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Xanadu (Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra song)
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Xanadu (Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra song)

"Xanadu"
One of the UK releases, with pink vinyl
Single by Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra
from the album Xanadu
B-side
  • "Whenever You're Away from Me" (with Gene Kelly) (US)
  • "Fool Country" (UK)
Released13 June 1980[1]
Recorded1979
StudioMusicland Studios (Munich)
Genre
Length3:28
Label
Songwriter(s)Jeff Lynne
Producer(s)Jeff Lynne
Electric Light Orchestra singles chronology
"I'm Alive"
(1980)
"Xanadu"
(1980)
"All Over the World"
(1980)
Olivia Newton-John singles chronology
"Magic"
(1980)
"Xanadu"
(1980)
"Suddenly"
(1980)
Audio video
"Xanadu" on YouTube

"Xanadu" is the title song from the soundtrack of the 1980 musical film of the same name. Written by Jeff Lynne of the English rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), the song is performed by British and Australian singer, songwriter and actress Olivia Newton-John, with Lynne adding parenthetic vocals in the style of his other songs on the Xanadu soundtrack, and ELO providing the instrumentation. It was Lynne's least favourite of his own songs.[2][failed verification] Released as a single in June 1980, it reached number one in several European countries and was the band's only UK number-one single when it peaked there for two weeks in July 1980.[3] It was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry.[4] It also peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100.[5]

Background

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Sung by Newton-John[6] as the film's main female character Kira, it peaked at number one in Austria, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, the United Kingdom and West Germany.

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Billboard(favourable)[7]

Billboard′s reviewer described the song as a "sizzling track", writing: "Essentially it's Olivia taking Jeff Lynne's usual spot as lead singer of ELO. The combination is a winning one".[8]

Personnel

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Charts

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Olivia featuring Paula version

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"Xanadu"
Single by Olivia featuring Paula
Released4 December 1995
Recorded1995
GenreDance
LabelMDS
Songwriter(s)Jeff Lynne

In late 1995, two Australian dance performers released two versions of the song. Sydney singer Olivia featuring Paula (on the MDS label) released a dance version first, followed by Kirsty K. (on Central Station Records). Both versions charted on the ARIA Singles and Dance Charts in the first half of 1996.[39]

Charts

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Chart (1996) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[40] 55

Kirsty K. version

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"Xanadu"
Single by Kirsty K.
ReleasedDecember 1995
Recorded1995
GenreDance
Length3:30
LabelCentral Station
Songwriter(s)Jeff Lynne

Charts

[edit]
Chart (1996) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[41] 71

New Electric Light Orchestra version

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In 2000, ELO's Jeff Lynne re-recorded the song, with his own vocals, for the box set Flashback and the All Over the World compilation. Though it was billed as an ELO selection, the song was recorded by Lynne with Marc Mann on keyboards, but without input from his former bandmates Richard Tandy, Bev Bevan and Kelly Groucutt.

Sharleen Spiteri version

[edit]
"Xanadu"
Single by Sharleen Spiteri
from the album The Movie Songbook
Released25 February 2010
Recorded2009
GenrePop
Length3:34
Label
Songwriter(s)Jeff Lynne
Producer(s)Sharleen Spiteri
Sharleen Spiteri singles chronology
"It Was You"
(2008)
"Xanadu"
(2010)

In 2009, Scottish singer-songwriter Sharleen Spiteri recorded the song for her second studio album titled The Movie Songbook which was released on 1 March 2010 worldwide. "Xanadu" was released as the lead single from the album in February 2010.

Charts

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Chart (2010) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC)[42] 71

References

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