Xanadu (soundtrack)

Xanadu
Xanadu
Soundtrack album by Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra
Released	June 27, 1980
Recorded	1979–1980
Studio	Musicland Studios (Munich, Germany); David J. Holman Studio (Los Angeles, California);
Genre	Pop rock; disco;
Length	41:34
Label	MCA (US); Jet (UK);
Producer	John Farrar; Jeff Lynne;
Olivia Newton-John chronology
Electric Light Orchestra chronology
Singles from Xanadu
	"Magic"; Released: 23 May 1980; "I'm Alive"; Released: 24 May 1980 (UK); May 1980 (US); "Xanadu"; Released: 6 June 1980 (UK); July 1980 (US); "All Over the World"; Released: July 1980 (US); 2 August 1980 (UK); "Suddenly"; Released: 24 October 1980; "Don't Walk Away"; Released: 22 November 1980;

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[1]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music	^[2]
MusicHound	1.5/5^[3]
Smash Hits	6/10^[4]

Xanadu is the soundtrack of 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 entitled 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 going double platinum in the US and Canada. The hit singles "Magic" and "Xanadu", peaked at number one in the United States and United Kingdom, respectively. Both singles also went to number one in the Netherlands and Italy, respectively. It was the 5th most popular US soundtrack in 1981.^[7]

Background[]

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.

Track listing[]

All tracks on Side One written by John Farrar.

Side One
No.	Title	Performer	Length
1.	"Magic"	Olivia Newton-John	4:31
2.	"Suddenly"	Olivia Newton-John with Cliff Richard	4:02
3.	"Dancin'"	Olivia Newton-John with the Tubes	5:17
4.	"Suspended in Time"	Olivia Newton-John	3:55
5.	"Whenever You're Away From Me"	Olivia Newton-John with Gene Kelly	4:22

All tracks on Side Two written by Jeff Lynne.

Side Two
No.	Title	Performer(s)	Length
6.	"I'm Alive"	Electric Light Orchestra	3:46
7.	"The Fall"	Electric Light Orchestra	3:34
8.	"Don't Walk Away"	Electric Light Orchestra	4:48
9.	"All Over the World"	Electric Light Orchestra	4:04
10.	"Xanadu"	Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra	3:28
Total length:			41:34

Charts[]

Weekly charts[]

Chart (1980)	Peak position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)^[8]	1
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)^[9]	1
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)^[10]	4
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)^[11]	1
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)^[12]	1
Italian Albums Chart^[13]	10
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)^[14]	8
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)^[15]	1
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)^[16]	1
UK Albums (OCC)^[17]	2
US Billboard 200^[18]	4
US CashBox Top 100 Albums^[19]	1
US Record World Albums^[20]	1

Year-end charts[]

Chart (1980)	Position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[21]	12
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)^[22]	6
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)^[23]	23
Italian Albums Chart^[13]	29

Certifications and sales[]


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)^[24]	Platinum	70,000^{^}
Canada (Music Canada)^[25]	2× Platinum	200,000^{^}
Germany (BVMI)^[26]	Gold	250,000^{^}
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)^[27]	Platinum	20,000^*
Italy	—	100,000^[28]
Japan	—	312,150^[29]
New Zealand (RMNZ)^[30]	Platinum	15,000^{^}
United Kingdom (BPI)^[31]	Gold	100,000^{^}
United States (RIAA)^[32]	2× Platinum	2,000,000^{^}
^* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Singles[]

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released
Title	Year	Peak chart positions
Title	Year	AUS	AUT ^[9]	CAN	NL	GER	IRL	NZ	SWE	UK	US
"I'm Alive" (performed by the Electric Light Orchestra)	1980	27	—	7	38	16	10	32	—	20	16^[a]
"Magic" (performed by Olivia Newton-John)		4	20	1	13	36	—	4	12	32	1
"Xanadu" (performed by Olivia Newton-John and the Electric Light Orchestra)		2	1	6	1	1	1	8	3	1	8
"All Over the World" (performed by the Electric Light Orchestra)		78	—	3	10	28	12	—	—	11	13
"Suddenly" (performed by Olivia Newton-John and Cliff Richard)		37	—	60	—	—	6	30	—	15	20
"Don't Walk Away" (performed by the Electric Light Orchestra)		—	—	—	—	52	7	—	—	21	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

Electric Light Orchestra personnel[]

Jeff Lynne – lead vocals (except on "Xanadu"), backing vocals, electric guitars, acoustic guitars, keyboards, synthesizers
Bev Bevan – drums, percussion, tympani
Richard Tandy – pianos, synthesizers, keyboards
Kelly Groucutt – bass guitar, backing vocals

Additional personnel

Olivia Newton-John – lead vocals on "Xanadu"
James Newton-Howard - synthesizers on "Xanadu"
Strings by Louis Clark
Mack – engineer

Olivia Newton-John personnel[]

Olivia Newton-John – lead vocals, backing vocals
John Farrar – electric guitars, synthesizers, backing vocals
David Hungate – bass guitar on "Magic" and "Suspended in Time"
David McDaniel – bass guitar on "Suddenly"
Ed Greene – drums, percussion (except on "Magic")
Carlos Vega – drums, percussion on "Magic"
Jai Winding – electric piano on "Suddenly"
Michael Boddicker – vocoder on "Suddenly"

Additional personnel

Cliff Richard – co-lead vocals on "Suddenly"
Fee Waybill – co-lead vocals on "Dancin'"
Roger Steen – guitars on "Dancin'"
Bill Spooner – guitars on "Dancin'"
Michael Cotten – synthesizer on "Dancin'"
Gene Kelly – co-lead vocals on "Whenever You're Away from Me"
Lou Halmy – whistling on "Whenever You're Away from Me"
Strings arranged and conducted by Richard Hewson
David J. Holman – engineer and mixer
Recorded and mixed at David J. Holman Studio in Laurel Canyon

Notes[]

^ Single awarded gold record in the US from the RIAA

References[]

^ Xanadu at AllMusic
^ Larkin, Colin (ed.) (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th edn). London: Omnibus Press. p. 915. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
^ 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.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
^ Starr, Red (7–20 August 1980). "Albums". Smash Hits. p. 28.
^ "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
^ Ewbank, Tim. Olivia: The Biography of Olivia Newton-John Hachette UK, 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
^ Casey Kasem's American Top 40 - The Top 100 of 1981 from 26 December 1981
^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "Austriancharts.at – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0254". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "Hit Parade Italia - Gli album più venduti del 1980" (in Italian). hitparadeitalia.it. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
^ "Charts.nz – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
^ "Swedishcharts.com – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
^ "Original Soundtrack | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
^ "Electric Light Orchestra Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
^ "CashBox Top 100 Albums" (PDF). CashBox. Vol. XLII #23. United States. 18 October 1980. p. 50. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
^ "Record World Albums" (PDF). Record World. United States. 27 September 1980. p. 32. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
^ 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.
^ "Jahreshitparade Alben 1980" (in German). Austrian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1980" (in Dutch). MegaCharts Website. Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
^ "Magic Moment". Billboard. 27 September 1980. p. 56. Retrieved 13 May 2020 – via Google Books.
^ "Canadian album certifications – Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Music Canada.
^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Elec.Light Orchestra und O. Newton-John; 'Xanadu')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
^ "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1981". IFPI Hong Kong.
^ Caroli, Daniele (13 June 1981). "International - CBS-Dischi Distrib Center Bows" (PDF). Billboard. p. 66. Retrieved 11 December 2019 – via American Radio History.
^ Okamoto, Satoshi (2006). Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. p. 349. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
^ "New Zealand album certifications – Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Recorded Music NZ.
^ "British album certifications – Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". British Phonographic Industry.Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Xanadu in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
^ "American album certifications – Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Recording Industry Association of America.

[33] Single awarded gold record in the US from the RIAA

[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.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)

[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.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)

[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] Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.

[AUT-9] Jump up to: ^a ^b "Austriancharts.at – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.

[group=-10] "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0254". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 28 July 2013.

[ac_Netherlands_Soundtrack_/_Electric_Light_Orchestra_&_Olivia_Newton-John-11] "Dutchcharts.nl – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.

[ac_Germany4_Soundtrack_/_Electric_Light_Orchestra_&_Olivia_Newton-John-12] "Offiziellecharts.de – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 8 October 2016.

[Italianchart-13] Jump up to: ^a ^b "Hit Parade Italia - Gli album più venduti del 1980" (in Italian). hitparadeitalia.it. Retrieved 8 October 2016.

[ac_New_Zealand_Soundtrack_/_Electric_Light_Orchestra_&_Olivia_Newton-John-14] "Charts.nz – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.

[ac_Norway_Soundtrack_/_Electric_Light_Orchestra_&_Olivia_Newton-John-15] "Norwegiancharts.com – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.

[ac_Sweden_Soundtrack_/_Electric_Light_Orchestra_&_Olivia_Newton-John-16] "Swedishcharts.com – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.

[ac_UK_Original_Soundtrack-17] "Original Soundtrack | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 21 May 2016.

[ac_Billboard200_Electric_Light_Orchestra-18] "Electric Light Orchestra Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 October 2016.

[19] "CashBox Top 100 Albums" (PDF). CashBox. Vol. XLII #23. United States. 18 October 1980. p. 50. Retrieved 28 December 2020.

[20] "Record World Albums" (PDF). Record World. United States. 27 September 1980. p. 32. Retrieved 28 December 2020.

[21] 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.

[22] "Jahreshitparade Alben 1980" (in German). Austrian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 December 2017.

[23] "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1980" (in Dutch). MegaCharts Website. Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 December 2017.

[24] "Magic Moment". Billboard. 27 September 1980. p. 56. Retrieved 13 May 2020 – via Google Books.

[CanadaOlivia_Newton-JohnXanadualbumCertRef-25] "Canadian album certifications – Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Music Canada.

[GermanyElec.Light_Orchestra_und_O._Newton-JohnXanadualbumCertRef-26] "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Elec.Light Orchestra und O. Newton-John; 'Xanadu')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.

[Hong_KongOlivia_Newton-JohnXanadualbumCertRef-27] "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1981". IFPI Hong Kong.

[28] Caroli, Daniele (13 June 1981). "International - CBS-Dischi Distrib Center Bows" (PDF). Billboard. p. 66. Retrieved 11 December 2019 – via American Radio History.

[29] Okamoto, Satoshi (2006). Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. p. 349. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.

[New_ZealandOlivia_Newton-JohnXanadualbumCertRef-30] "New Zealand album certifications – Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Recorded Music NZ.

[UK-31] "British album certifications – Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". British Phonographic Industry.Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Xanadu in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.

[US_Plat-32] "American album certifications – Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Recording Industry Association of America.

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show v t Electric Light Orchestra
Jeff Lynne Richard Tandy Bev Bevan Roy Wood Bill Hunt Steve Woolam Mike Edwards Wilfred Gibson Hugh McDowell Andy Craig Mike de Albuquerque Colin Walker Mik Kaminski Kelly Groucutt Melvyn Gale Louis Clark Dave Morgan Martin Smith Peggy Baldwin Gregg Bissonette Matt Bissonette Marc Mann Sarah O'Brien Rosie Vela
Studio albums	The Electric Light Orchestra (No Answer) ELO 2 (Electric Light Orchestra II) On the Third Day Eldorado Face the Music A New World Record Out of the Blue Discovery Time Secret Messages Balance of Power Zoom Alone in the Universe From Out of Nowhere
Live albums	The Night the Light Went On in Long Beach Live at Wembley '78 Live at Winterland '76 The BBC Sessions Live at the BBC Electric Light Orchestra Live Wembley or Bust
Extended plays	The ELO EP
Soundtrack	Xanadu
Compilations	Showdown Olé ELO The Light Shines On Three Light Years The Light Shines On Vol 2 ELO's Greatest Hits A Box of Their Best Four Light Years Afterglow ELO's Greatest Hits Vol. 2 The Very Best of the Electric Light Orchestra Strange Magic Light Years Definitive Collection Friends & Relatives Flashback The Ultimate Collection The Essential Electric Light Orchestra All Over the World Ticket to the Moon The Essential Electric Light Orchestra (2 CD Edition) Mr. Blue Sky
Videography	Discovery (1979) Out of the Blue: Live at Wembley (1980) Fusion – Live in London (1990) The Very Best of ELO (1991) Zoom Tour Live (2001) ELO – Total Rock Review (2006) In Performance (2010) Live: The Early Years (2010) Jeff Lynne's ELO: Live in Hyde Park (2015) Wembley or Bust (2017)
Tours	Jeff Lynne's ELO Tour 2019
Related articles	Discography Song list Don Arden Reinhold Mack Jet Records The Move Wizzard ELO Part II The Orchestra List of songs produced by Jeff Lynne Jeff Lynne and the Beatles Violinski Earthrise L.E.O.
Category

show v t Olivia Newton-John
Albums Singles Videography Tours Awards and honours
Studio albums	If Not for You Olivia Let Me Be There Long Live Love If You Love Me, Let Me Know Have You Never Been Mellow Clearly Love Come On Over Don't Stop Believin' Making a Good Thing Better Totally Hot Physical Soul Kiss The Rumour Warm and Tender Gaia: One Woman's Journey Back with a Heart 2 Indigo: Women of Song Stronger Than Before Grace and Gratitude Christmas Wish A Celebration in Song This Christmas Liv On Friends for Christmas
Compilations	Greatest Hits Greatest Hits Vol. 2 Back to Basics: The Essential Collection 1971–1992 The Definitive Collection Magic Gold 40/40
Live albums	Love Performance Highlights from The Main Event One Woman's Live Journey Olivia's Live Hits Two Strong Hearts Live
Soundtracks	Xanadu Two of a Kind A Few Best Men
EPs	Hotel Sessions
Video releases	Olivia Physical Olivia in Concert Twist of Fate Soul Kiss Olivia Down Under The Main Event Video Gold Live at the Sydney Opera House
Singles	"Till You Say You'll Be Mine" "If Not for You" "Banks of the Ohio" "What Is Life" "Just a Little Too Much" "Take Me Home, Country Roads" "Let Me Be There" "Long Live Love" "I Honestly Love You" "If You Love Me, Let Me Know" "Have You Never Been Mellow" "Please Mr. Please" "Something Better to Do" "Let It Shine" "Come on Over" "Jolene" "Don't Stop Believin'" "Every Face Tells a Story" "Sam" "You're the One That I Want" "Summer Nights" "Hopelessly Devoted to You" "A Little More Love" "Deeper Than the Night" "Rest Your Love on Me" "Magic" "Xanadu" "Suddenly" "Physical" "Make a Move on Me" "Landslide" "Heart Attack" "Tied Up" "Twist of Fate" "Soul Kiss" "The Rumour" "When You Wish upon a Star" "The Grease Megamix" "Mickey (Chew Fu Fix)"
Featured singles	"I Can't Help It" "You Have to Believe"
Concert tours	Physical Tour One Woman's Journey Tour Heartstrings World Tour A Summer Night with ONJ Summer Nights Two Strong Hearts Live
Related articles	Toomorrow (soundtrack) Grease (soundtrack) Olivia Newton-John: Hopelessly Devoted to You Max Born Pat Carrol John Farrar Tottie Goldsmith Chloe Rose Lattanzi (daughter) Matt Lattanzi (first husband) Emerson Newton-John (nephew)
Category