"Magic" by Olivia Newton-John

#1 Alert!

Gold Record Alert!

Song#:  0188
Date:  05/24/1980
Debut:  74
Peak:  1 (4 weeks)
Weeks:  23
Genre:  Pop



Pop Bits:  Just like the character she played in the film "Grease," Newton-John transformed from an innocent AC/country chanteuse to a mainstream pop hot tamale. Her first post-"Grease" effort, "Totally Hot," placed far less emphasis on country and vamped up her look and sound. Her next film/music project was the infamous bomb "Xanadu," but despite the movies dismal box office, the soundtrack was a huge hit and Newton-John left country music in the dust and never looked back. The soundtrack to "Xanadu" featured a side of songs by Newton-John and a side of songs by the Electric Light Orchestra. This single would go on to be Newton-John's biggest hit up to that point.

ReduxReview:  This is just near-perfect pop. Everything clicked - great song, nice arrangement, and hot vocals. "Physical" would be the bigger hit, but I think this is really her peak. All her previous experience and different styles would culminate in this tune. She has some pretty great singles before and after, but I would probably place this at the top of the list.

ReduxRating:  9/10

Trivia:  When publicist John J.B. Wilson saw a double feature of "Xanadu" and "Can't Stop the Music," it prompted him to begin giving awards for the worst movies of the year. These are now the famous Razzie Awards held one-day prior to the Academy Awards. Newton-John was nominated at the first Razzies for Worst Actress for "Xanadu." She lost (or is it really won?) to Brook Shields for her turn in "The Blue Lagoon."

_________________________________________________________________________________