REACTION TO Olivia Newton John - Xanadu 

What red-blooded young male from the 70s and first half of the 80s wasn't in love with Olivia? Her voice was incredibly feminine, sensual and angelic all in one. She was the complete package of beauty in voice, looks, and life! The world is a colder place with out her in it. Her passing makes me feel sad and old. RIP Olivia.

The genius of Jeff Lynne and the Angelic vocals of Olivia 💫✨⚡️🌈

That sound you heard? That was the genius of ELO

The background sound you're hearing is probably an actual string instrument. Electric Light Orchestra (mostly Jeff Lynne, pronounced like Lynn) mixed synthesizers and actual orchestra music together. They're incredible. And this is from the movie Xanadu, which is a musical. I bought the album when it came out and I'm pretty sure I wore it out. My choir teacher borrowed the record from me and I was hoping our choir was going to do some of the songs, but we never did unfortunately. The Tubes has a song with Olivia on it as well (Dancin'), mixing the 1940s big band sound together with late 70s rock. It's pretty cool how they come together in the end.

Saw this film in the theater back in 1980. It was pretty cheesy then, it’s pretty cheesy now but damn it, just the right kind of fun cheesy. She really was a great talent

I was obsessed with Xanadu and ONJ as a kid. My parents got me the album on a whim and I played it to death. When my sister had me listen to Rush's Moving Pictures, I finally grew out of it! RIP Olivia!

I was 11 or 12 when “Xanadu” was released - that soundtrack was a BANGER 🧨

Great reaction! I love the music from Xanadu with Olivia and ELO. Olivia and Karen Carpenter are the top two female vocalists in my opinion. RIP beautiful Olivia, and Karen.

My heart is broken! Olivia is and always will be my all-time favorite performer! I've been a fan for 50 years and have her music on vinyl, cassette, CDs and have been blessed to meet her in person twice. She was honestly one of the most genuine, kindest woman in show business. She had been on a rough journey, battling cancer three times, but she was a fighter..or as she called it..a thriver. You could pick any song in her vast catalog of music to react to and you would probably enjoy them all. I would recommend A Little More Love, Totally Hot, Soul Kiss, Toughen Up and Twist of Fate. She has a relatively new ep released in 2014, Hotel Sessions. She was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, in 2020.

I've done my share of lip-syncing in a hairbrush in front of a mirror to Olivia Newton-John's music in my tweens. I've never wept over a celebrity until she passed away. She was my idol. What an amazing talent, beauty, and most of all, human being.

An underrated song now getting the recognition it deserves. Her legacy lives forever, and she's so much more than the Grease girl! I'm 53 and grew up with her music. Had a big crush on her and always will!

I secretly went to the theater to see Xanadu and loved it.

Very nice reaction. Olivia was literally radiant in this film that went on to become something of a cult classic. With Olivia's passing this week, our country (Australia) has been in mourning, ONJ really touched that many of our hearts over her 50+ year career with over 100 million albums sold. Xanadu actually spent most of this past week at #1 here on our streaming charts, at one stage, 6 of the top 10 songs were hers... Gone but never forgotten. Love and Light forever ONJ

Yes we want to hear more of Olivia Newton John.

Olivia was very special to me growing up too. My cousin and I would have picnics in the living room and just play her records on rainy days. She started off in America as a country singer before making it bigger as a disco artist in the 70s and 80s. Her songs "I Honestly Love You" and "Please Mister Please" were very much like "Hopelessly Devoted to You" in Grease which is why I think she got the role. Olivia and John Travolta did make another movie called "Twist of Fate" and the title track is one of my favorite underrated songs of the 80s. I always thought she sounded like an Angel and now she will lead the choir.

Such sad news about Olivia's passing. She was only 73 & bravely fought cancer for nearly 3 decades. Olivia had so many great songs such as "I Honestly Love You", "If Not for You", "Let Me Be There", "If You Love Me (Let Me Know)", "Have You Never Been Mellow", "Magic", "Hopelessly Devoted To You" etc. She starred with John Travolta in the movie "Grease" in 1978 & they had some great songs together "You're the One That I Want" & "Summer Nights".

I was lucky to be around at the beginning of Olivia's rise to stardom and she will forever hold a special place in my heart ❤

Fun Fact: ELO is her backing band here. They hold the Billboard record for most hits without having a #1 song.

For those of us who are true fans of Olivia, she is known for way more than Grease. She did 9 albums, had 10 #1 hits on the Adult Contemporary charts with cross-over appeal in Country and Pop long before the movie Grease ever hit the screens. It does her a disservice to say she is best known for the movie Grease. I fell in love with her in the early 70's watching on the Midnight Special doing songs like "Have You Never Been Mellow" and "If You Love Me Let Me Know". Grease, and her success into the 80's and beyond, only solidified her iconic status.

This is a FIRE performance! It was on the charts forever. So glad to hear that a new generation can appreciate the massive talent that she was, no auto-tune just natural talent! I had the great pleasure of meeting her at a cocktail party 11 years ago. So lovely, so beautiful and so down to earth! RIP to this angel among us, for way too brief a time!!! She sold 100 million albums!

she's stunning in this! ♥

... another great track from the Xanadu soundtrack is "Magic", which Billboard Magazine ranked as the third most popular single of 1980. A great video to watch is her performing the song on "The Midnight Special."

'She's got a little bit of range there'...lol!A huge range actually!Some could easily clear out this if listen to her 1978 track 'Please don't keep me waiting' from her 'Totally hot' album.I still remember first time i heard 'XANADU' as a kid.I got astonished and was sure it would be a smash hit and i was a fan of both Olivia and ELO.The whole album was just fantastic and also a big seller.Olivia was the most succesful female singer and music icon of the whole '70s decade and early '80s.

The guy she is singing to is Andy Gibb who is the youngest of the Gibb brothers (The Bee Gees) who sadly passed away in late 80's... May They Both Rest In Peace ❤️❤️❤️

I was a teenager when this movie and the soundtrack came out!

She has a beautiful high register. Never heard this, thanks for that rec, Jason

This is actually a collaboration with Electric Light Orchestra. Their in my top 5 bands all time. It'll be really entertaining to see you react to them someday. I think you'll enjoy ELO they're one of the best !!!

Xanadu was a movie too -she also did a song called "a little more love" the backround music is Jeff Lynne's ELO - he created "rock orchestra" -she also was in Grease "Hopelessly devoted to you" is a great song

SINCE 1980 ... still my FAVORITE song!!!

Xanadu is a favorite movie of mine and this scene was an absolute replay all the time. You need to see the entire clip of the beginning of this part of the movie.

she was stunning & such a kind & talented woman. She suffered so much. Sadly missed 😢😢

More Olivia please !

Another great tune is her duet with John Denver called 'Fly Away.' It's beautiful.

Loved this movie. Saw it in the theatre. She is one of several sister Muses who helps to bring the inspiration of the young man in the video to fruition. The Dream is a roller skating club.

So this isn't really a music video. This is actually the final scene from the movie XANADU, that Olivia starred in. The movie involves a man who dreams of opening a Night club/Discotech and this final scene is the grand opening of said dance club called Xanadu, hence all of the dancers and performers. NOT a game show. This song is her and ELO which is where you get that very iconic sound of the song that Electric Light Orchestra is known for. Add in Olivia's amazing voice and the song is legendary. Olivia was my first crush when I was a young lad and I was truly heartbroken when I heard of her passing. It is an end of an era and it leaves a huge hole in my childhood. I will miss you forever Sandy! I'm forever Hopelessly Devoted to you!

Not only a great singer, but one of the most beautiful women of the time. I had a huge crush on Olivia when I was a young boy in the 70s.

Yes it's the music video from the film of the same name Xanadu. I loved the film and soundtrack as a 10-yr-old but the soundtrack stands the test of time much better. Still, Olivia is a goddess in the script and on screen. Soundtrack written by the fabulous ELO.

Olivia Newton John was a contemporary of the great Karen Carpenter. They were friends and boy could they sing. Both were angels.

One other song from this movie soundtrack that I love is a harmonically rich love ballad called "Suddenly". I really recommend you reviewing this song. In the movie, Xanadu is the name of a night club that gets magically renovated to its art deco glory, and Olivia plays an angel that falls into this man's life, etc...

For those that are not aware the “Zoot suit” dancers include the one and only “Shabba Do” of the original Pop lockers pre- “Breakin” and “Elictric Bugaloo” God Speed Olivia

Olivia became an international superstar with Grease but before Grease Olivia was a Country Music Superstar since 1971 and won every CMA award that was available. Before her Country Music Career she was very well known in England and Australia as a singer and before that in the 1960's she and her best friend Pat Carroll was a successful duo in England and went by Pat & Olivia. She was destined to become an Iconic Legendary Superstar who kept reinventing herself up to her passing with recording almost every category of music and in several movies, tv specials, and was the first artist to create and release a Video Album in 1981 with Physical. John Farrar who produced and wrote most of Olivia's hit songs married Pat Carroll. Olivia will never be replaced and no one can and never will be able to be compared to her. Olivia is the female version of Elvis. She was so huge in the 1970's - early 1980's. She was really magical.

I'm Alive, a scene from Xanadu.

Olivia was my first crush as well and we lost the best when she passed away. Olivia in my opinion was the best female vocalist. I suggest taking the time to go through her videos on youtube and listening to her wide range of music from her early days of country music to her pop music.

Others have suggested it, but yeah, that melodic run you picked up on is an actual string orchestra, meaning anything from 20 to 40 people playing violins, violas and cellos. Jeff Lynne of ELO had this as a trademark, incorporating strings into rock, and he wrote and produced this song. In fact ELO played on it too. The song is from the soundtrack to the movie Xanadu, which was Olivia's followup to Grease. The movie bombed, but the music was a huge a hit.

and as nice of a person as can be!

An absolute Angel!! Love this film!!

ELO wrote this and its the only song sung by someone not in the band. It is the finale to the film set in the nightclub Xanadu.

Xanadu was a musical movie. Didn't get very good reviews but this song is awesome, written & produced by Jeff Lynne (ELO). Also check out the song "Magic" by Olivia from same movie soundtrack.

Beautiful voice and woman! Definitely was a heart throb for many a young man!

I was born in 1965, so I grew up listening to her all through the 70s and 80s. i don't think I can explain to you someone who wasn't around then just how big a thing Grease was at the time. It was so much more than a movie, it was like a place we lived in for a while. She was the girl singer's girl singer. We all wanted to be her. We called her Olivia Neutron Bomb because she was the BOMB. Sadly I missed Xanadu in the theatres, but a fun movie, and a great soundtrack, and just BTW, it's pronounced "ZA'-nah-doo." Like Kubla Khan's city.

Your exactly right. Disco. Evolved into electric pop rock. Retro....human league type of music. Was all so great...

Olivia NJ just incredible ⭐️

Thank you so much for doing this reaction! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it! The movie "Xanadu" was reviewed horribly, but it has become a cult classic. The soundtrack was always the best part. I'm really glad that you got to see her in a different light. "Physical" was a huge commercial success, but never one of my favorite ONJ songs. Another one I think you'd enjoy is "Twist Of Fate" from 1983. It has a lot of 80's electronic elements and it's just a great song with a good beat. Much like this one, it also shows off her voice and (let's address the elephant in the room) her amazing physical beauty! She was one of a kind!

The background makes since when watch the whole movie. I love Xanadu!

My very ever first crush...I adore you Olivia, forever missed. X

My friend played me Sam on her portable record player back in the 70s. I was hooked since then. Thanks Anne

One of the most beautiful women to ever walk the planet. And a voice that will never be replicated.

Xanadu in the movie was a roller-disco rink ordained by the gods. Olivia was a muse sent to inspire a lowly human graphic designer to make Xanadu real. Everyone died horribly.

Thanks for the reaction man. I was 5 years old when I saw this movie on tv in '84 and it left an impression, she had a presence that sort of transended that of everyone else. By all accounts she was as nice in real life as she was on the screen and I never heard anyone saying a bad thing about her.

It's from the movie Xanadu about kiera, one of the Greek muses, who come to Earth to inspire man inspires a young man to follow his dream and open a night club. We find out years prior she'd inspired a man to fulfill his dance and big band dreams. Features Olivia, Michael Beck, and Gene Kelly (actor and world renowed dancer) ELO is the band

Olivia with my lifelong favourites of some 45 years... the Electric Light Orchestra (E.L.O.)👍😍😊

Always a favorite. My high school girlfriend was Dutch. Looked a lot like her. That was no accident. RIP...

Great singer.

Olivia's vocal range combined with her gentle feather touch approach to phrasing and breath work combined with, as you so rightly said, brightness and warmth made her a fully singular artist in terms of her singing. No less than a powerhouse than Mariah Carey has sited Olivia as childhood vocal inspiration. I'd LOVE to see you get to react to more of Olivia's output here. Great reaction, thank you for what you do.

Thanks for listening to her music! She’s amazing! Very talented women!

Olivia was the soundtrack of my childhood. The 70s were so amazing, rock, disco, singer songwriter...it was great! I suggest Have You Never Been Mellow or Sam. Her voice is so beautiful.

It is actually a movie. That song she is singing was written and scored By Jeff Lynne of ELO, and the backing vocals are that of ELO along with the instrument tracks. ELO Album with Olivia Newton John, and The Tubes. Check out the movie Xanadu.

The Movie Xanadu (for which you saw only the one song from); starred Michael Beck, Olivia Newton-John, and Gene Kelley ( in his last performance, mentioned earlier in the comments), and was a huge flop in the back office. However; the soundtrack (Songs made up of Olivia Newton-John (Side ONJ), and Electric Light Orchestra (Side ELO), was a Huge Success. Olivia had two hit songs come off this album; including Magic, and Suddenly (with Cliff Richards). ELO is also known for All Over The World; which is also from this album. In 2007; Xanadu the Broadway play was released 2007, and was even nominated for Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Book. The play was a big success; where the movie barely recoup it's budget. Also; the movie is fun to watch, if you don't take the bad storyline, and some of the acting too seriously, but the music is amazing. Featuring songs with Gene Kelley, and The Tubes, this was some of Jeff Lynne and John Farrar best works (Lynne; lead singer/songwriter for ELO, and Farrar, long time song writer for Olivia). Had you seen the full version of this song; you would have see Gene Kelley roller skating in the song's beginning, as there's a lead up to the song itself. ELO uses a long of Electric instruments; like the Violins you heard during the song (the sound you stopped the video over). It's the reason why they are Call Electric Light Orchestra!

I lived in Japan when this came out.. it was mega popular in Japan.

She is one of my favorites from grade school till now. I saw her in a small venue in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, around 2008. She sounded better than anyone I've seen live. She has a rendition of Physical that is slow and sultry you should listen to. Keep reviewing. I love watching you videos you're the 💣

This feature film "XANADU" featured both Olivia Newton-John and the famous group " The Electric Light Orchestra" (ELO) with its leader Jeff Lynne. And the song XANADU was written by Jeff Lynne, and performed by Olivia and ELO. That's why the song sounds so good. The film itself is unsuccessful, but the music in it is excellent. And Olivia sings a few songs there.

It's for everyone who loved her and respected her

In the film this is the opening of a club called Xanadu...hence the look. The longer version of this video clip is worth a listen.

Oh and this video is so classically awesome! I could watch it on repeat again and again and again. Love all of it. I believe it is just a clip from the movie.

Olivia is wonderful. One of my favorites! However, it seems you really need to listen and react to some Electric Light Orchestra. They have many, many hits and deep tracks. I think you will love them

Olivia's voice is astonishing beautiful, I would recommend next 'Let me be there', 'Hopelessly devoted to you', you will be amazed by those two, and there are more.

The video was a clip from the film of the same title. The songs in the film at the time became more popular than the movie. ELO was a popular band at that time but Olivia was the star of the show. The film also featured Gene Kelly.

"I'm Alive" is my favorite from this soundtrack.

Xanadu was a musical she starred in. About a club and dreams to make it amazing. She plays the daughter I think of Zeus

If you notice, when you "bang your head" to a song, its almost always the bass and drums you are in rhythm with. The drums keep time, the bass adds color and depth to the drums.

ELO actually has their own version of this song, I’ve learned that by seeing a reaction video to it. The only version I knew was Olivia’s and it will always be my favourite one. I’m positive that everyone likes disco but those who say they hate it are in denial or too embarrassed to admit it. When you listen to the instrumentation in disco songs, you realize just how complex and layered they actually were. And the production was incredible.

Bless you for your sentiments

Loved this movie when it was on Prism back then!

Was at universal studios in 1979 as the were dismantling the set from this movie. To bad the pan pacific arena is gone. Great memories!

I love every single minute of this movie! And I am very proud of the fact! 😊

This was my favorite movie as a kid. Still love it

Every time I see that one dude I think of the warriors movie . “Can you dig it “ whole place explode 🤯

This movie is very special to me. Dreams can come true. I really miss her

As much as I love Olivia Newton John, we can't forget her band. The band backing her up is Electric Light Orchestra led by Jeff Lynne. They have an amazing catalog of their own and even have a song on the Guardians of the Galaxy 2 soundtrack. Also, Jeff Lynne is one of the Travelling Wilburys.

She sure did have a great voice. Check out Magic - such a cool song. She worked quite a bit with fellow Aussie John Farrar, who wrote quite a few songs for her

Love Olivia !! ❤. Saw her in concert in the 80’s and she blew me away. RIP Olivia..we love you !,

The video is from the movie Xanadu, I believe. That was Gene Kelly's last movie. Unfortunately it was pretty much a flop, though the soundtrack did well. I remember hearing Xanadu and Magic (another great song) all the time back then. I wouldn't call this disco, strictly speaking, though I'm sure it was played in discos. Definitely an ELO vibe, basically an ELO song but sung by Olivia. You've seen Grease and heard her sing "Hopelessly Devoted to You" but didn't know she could sing that well? I think you need to react to that scene from the movie again, to refresh your memory. 🙂

Considered to be number 6 female singer of all time by Billboard. Icon❤

You will every possible form of dancing in this video that was known at the time. Like a musical dance show in the mall!!! And yes that's violins and the rest of the orchestra probably. I played it for years so the sound was so familiar. Of course maybe they'd made it electronically but doubtful.

ELO in the background. An underrated Movie. Gene Kelly stars in this movie. Check out all the clips. A movie made before it's time.

The video was a scene from the movie "Xanadu." Won't give it away.

It's a good movie. It has a very stylized look. A quick edit to add that the video takes place at the end of the movie.

My first and most enduring crush. Saw Xanadu as a young boy in the theater and was immediately, utterly stricken. And a few years later, in my late teens and 20s, when I was into bands like Sonic Youth and the Pixies and was too cool for pop music, I still secretly thought she was an angel with an angel’s voice.

Awesome breakdown of ELO's instrumentals. Glad to hear the appreciation

You probably won't read this 1 year on, but ONJ was known for her singing as far back as 1962. She was born in 1949 and was working in Melbourne, Victoria (Australia) on TV as far back as then and even had her own program. As for her workload, she has done considerable over the decades including work with Australia's No. 1 singer John Farnham who was her fave singer personally. They worked together on the Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony and much more. Here is that song from the Olympics called DARE TO DREAM: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-NwIfmS-Pml0.html