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

"Xanadu"
"Xanadu"
Single by Kirsty K.
Released	December 1995
Recorded	1995
Genre	Dance
Length	3:30
Label	Central Station
Songwriter(s)	Jeff Lynne

"Xanadu"
"Xanadu"
Single by Olivia featuring Paula
Released	4 December 1995
Recorded	1995
Genre	Dance
Label	MDS
Songwriter(s)	Jeff Lynne

"Xanadu"
"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);
Released	13 June 1980
Recorded	1979
Studio	Musicland Studios (Munich)
Genre	Disco; pop;
Length	3:28
Label	MCA (US); Jet (UK);
Songwriter(s)	Jeff Lynne
Producer(s)	Jeff Lynne
Electric Light Orchestra singles chronology
Olivia Newton-John singles chronology

"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

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

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
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

Olivia Newton-John – lead and backing vocals
Jeff Lynne – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
Bev Bevan – drums, percussion
Richard Tandy – keyboards
Kelly Groucutt – bass guitar, backing vocals
James Newton Howard – synthesizers
Louis Clark – strings

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1980-1981)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[9]	2
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[10]	1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[11]	1
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[12]	9
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)^[13]	2
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)^[14]	1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)^[15]	4
France (SNEP)^[14]	3
Ireland (IRMA)^[16]	1
Japan (Oricon)^[17]	18
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[18]	1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[19]	1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[20]	8
Norway (VG-lista)^[21]	1
South Africa (Springbok)^[22]	20
Spain (PROMUSICAE)^[14]	1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[23]	3
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[24]	2
UK Singles (OCC)^[3]	1
US Billboard Hot 100^[5]	8
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[5]	2
US Cash Box Top 100^[25]	9
US Record World Singles^[14]	4
US Radio & Records (R&R)^[26]^[27]	2
West Germany (GfK)^[28]	1

Chart (2022)	Peak position
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)^[29]	18
U.S. Digital Song Sales (Billboard)^[30]	40
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)^[31]	21

Year-end charts

Chart (1980)	Rank
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[32]^[33]	53
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[34]	71
UK Singles (OCC)^[35]	34
US American Top 40^[36]	93
US Opus	26

Olivia featuring Paula version

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.^[37]

Charts

Chart (1996)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[38]	55

Kirsty K. version

Charts

Chart (1996)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[39]	71

New Electric Light Orchestra version

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

"Xanadu"

Single by Sharleen Spiteri

from the album The Movie Songbook

Released

25 February 2010

Recorded

2009

Genre

Pop

Length

3:34

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

Chart (2010)	Peak position
UK Singles (OCC)^[40]	71

References

^ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 26.
^ "Jeff Lynne interviewed by Simon Mayo in November 2017". YouTube. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2018.^{[failed verification]}
^ ^a ^b "1980 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive – 12th July 1980". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
^ "British single certifications – Xanadu". British Phonographic Industry.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Electric Light Orchestra – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
^ "The Story Behind the Song Lyrics: "Xanadu" By Olivia Newton-John" American Songwriter. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
^ "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.
^ "Top Single Picks". Billboard. 9 August 1980. p. 70.
^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. p. 217. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
^ "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
^ "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - November 8, 1980" (PDF).
^ "RPM Top 50 AC - November 8, 1980" (PDF).
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Hawtin, Steve. "Song artist 171 – Electric Light Orchestra". Tsort.info. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
^ 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.
^ "Xanadu in Irish Chart". IRMA. Archived from the original on 2 June 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2013. 1st result when searching "Xanadu"
^ 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.
^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
^ "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
^ "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu". Top 40 Singles.
^ "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu". VG-lista.
^ John Samson. "South African Rock Lists Website – SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (E)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
^ "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu". Singles Top 100.
^ "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu". Swiss Singles Chart.
^ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles". cashboxmagazine.com. 11 October 1980. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
^ "ELO". Wweb.uta.edu. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
^ "Charts". Wweb.uta.edu. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of August 17, 2022". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
^ "CU.S Digital Song Sales: Week of August 20, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
^ "National Top 100 Singles for 1980". Kent Music Report. 5 January 1981. Retrieved 17 January 2022 – via Imgur.
^ "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.
^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
^ "UK Singles of the Year" (PDF). Record Mirror. London: Spotlight Publications. 27 December 1980. p. 30. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
^ "100 Top Hits of 1980" (PDF). Charismusicgroup.com. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ "Sharleen Spiteri". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 July 2013.

External links

In-depth Song Analysis at the Jeff Lynne Song Database (jefflynnesongs.com)
"Olivia Newton-John/Electric Light Orchestra: Xanadu" at Discogs (list of releases)
Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra - Xanadu on YouTube

[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]}

[OCC-3] "1980 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive – 12th July 1980". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 March 2013.

[United_Kingdom{{{artist}}}XanadusingleCertRef-4] "British single certifications – Xanadu". British Phonographic Industry.

[awards-5] "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.

[bboardreview-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.

[sc_Austria_Olivia_Newton-John_&_Electric_Light_Orchestra-10] "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.

[sc_Flanders_Olivia_Newton-John_&_Electric_Light_Orchestra-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).

[tsort-14] 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.

[sc_Dutch40_Olivia_Newton-John_&_Electric_Light_Orchestra-18] "Nederlandse Top 40 – Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.

[sc_Dutch100_Olivia_Newton-John_&_Electric_Light_Orchestra-19] "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.

[sc_New_Zealand_Olivia_Newton-John_&_Electric_Light_Orchestra-20] "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu". Top 40 Singles.

[sc_Norway_Olivia_Newton-John_&_Electric_Light_Orchestra-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.

[sc_Sweden_Olivia_Newton-John_&_Electric_Light_Orchestra-23] "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu". Singles Top 100.

[sc_Switzerland_Olivia_Newton-John_&_Electric_Light_Orchestra-24] "Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu". Swiss Singles Chart.

[25] "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles". cashboxmagazine.com. 11 October 1980. Retrieved 5 January 2021.

[26] "ELO". Wweb.uta.edu. Retrieved 17 October 2016.

[27] "Charts". Wweb.uta.edu. Retrieved 17 October 2016.

[sc_West_Germany_Olivia_Newton-John_&_Electric_Light_Orchestra-28] "Offiziellecharts.de – Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 28 February 2020.

[29] "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of August 17, 2022". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.

[30] "CU.S Digital Song Sales: Week of August 20, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 16 August 2022.

[sc_UKdownload_-31] "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 August 2022.

[aus80-32] "National Top 100 Singles for 1980". Kent Music Report. 5 January 1981. Retrieved 17 January 2022 – via Imgur.

[33] "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.

[34] "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 17 October 2016.

[35] "UK Singles of the Year" (PDF). Record Mirror. London: Spotlight Publications. 27 December 1980. p. 30. Retrieved 13 June 2016.

[36] "100 Top Hits of 1980" (PDF). Charismusicgroup.com. Retrieved 17 October 2016.

[37] Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.

[38] "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.

[39] "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.

[40] "Sharleen Spiteri". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 July 2013.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]

v t e Electric Light Orchestra
Jeff Lynne Bev Bevan Roy Wood Richard Tandy Mike Edwards Wilfred Gibson Hugh McDowell Mike de Albuquerque Colin Walker Mik Kaminski Kelly Groucutt Melvyn Gale
Studio albums	The Electric Light Orchestra (No Answer) ELO 2 (Electric Light Orchestra II) On the Third Day Eldorado Face the Music A New World Record Out of the Blue Discovery Time Secret Messages Balance of Power Zoom Alone in the Universe From Out of Nowhere
Live albums	The Night the Light Went On in Long Beach Live at Wembley '78 Live at Winterland '76 The BBC Sessions Live at the BBC Electric Light Orchestra Live Wembley or Bust
Soundtracks	Xanadu
Compilations	Showdown Olé ELO The Light Shines On Three Light Years The Light Shines On Vol 2 ELO's Greatest Hits A Box of Their Best Four Light Years Afterglow ELO's Greatest Hits Vol. 2 The Very Best of the Electric Light Orchestra Strange Magic Light Years Definitive Collection Friends & Relatives Flashback The Ultimate Collection The Essential Electric Light Orchestra All Over the World Ticket to the Moon The Essential Electric Light Orchestra (2 CD Edition) Mr. Blue Sky
Singles	"10538 Overture" "Mr. Radio" (withdrawn) "Roll Over Beethoven" "Showdown" "Ma-Ma-Ma Belle" "Can't Get It Out of My Head" / "Illusions in G Major" "Boy Blue" / "Eldorado" "Evil Woman" "Strange Magic" "Nightrider" "Strange Magic" "Livin' Thing" / "Fire On High" "Rockaria!" "Do Ya" "Telephone Line" / "Poor Boy (The Greenwood)" "Turn to Stone" / "Mister Kingdom" "Mr. Blue Sky" / "One Summer Dream" "Sweet Talkin' Woman" "Wild West Hero" "It's Over" "Shine a Little Love" "The Diary of Horace Wimp" "Don't Bring Me Down" "Confusion" "Last Train to London" "I'm Alive" "Xanadu" (with Olivia Newton-John) "All Over the World" "Don't Walk Away" "Hold On Tight" "Twilight" "Here Is the News" / "Ticket to the Moon" "Rain Is Falling" "The Way Life's Meant to Be" "Rock 'n' Roll Is King" "Secret Messages" "Four Little Diamonds" "Stranger" "Calling America" "So Serious" "Getting to the Point"
Videography	Out of the Blue: Live at Wembley (1980) Fusion – Live in London (1990) Zoom Tour Live (2001) ELO – Total Rock Review (2006) Live: The Early Years (2010) Jeff Lynne's ELO: Live in Hyde Park (2015) Wembley or Bust (2017)
Tours	Jeff Lynne's ELO Tour 2019 The Over and Out Tour (2024-25)
Touring members	Louis Clark Dave Morgan Gregg Bissonette Matt Bissonette Marc Mann Rosie Vela
Related articles	Discography Members Song list The Move Wizzard ELO Part II The Orchestra Violinski Earthrise L.E.O. Juliana Hatfield Sings ELO
Category

v t e Sharleen Spiteri
Albums	Melody The Movie Songbook
Singles	"All The Times I Cried" "Don't Keep Me Waiting" "Stop I Don't Love You Anymore" "It Was You" "Xanadu"
Related articles	Discography Texas

v t e Olivia Newton-John
Albums Singles Videography Tours Awards and honours
Studio albums	If Not for You Olivia Let Me Be There Long Live Love Have You Never Been Mellow Clearly Love Come On Over Don't Stop Believin' Making a Good Thing Better Totally Hot Physical Soul Kiss The Rumour Warm and Tender Gaia: One Woman's Journey Back with a Heart 2 Indigo: Women of Song Stronger Than Before Grace and Gratitude Christmas Wish A Celebration in Song This Christmas Liv On Friends for Christmas
Compilations	If You Love Me, Let Me Know First Impressions Greatest Hits Greatest Hits Vol. 2 Back to Basics: The Essential Collection 1971–1992 The Definitive Collection Magic Gold 40/40: The Best Selection Hopelessly Devoted: The Hits Just the Two of Us: The Duets Collection (Vol. 1) Just the Two of Us: The Duets Collection (Vol. 2)
Live albums	Love Performance Highlights from The Main Event One Woman's Live Journey Olivia's Live Hits Two Strong Hearts Live
Soundtracks	Grease Xanadu Two of a Kind A Few Best Men
EPs	Hotel Sessions
Video releases	Olivia Physical Olivia in Concert Twist of Fate Soul Kiss Olivia Down Under The Main Event Video Gold Live at the Sydney Opera House
Singles	"Till You Say You'll Be Mine" "If Not for You" "Banks of the Ohio" "What Is Life" "Just a Little Too Much" "Take Me Home, Country Roads" "Let Me Be There" "Long Live Love" "I Honestly Love You" "If You Love Me, Let Me Know" "Have You Never Been Mellow" "Please Mr. Please" "Something Better to Do" "Let It Shine" "Come on Over" "Jolene" "Don't Stop Believin'" "Every Face Tells a Story" "Sam" "Making a Good Thing Better" "You're the One That I Want" "Hopelessly Devoted to You" "Summer Nights" "A Little More Love" "Deeper Than the Night" "Totally Hot"/"Dancin' Round and Round" "I Can't Help It" "Rest Your Love on Me" "Magic" "Xanadu" "Suddenly" "Physical" "Make a Move on Me" "Landslide" "Heart Attack" "Tied Up" "Twist of Fate" "Soul Kiss" "The Best of Me" "The Rumour" "Reach Out for Me" "When You Wish Upon a Star" "The Grease Megamix" "Grease: The Dream Mix" "I Need Love"
Featured singles	"You Have to Believe"
Other songs	"Me and Bobby McGee" "If" "Help Me Make It Through the Night" "If You Could Read My Mind" "Angel of the Morning" "Everything I Own" "God Only Knows" "The Air That I Breathe" "Love Is Alive" "Ring of Fire" "Slow Dancing"
Concert tours	Physical Tour One Woman's Journey Tour Heartstrings World Tour A Summer Night with ONJ Summer Nights Two Strong Hearts Live
Related articles	Toomorrow (soundtrack) Olivia Newton-John: Hopelessly Devoted to You Max Born Pat Carroll John Farrar Tottie Goldsmith Chloe Lattanzi (daughter) Matt Lattanzi (first husband) Emerson Newton-John (nephew)
Category