The Retrospectator: Olivia Newton-John

Oh, the icons we've loved. Here, DAME pays homage to Sandra Dee.

By Daiana Feuer
Published: Dec 20, 2007

In the Crayola box of feminine icons, Olivia Newton-John is Orchid. A light purple that makes phrases like "Life’s a bitch" (Sordid Lives, 2000) as graceful and soothing as "Have you never been mellow," or "Tell me about it, stud.”

In fact, recall the video for 1982’s “Carried Away,” in which Olivia, clad in Orchid leggings and sweater, rolls around on the floor in a circular mirrored room, crooning Barry Gibb lyrics until wrapping herself up in a white shag carpet as the camera recedes into darkness.
Olivia Carried Away
She likes chocolate with caramel in the center, makeup, and had to be taught how to dance when she was 20. If you see Olivia in Funny Things Happen Down Under (1965, age 17), you’ll notice she’s about as stiff as a celery stalk with a butterfly blooming in her mouth. In the late '60s Olivia moved to England and worked the club circuit with friend Pat Carroll (“Tomorrow May Be Better,” 1968), who taught Olivia to dance and would later marry Olivia’s long-time producer John Farrar.

Let’s pause here. Olivia Newton-John, of “Physical” grammy fame, of Xanadu, and Grease, didn’t know how to dance until she was almost 20. That’s cute.

If the world were a better place, videos of Olivia and Andy Gibb, performing “I Can’t Help It” or “Rest Your Love On Me,” would be projected in dark alleys at all times, radiating serenity into the atmosphere. Is that a bit much? Is it too much to believe that Olivia’s 1980 Midnight Special TV performance of “Magic” contains enough dance moves to outfit your entire closet?

When most people think of Olivia Newton-John, they recall “Physical” or Grease (for which Olivia is ranked #89 on Premiere magazine's "100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time"). But in the ‘70s, Newton-John filled albums with country tunes and covers of some of the best-known songs in music history, in addition, of course, to ONJ originals. In the summer of 1971, 23-year-old Newton-John had her first U.S. hit with a lucid folk rendition of Bob Dylan's "If Not For You.” It was the title track from her debut.

On that record, she also covered “Take Me Home Country Roads” by John Denver and “Angel of the Morning” by Chip Taylor. An Aussie sheila singing country, who would have thought it'd be magic? Hits like "God Only Knows" by the Beach Boys, “Me and Bobby McGee" written by Kris Kristofferson (made notorious by Janis Joplin) and "Ring of Fire," the (June Carter and) Johnny Cash song, are also part of her repertoire. “Air That I Breathe" was a Hollies song (or even before that, Albert Hammond), and “Gimme Some Lovin'” by the Spencer Davis Group (also recorded by Ike and Tina). In addition to covers she’s actually recorded, Olivia has always performed classic songs live, from Buddy Holly to Etta James.
olivia
Her cover of “Jolene” by Dolly Parton caused quite a stir in the country world. Some were hard-pressed to accept Olivia, the import, snagging country awards (Grammy for “Let Me Be There,” 1973, among others) with a style that wasn’t all that country—just a little bit. Mix in a ballad-tempered tenderness; she made heartbreak worth longing for. When she tossed stationery into Frenchie’s pool in Grease (1978), singing “Hopelessly Devoted” with her unique blend of a clear, light voice and delicate sensitivity, how could you not aspire to get your heart stomped on by the dreamiest greaser alive, just to reach that depth of sweet emotion. Even if it meant wearing leather pants and smoking cigarettes—another distinctly poignant moment in cinematic culture and the crafting of feminine iconography through song and dance, to be put right next to Marilyn Monroe’s Gentleman Prefer Blondes (1953), where we learned how amazing it could be to believe “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend.”

Like Marilyn did for Madonna, Olivia has inspired countless imitations in a career and legacy spanning more than four decades. Just this year, an entire album consisting solely of “Physical” covers was released by WeSC, Broadway’s got its “unique” homage to Xanadu, and just walk by a karaoke bar or a bar mitzvah on a Saturday night, you are bound to hear ONJ in one form or another.

Ultimately, whether in terms of song or style, there is only one conclusion to the question "Why do we love Olivia Newton-John?" Because: she is pretty.

Daiana Feuer dressed up as Olivia in Xanadu and beat up a giant cow piñata for her birthday. Her most recent birthday. Daiana writes about music for URB Magazine, but they’d probably revoke her cool card if they found out about this. Good thing it’s not on the internet. Or, wait…

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