Xanadu (soundtrack)
Xanadu is the soundtrack to the 1980 musical film of the same name, featuring the Australian singer Olivia Newton-John and the British group Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). It was released in June 1980 on MCA Records in the United States and July 1980 by Jet Records in the United Kingdom.[5] The original LP release featured on side one the songs of Newton-John, and on side two the songs of ELO. In 2008 the soundtrack album was digitally remastered as a bonus CD as part of the film's DVD release titled Xanadu: Magical Musical Edition.
Xanadu | ||||
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Soundtrack album by | ||||
Released | June 27, 1980 | |||
Recorded | 1979–1980 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | ||||
Length | 41:34 | |||
Label | MCA (US & Canada) Jet (rest of the world) | |||
Producer | ||||
Olivia Newton-John chronology | ||||
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Electric Light Orchestra chronology | ||||
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Singles from Xanadu | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Encyclopedia of Popular Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
MusicHound | 1.5/5[3] |
Smash Hits | 6/10[4] |
Although the film was a critical and commercial disappointment,[6] the soundtrack was a worldwide success and received positive reviews from music critics, earning double platinum certifications in the United States and Canada. The singles "Magic" and "Xanadu" reached number one in the United States and United Kingdom, respectively. All in all, the album was the fifth most popular US soundtrack of 1981.[7]
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. Not every song from the soundtrack was included on the album, with the Newton-John solo, "You Made Me Love You" released only on the B-side of the duet "Suddenly", "Fool Country" released as the b-side of "Magic", and ELO's "Drum Dreams" released on the b-side of both "I'm Alive" and "All Over The World".
Track listing
All tracks on Side One written by John Farrar.
No. | Title | Performer | Length |
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1. | "Magic" | Olivia Newton-John | 4:31 |
2. | "Suddenly" | Olivia Newton-John with Cliff Richard | 4:02 |
3. | "Dancin'" | Olivia Newton-John with the Tubes | 5:17 |
4. | "Suspended in Time" | Olivia Newton-John | 3:55 |
5. | "Whenever You're Away from Me" | Olivia Newton-John with Gene Kelly | 4:22 |
All tracks on Side Two written by Jeff Lynne.
No. | Title | Performer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
6. | "I'm Alive" | Electric Light Orchestra | 3:46 |
7. | "The Fall" | Electric Light Orchestra | 3:34 |
8. | "Don't Walk Away" | Electric Light Orchestra | 4:48 |
9. | "All Over the World" | Electric Light Orchestra | 4:04 |
10. | "Xanadu" | Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra | 3:28 |
Total length: | 41:34 |
Personnel
Side One: Olivia Newton-John
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Additional personnel
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Side Two: Electric Light Orchestra
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Additional personnel
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Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications and sales
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA)[32] | Platinum | 50,000^ |
Canada (Music Canada)[33] | 2× Platinum | 200,000^ |
France | — | 100,000[34] |
Germany (BVMI)[35] | Gold | 250,000^ |
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[36] | Platinum | 20,000* |
Italy | — | 100,000[37] |
Japan | — | 312,150[38] |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[39] | Platinum | 15,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[40] | Gold | 100,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[41] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000^ |
Summaries | ||
Worldwide | — | 5,000,000[42] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
References
- Xanadu at AllMusic
- Larkin, Colin, ed. (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th edn). London: Omnibus Press. p. 915. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
- Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel, eds. (1999). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink Press. p. 813. ISBN 1-57859-061-2.
- Starr, Red (7–20 August 1980). "Albums". Smash Hits. p. 28.
- "Jeff Lynne Song Database - Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra - Xanadu song analysis". www.jefflynnesongs.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018. - the U.S. MCA release was MCA 6100, and the U.K. Jet release was JET LX 526
- Ewbank, Tim. Olivia: The Biography of Olivia Newton-John Hachette UK, 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
- Casey Kasem's American Top 40 - The Top 100 of 1981 from 26 December 1981
- Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
- "Austriancharts.at – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
- "Billboard Magazine, Hits of the World, 1980". Billboard. 6 September 1980. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0254a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
- Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
- "Offiziellecharts.de – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
- Racca, Guido (2019). M&D Borsa Album 1964–2019 (in Italian). Amazon Digital Services LLC - Kdp Print Us. ISBN 9781094705002.
- "Charts.nz – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
- "Norwegiancharts.com – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
- "Swedishcharts.com – Soundtrack / Electric Light Orchestra & Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
- "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- "Electric Light Orchestra Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
- "Record World Albums" (PDF). Record World. Vol. 37, no. 1731. 27 September 1980. p. 32. ISSN 0034-1622 – via World Radio History.
- "Cash Box Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. XLII, no. 23. 18 October 1980. p. 50. ISSN 0008-7289 – via World Radio History.
- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 432. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- "Jahreshitparade Alben 1980". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- "Top 100 Albums". RPM. Vol. 34, no. 6. 20 December 1980. ISSN 0315-5994 – via Library and Archives Canada.
- "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1980" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 1980" (in German). Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- "Top Selling Albums of 1980". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- "Chart File – Top 100 Albums 1980" (PDF). Record Mirror. 4 April 1981. p. 38. ISSN 0144-5804 – via World Radio History.
- "1980 Talent in Action – Soundtracks". Billboard. Vol. 92, no. 51. 20 December 1980. p. TIA-22. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
- "Billboard's 1981 Year-End Charts – Soundtracks". Billboard. Vol. 93, no. 51. 26 December 1981. p. YE-21. ISSN 0006-2510 – via Google Books.
- "Magic Moment". Billboard. 27 September 1980. p. 56. Retrieved 13 May 2020 – via Google Books.
- "Canadian album certifications – Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Music Canada.
- Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Fabrice Ferment (ed.). "TOP – 1980". 40 ans de tubes: 1960–2000: les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles (in French). OCLC 469523661. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2022 – via Top-France.fr.
- "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Elec.Light Orchestra und O. Newton-John; 'Xanadu')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
- "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1981". IFPI Hong Kong.
- Caroli, Daniele (13 June 1981). "International - CBS-Dischi Distrib Center Bows" (PDF). Billboard. p. 66. Retrieved 11 December 2019 – via American Radio History.
- Okamoto, Satoshi (2006). Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. p. 349. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
- "New Zealand album certifications – Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Recorded Music NZ.
- "British album certifications – Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". British Phonographic Industry.
- "American album certifications – Olivia Newton-John – Xanadu". Recording Industry Association of America.
- Carlin, Roger (4 May 2012). "Signature revives a sendup of the 1980 movie musical 'Xanadu'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 23 December 2022.