Suddenly"
    Released: October 1980
  6. "Don't Walk Away"
    Released: November 1980
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music[2]
MusicHound1.5/5[3]
Smash Hits6/10[4]

Xanadu is the soundtrack to the 1980 musical film of the same name, featuring the Australian singer Olivia Newton-John and the British group Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). It was released in June 1980 on MCA Records in the United States and July 1980 by Jet Records in the United Kingdom.[5] The original LP release featured on side one the songs of Newton-John, and on side two the songs of ELO. In 2008 the soundtrack album was digitally remastered as a bonus CD as part of the film's DVD release titled Xanadu: Magical Musical Edition.

Although the film was a critical and commercial disappointment,[6] the soundtrack was a worldwide success and received positive reviews from music critics, earning double platinum certifications in the United States and Canada. The singles "Magic" and "Xanadu" reached number one in the United States and United Kingdom, respectively. "Magic" became Olivia's ninth Number One single in The Netherlands, while "Xanadu" topped the chart in Italy. All in all, the album was the fifth most popular US soundtrack of 1981.[7]

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]

In their review, Billboard praised the album. "Newton-John's first soundtrack since the multi-platinum Grease has her romping through a variety of cuts, ranging from the bewitching ballad "Magic" to the rock-inflected title cut, written by Jeff Lynne. Newton-John duets on three of her numbers - ballads with her costar Gene Kelly and onetime mentor Cliff Richard and a hot rock number with the Tubes. The other side of the soundtrack is dominated by four ELO tracks, including the hot single "I'm Alive." Since Newton -John and ELO are both coming off top 10 albums -"Totally Hot" and "Discovery" - it's hard to see how this single-disk package can miss."[9]

Cashbox stated that "while ELO and Olivia Newton-John supply most of the musical fireworks on this beautifully produced LP, winning performances are also turned in by The Tubes, Cliff Richard and artist/producer John Farrar. ELO's rock dancer "I'm Alive" is already headed toward the Top Ten, and John's "Magic" should follow suit. The album and the film should cross promote each other beautifully." [10]

Allmusic noted that "this soundtrack is fluff stuff to be sure, but some pearls float amongst the mire. Lead-off "Magic" remains a fine single. "Suddenly," a duet ONJ ekes out with British luminary Cliff Richard, seems better than most love themes. The sudden appearance of the Tubes almost saves the doomed swing/rock hybrid "Dancin," but the two styles should never meet. The second half glows from the Electric Light Orchestra, soaring at its commercial height, escaping this crippling fairy tale fairly untarnished with three more hit bits: "I'm Alive," "All Over the World," and the Olivia Neutron Bomb showcase title track. "Don't Walk Away" and "The Fall" stand as two of Jeff Lynne's finest, thus the flip nukes the front which should stay stuck to the theater floor. Listening to this soundtrack may beat watching the actual film, but know that if you didn't dig Xanadu when it came out, the platter gains nothing through time."[11]

Background

[edit]

The soundtrack featured songs on side one by the film's star, Olivia Newton-John, written by her long-time producer, John Farrar. The songs on side two were written and performed by ELO; the title track which closed side two featured Newton-John as lead vocalist.

The Newton-John side also featured Cliff Richard, the Tubes and Gene Kelly.

At the time of the album's release, Olivia Newton-John was signed to MCA Records, while ELO were signed to Jet Records. A compromise was worked out between the two companies in that the album was released on MCA in the US and Canada, and on Jet in the rest of the world. Not every song from the soundtrack was included on the album, with the Newton-John solo, "You Made Me Love You" released only on the B-side of the duet "Suddenly", "Fool Country" released as the b-side of "Magic", and ELO's "Drum Dreams" released on the b-side of both "I'm Alive" and "All Over The World".

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks on Side One written by John Farrar.

Side One
No.TitlePerformerLength
1."Magic"Olivia Newton-John4:31
2."Suddenly"Olivia Newton-John with Cliff Richard4:02
3."Dancin'"Olivia Newton-John with the Tubes5:17
4."Suspended in Time"Olivia Newton-John3:55
5."Whenever You're Away from Me"Olivia Newton-John with Gene Kelly4:22

All tracks on Side Two written by Jeff Lynne.

Side Two
No.TitlePerformer(s)Length
6."I'm Alive"Electric Light Orchestra3:46
7."The Fall"Electric Light Orchestra3:34
8."Don't Walk Away"Electric Light Orchestra4:48
9."All Over the World"Electric Light Orchestra4:04
10."Xanadu"Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra3:28
Total length:41:34

Personnel

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Side One: Olivia Newton-John

[edit]

Side Two: Electric Light Orchestra

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Certifications and sales for Xanadu
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[38] Platinum 50,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[39] 2× Platinum 200,000^
France — 100,000[40]
Germany (BVMI)[41] Gold 250,000^
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[42] Platinum 20,000*
Italy — 100,000[43]
Japan — 312,150[44]
New Zealand (RMNZ)[45] Platinum 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[46] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[47] 2× Platinum 2,000,000^
Summaries
Worldwide — 5,000,000[48]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Xanadu at AllMusic
  2. ^ Larkin, Colin, ed. (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th edn). London: Omnibus Press. p. 915. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
  3. ^ Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel, eds. (1999). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink Press. p. 813. ISBN 1-57859-061-2.
  4. ^ Starr, Red (7–20 August 1980). "Albums". Smash Hits. p. 28.
  5. ^ "Jeff Lynne Song Database - Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra - Xanadu song analysis". www.jefflynnesongs.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018. - the U.S. MCA release was MCA 6100, and the U.K. Jet release was JET LX 526
  6. ^ Ewbank, Tim. Olivia: The Biography of Olivia Newton-John Hachette UK, 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  7. ^ Casey Kasem's American Top 40 - The Top 100 of 1981 from 26 December 1981
  8. ^ Stone, Doug. Xanadu at AllMusic. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Top Album Picks" (PDF). Billboard. No. 28 June 1980. p. 86. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  10. ^ "Album Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. No. 28 June 1980. p. 13. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Xanadu [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] - ... | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  12. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  13. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  14. ^ a b "Billboard Magazine, Hits of the World, 1980". Billboard. 6 September 1980. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  15. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0254a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  17. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  18. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  19. ^ Racca, Guido (2019). M&D Borsa Album 1964–2019 (in Italian). Amazon Digital Services LLC - Kdp Print Us. ISBN 9781094705002.
  20. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970-2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  21. ^ "Charts.nz – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  22. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  23. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  24. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  25. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  26. ^ "Electric Light Orchestra Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  27. ^ "Record World Albums" (PDF). Record World. Vol. 37, no. 1731. 27 September 1980. p. 32. ISSN 0034-1622 – via World Radio History.
  28. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. XLII, no. 23. 18 October 1980. p. 50. ISSN 0008-7289 – via World Radio History.
  29. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 432. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  30. ^ "Jahreshitparade Alben 1980". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  31. ^ "Top 100 Albums". RPM. Vol. 34, no. 6. 20 December 1980. ISSN 0315-5994 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  32. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1980" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  33. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 1980" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  34. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1980". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  35. ^ "Chart File – Top 100 Albums 1980" (PDF). Record Mirror. 4 April 1981. p. 38. ISSN 0144-5804 – via World Radio History.
  36. ^ "1980 Talent in Action – Soundtracks". Billboard. Vol. 92, no. 51. 20 December 1980. p. TIA-22. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
  37. ^ "Billboard's 1981 Year-End Charts – Soundtracks". Billboard. Vol. 93, no. 51. 26 December 1981. p. YE-21. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
  38. ^ "Magic Moment". Billboard. 27 September 1980. p. 56. Retrieved 13 May 2020 – via Google Books.
  39. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Music Canada.
  40. ^ Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Fabrice Ferment (ed.). "TOP – 1980". 40 ans de tubes: 1960–2000: les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles (in French). OCLC 469523661. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2022 – via Top-France.fr.
  41. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Elec.Light Orchestra und O. Newton-John; 'Xanadu')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  42. ^ "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1981". IFPI Hong Kong.
  43. ^ Caroli, Daniele (13 June 1981). "International - CBS-Dischi Distrib Center Bows" (PDF). Billboard. p. 66. Retrieved 11 December 2019 – via American Radio History.
  44. ^ Okamoto, Satoshi (2006). Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. p. 349. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  45. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Recorded Music NZ.[dead link]
  46. ^ "British album certifications – Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". British Phonographic Industry.
  47. ^ "American album certifications – Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Recording Industry Association of America.
  48. ^ Carlin, Roger (4 May 2012). "Signature revives a sendup of the 1980 movie musical 'Xanadu'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
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