Xanadu (soundtrack)

Xanadu
File:Xanadualbumcover.jpg
Soundtrack album by Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra
Released	August 1980
Recorded	1980
Genre	Pop, pop rock, disco, traditional pop, arena rock
Length	41:34
Label	Jet Records (UK) MCA Records (US)
Producer	Jeff Lynne, John Farrar
Electric Light Orchestra chronology
A Box of Their Best (1980)A Box of Their Best1980 Xanadu (1980) Four Light Years (1980)Four Light Years1980
Olivia Newton-John chronology
Totally Hot (1979) Xanadu (1980) Physical (1981)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Smash Hits	6/10

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). It is their eighth and ninth studio albums, respectively.

The original LP release featured on side one the songs of Newton-John, and on side two the songs of ELO and 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.

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

Side one (Olivia Newton-John)

All songs on side one written by John Farrar.

1. "Magic" – 4:31
2. "Suddenly" – 4:02

   Duet with Cliff Richard

3. "Dancin'" – 5:17

   Duet with The Tubes

4. "Suspended in Time" – 3:55
5. "Whenever You're Away from Me" – 4:22

   Duet with Gene Kelly

Side two (Electric Light Orchestra)

All songs on side two written by Jeff Lynne.

6. "I'm Alive" – 3:46
7. "The Fall" – 3:34
8. "Don't Walk Away" – 4:48
9. "All Over the World" – 4:04
10. "Xanadu" – 3:28

    Duet with Olivia Newton-John

B-sides
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Fool Country" (performed by Newton-John. B-side of "Magic" single)	2:29
2.	"Drum Dreams" (performed by Electric Light Orchestra. B-side of "I'm Alive" and "All Over the World" singles)	3:06
3.	"You Made Me Love You" (performed by Newton-John. B-side of "Suddenly" single)	3:05

Electric Light Orchestra personnel

• Jeff Lynne – lead vocals (except on "Xanadu"), backing vocals, electric guitars, acoustic guitars, keyboards, synthesizers
• Bev Bevan – drums, percussion, tympani
• Richard Tandy – pianos, synthesizers, keyboards
• Kelly Groucutt – bass guitar, backing vocals

Additional personnel

• Olivia Newton-John – lead vocals on "Xanadu"
• Strings by Louis Clark
• Mack – engineer

Olivia Newton-John personnel

• John Farrar – Producer
• David J. Holman – Engineering and mixing
• Recorded and mixed - David J. Holman studio

Chart positions

Chart (1980)	Peak position
Australian Albums Chart	1
Austrian Ö3 Austria Top 40 Longplay	1
Canadian Albums Chart	2
German Media Control Albums Chart	1
Norwegian Albums Chart	1
Swedish Albums Chart	1
UK Albums Chart	2
US Billboard 200	4
US CashBox	1
US Record World	1

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released

Title	Year	Peak chart positions
		AUS	AUT	CAN	NL	GER	IRL	NZ	SWE	UK	US
"I'm Alive" (performed by Electric Light Orchestra)	1980	27	—	7	38	16	10	32	—	20	16 [A]
"Magic" (performed by Olivia Newton-John)		4	20	1	13	36	—	4	12	32	1
"Xanadu" (performed by Newton-John and ELO)		2	1	6	1	1	1	8	3	1	8
"All Over the World" (performed by ELO)		78	—	3	10	28	12	—	—	11	13
"Suddenly" (performed by Newton-John and Cliff Richard)		37	—	60	—	—	6	30	—	15	20
"Don't Walk Away" (performed by ELO)		—	—	—	—	52	7	—	—	21	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

Notes

• A ^ Single awarded gold record in the US from the RIAA