As the world mourns Olivia Newton-John, naturally everyone’s talking about the classics: ‘Physical’, ‘I Honestly Love You’, ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’. But Olivia had a massive back catalogue and a recording careering stretching over five decades. Here are five easily-overlooked ONJ performances that I’ll have on rotation this week.
The Rumour
Co-written and co-produced by Elton John (who is also prominent on backing vocals and piano), this 1988 track didn’t set the charts on fire, but it’s fantastic nonetheless.
Don’t Cry For Me Argentina
Also performed by Livvy at a 1980 royal command performance at the Sydney Opera House.
Jolene
Of course Dolly Parton’s version is iconic, but ONJ’s take was a key moment in her 1970s “country phase”.
Heart Attack
A pumping slice of 1980s pop.
I Need Love
This 1992 track was produced by Giorgio Moroder, and was the lead from the Olivia: The Singles compilation. Promotion and the tour for that album got cut short by Olivia’s first breast cancer diagnosis.