Wikipedia

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

"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-Australian singer, songwriter and actress Olivia Newton-John, with ELO providing the instrumentation and backing vocals. It was Lynne's favourite of his own songs.[2][failed verification] Released as a single in June 1980, the song reached number one in several different 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 #8 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[5]

"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
SongwriterJeff Lynne
ProducerJeff 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

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
SongwriterJeff 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.[40]

Charts

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Chart (1996) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[41] 55

Kirsty K. version

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"Xanadu"
Single by Kirsty K.
ReleasedDecember 1995
Recorded1995
GenreDance
Length3:30
LabelCentral Station
SongwriterJeff Lynne

Charts

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Chart (1996) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[42] 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

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"Xanadu"
Single by Sharleen Spiteri
from the album The Movie Songbook
Released25 February 2010
Recorded2009
GenrePop
Length3:34
Label
SongwriterJeff Lynne
ProducerSharleen 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)[43] 71

References

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  1. ↑ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 26.
  2. ↑ "Jeff Lynne interviewed by Simon Mayo in November 2017". YouTube. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2018.[failed verification]
  3. 1 2 "1980 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive – 12th July 1980". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  4. ↑ "British single certifications – Xanadu". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Xanadu in the "Search:" field.
  5. 1 2 3 "Electric Light Orchestra – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  6. ↑ "The Story Behind the Song Lyrics: "Xanadu" By Olivia Newton-John" American Songwriter. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  7. ↑ "Review: Xanadu – Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 85, no. 32. 9 August 1980. p. 70. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 24 May 2020 – via American Radio History.
  8. ↑ "Top Single Picks". Billboard. 9 August 1980. p. 70.
  9. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. p. 217. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  10. ↑ "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  11. ↑ "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  12. ↑ "RPM Top 100 Singles - November 8, 1980" (PDF).
  13. ↑ "RPM Top 50 AC - November 8, 1980" (PDF).
  14. 1 2 3 Hawtin, Steve. "Song artist 171 – Electric Light Orchestra". Tsort.info. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  15. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 183. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  16. ↑ "Xanadu in Irish Chart". IRMA. Archived from the original on 2 June 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2013. 1st result when searching "Xanadu"
  17. ↑ Lee Zhito, ed. (1980). "xanadu"+"japan"+"billboard"&pg=PT141 "Billboard, November 15, 1980". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  18. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  19. ↑ "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  20. ↑ "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu". Top 40 Singles.
  21. ↑ "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu". VG-lista.
  22. ↑ John Samson. "South African Rock Lists Website – SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (E)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  23. 1 2 Aranegui, Fernando Salaverri (2015). "1980 [Singles]". Sólo Éxitos 1959-2012 (in Spanish). Fundación SGAE. pp. 240–244. ISBN 9788480488662.
  24. ↑ "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu". Singles Top 100.
  25. ↑ "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu". Swiss Singles Chart.
  26. ↑ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles". cashboxmagazine.com. 11 October 1980. Archived from the original on 22 February 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  27. ↑ "ELO". Wweb.uta.edu. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  28. ↑ "Charts". Wweb.uta.edu. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  29. ↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts (West Germany)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  30. ↑ Kimberley, Chris (2000). Zimbabwe : Zimbabwe Singles Chart Book. Harare.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  31. ↑ "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (PDF) (in French). BAnQ. 4 October 1980. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 November 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
  32. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of August 17, 2022". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  33. ↑ "CU.S Digital Song Sales: Week of August 20, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  34. ↑ "Official Singles Downloads Chart on 12/8/2022 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  35. ↑ "National Top 100 Singles for 1980". Kent Music Report. 5 January 1981. Retrieved 17 January 2022 – via Imgur.
  36. ↑ "Australian-charts.com - Forum - Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts - 1980s (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  37. ↑ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  38. ↑ "UK Singles of the Year" (PDF). Record Mirror. London: Spotlight Publications. 27 December 1980. p. 30. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  39. ↑ "100 Top Hits of 1980" (PDF). Charismusicgroup.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  40. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  41. ↑ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 03 Mar 1996". Imgur.com (original document published by ARIA). Retrieved 31 July 2017. N.B. The HP column displays the highest peak reached.
  42. ↑ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 25 Feb 1996". Imgur.com (original document published by ARIA). Retrieved 21 July 2017. N.B. The HP column displays the highest peak reached.
  43. ↑ "Sharleen Spiteri". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
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