Released August 1980 Length 41:34 Movie Xanadu | Recorded 1980 Release date August 1980 Producers Jeff Lynne, John Farrar | |
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Studio Musicland Studios, Munich, Germany Label Jet Records
(United Kingdom)
MCA Records
(United States) Artists Olivia Newton-John, Electric Light Orchestra Genres Pop music, Disco, Pop rock Similar Electric Light Orchestra albums, Pop music albums | ||
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).
Contents
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, 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.
Olivia newton john elo xanadu
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 songs on side one written by John Farrar.
- "Magic" – 4:31
- "Suddenly" – 4:02
- "Dancin'" – 5:17
- "Suspended in Time" – 3:55
- "Whenever You're Away from Me" – 4:22
All songs on side two written by Jeff Lynne.
- "I'm Alive" – 3:46
- "The Fall" – 3:34
- "Don't Walk Away" – 4:48
- "All Over the World" – 4:04
- "Xanadu" – 3:28
Songs
1Magic4:33
2Suddenly4:02
3Dancin'5:19