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

"Xanadu" is the title song from the soundtrack album Xanadu, and is the title song from the 1980 film of the same name. A rare collaboration for ELO, the song is performed by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) and Olivia Newton-John. Newton-John sings the primary vocals, with ELO (Jeff Lynne) adding "parenthetic" vocals in the style of their other songs on the Xanadu soundtrack, along with providing the instrumentation.

The single reached number 1 in several countries, and was the band's only UK number 1 single,^[1] when it peaked there for two weeks in July 1980. The song peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.^[2]

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (1980)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[3]	2
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[4]	1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[5]	1
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary^[6]	2
Canadian RPM Top Singles^[7]	9
Dutch Top 40^[8]	1
Eurochart Hot 100 Singles^[9]	1
France (SNEP)^[9]	3
Germany (Official German Charts)^[10]	1
Irish Singles Chart^[11]	1
Israel Singles Chart^[12]	1
Japan (Oricon)^[13]	18
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[14]	1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[15]	1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[16]	8
Norway (VG-lista)^[17]	1
South African Chart^[18]	20
Spain (PROMUSICAE)^[9]	1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[19]	3
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[20]	2
UK (Official Charts Company)^[1]	1
US Billboard Hot 100^[2]	8
US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary^[2]	2
US Cash Box Top 100 Singles	9
US Record World Singles^[9]	4
US Radio & Records (R&R)^[21]^[22]	2

Year-end charts

Chart (1980)	Rank
Australia^[23]	53
Canada^[24]	71
US American Top 40^[25]	93
UK^[26]	34

Personnel

Olivia Newton-John - Vocals
Jeff Lynne - Guitar, Keyboards, backing vocals
Bev Bevan - Drums, percussion
Richard Tandy - Keyboards
Kelly Groucutt - Bass, backing vocals
Louis Clark - Strings

Preceded by "Crying" by Don McLean	UK Singles Chart number-one single July 12, 1980 – July 26, 1980	Succeeded by "Use It Up and Wear It Out" by Odyssey
Preceded by "Funkytown" by Lipps Inc	West German Singles Chart number-one single August 7, 1980 – August 21, 1980	Succeeded by "Santa María" by Oliver Onions
Preceded by "Funkytown" by Lipps Inc	Eurochart Hot 100 number-one single September 5, 1980 – September 12, 1980	Succeeded by "The Winner Takes It All" by ABBA
Preceded by "Funkytown" by Lipps Inc	Norwegian VG-Lista number-one single 36/1980 (1 week)	Succeeded by "Upside Down" by Diana Ross
Preceded by "Crying" by Don McLean	Irish Singles Chart number-one single July 19, 1980 – August 16, 1980	Succeeded by "The Winner Takes It All" by ABBA

Kirsty K. version

"Xanadu"
Single by Kirsty K.
Released	August 1996
Format	CD
Recorded	1995
Genre	Dance
Length	3:30
Label	Central Station Records
Writer(s)	Jeff Lynne

In early 1996, two Australian dance performers released 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.

Chart performance (Kirsty K. version)

Chart (1996)	Peak position
Australia ARIA Dance Chart	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 with no input from his former bandmates.

Sharleen Spiteri version

"Xanadu"

Single by Sharleen Spiteri

from the album The Movie Songbook

Released

February 2010

Format

CD Single, digital download

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 a second studio album titled The Movie Songbook which was released on March 1, 2010 worldwide. Xanadu was released as the lead single from the album in February 2010 and has so far made the BBC Radio 2 C-List.^[27]

Music video

A Music video for the song was added to Spiteri's official YouTube channel in February 2010. The video shows the Capitol Records Building and Spiteri performing the song with an acoustic guitar and one male and two female back up singers.

Chart performance

Chart (2010)	Peak position
UK (Official Charts Company)^[28]	71

Other cover versions

Karin Glenmark recorded the song in Swedish, with lyrics by Ingela "Pling" Forsman, and released it as a single in 1980.^[29] Her version chartered at Svensktoppen for 10 weeks between October 26-December 21, 1980.^[30] 1980 also saw the release of Swedish language-recordings by Ingmar Nordströms.,^[31] Flamingokvintetten ^[32] and Wizex.^[33]

British indie artist Dev Hynes, under his alias, Lightspeed Champion, did his own rendition of "Xanadu" as a b-side to his single "Tell Me What It's Worth".

The song appeared on the first episode of the fourth season of the American adult animated sitcom American Dad! "The Vacation Goo" wherein the alien character Roger performed "Xanadu on a cruise ship as he is impersonating Olivia Newton-John.

Dannii Minogue also covered "Xanadu" for her 2007 album Club Disco.

References

1 2 "1980 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive - 12th July 1980". Offfical Charts Company. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
1 2 3 "Electric Light Orchestra - Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
↑ "Austriancharts.at – Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
↑ "Ultratop.be – Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
↑ "Xanadu in Canadian Adult Contemporary Chart". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
↑ "Xanadu in Canadian Top Singles Chart". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
↑ Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. "Top 40-lijst van week 31, 1980". Top40.nl. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
1 2 3 4 Hawtin, Steve. "Song artist 171 - Electric Light Orchestra". Tsort.info. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu". GfK Entertainment Charts.
↑ "Xanadu in Irish Chart". IRMA. Archived from the original on June 3, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2013. 1st result when searching "Xanadu"
↑ Lee Zhito, ed. (1980). "xanadu"+"israel"+"billboard" Billboard, September 6, 1980. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
↑ Lee Zhito, ed. (1980). "xanadu"+"japan"+"billboard" Billboard, November 15, 1980. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
↑ "Charts.org.nz – Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu". Top 40 Singles.
↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – 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 April 29, 2013.
↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu". Singles Top 100.
↑ "Swisscharts.com – Olivia Newton-John & Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu". Swiss Singles Chart.
↑ "ELO". Wweb.uta.edu. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
↑ "Charts". Wweb.uta.edu. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
↑ "100 Top Hits of 1980" (PDF). Charismusicgroup.com. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
↑ "UK Singles of the Year" (PDF). Record Mirror. London: Spotlight Publications. December 27, 1980. p. 30. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
↑ - 17:05. "Radio 2 - Playlist". BBC. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
↑ "Sharleen Spiteri". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
↑ "Svensk mediedatabas". Retrieved May 29, 2011.
↑ "Svensktoppen". 1980. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
↑ "Svensk mediedatabas". Retrieved May 29, 2011.
↑ "Svensk mediedatabas". Retrieved May 29, 2011.
↑ "Svensk mediedatabas". Retrieved May 29, 2011.

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)

Xanadu

Film
Musical

Music

Film	Soundtrack "Magic" "Suddenly" "I'm Alive" "Don't Walk Away" "All Over the World" "Xanadu" "You Made Me Love You"

Musical	Broadway Cast Recording "Evil Woman" "Strange Magic" "Have You Never Been Mellow"

Electric Light Orchestra singles discography

1970s

1972	"10538 Overture" / "First Movement (Jumping Biz)" "Mr. Radio" (withdrawn)

1973	"Roll Over Beethoven" / "Queen of the Hours" "Showdown" / "In Old England Town (Instrumental)"

1974	"Ma-Ma-Ma Belle" / "Daybreaker" (US) "Ma-Ma-Ma Belle" / "Oh No Not Susan" (UK) "Can't Get It Out of My Head" / "Illusions in G Major"

1975	"Boy Blue" / "Eldorado" "Evil Woman" / "10538 Overture (live)"

1976	"Strange Magic" / "New World Rising" (US) "Nightrider" / "Daybreaker (live)" "Strange Magic" / "Showdown (live)" (UK) "Livin' Thing" / "Ma-Ma-Ma Belle" (US) "Livin' Thing" / "Fire On High" (UK)

1977	"Rockaria!" / "Poker" "Do Ya" / "Nightrider" "Telephone Line" / "Poor Boy (The Greenwood)" (US) "Telephone Line" / "Poor Boy (The Greenwood)" and "King of the Universe" (UK) "Turn to Stone" / "Mister Kingdom"

1978	"Mr. Blue Sky" / "One Summer Dream" "Sweet Talkin' Woman" / "Fire On High" (US) "Wild West Hero" / "Eldorado" "Sweet Talkin' Woman" / "Bluebird is Dead" (UK) "It's Over" / "The Whale" The ELO EP

1979	"Shine a Little Love" / "Jungle" "The Diary of Horace Wimp" / "Down Home Town" "Don't Bring Me Down" / "Dreaming of 4000" "Confusion"/"Last Train to London" (UK) "Confusion" / "Poker" (US) "Last Train to London" / "Down Home Town" (US)

1980s

1980	"I'm Alive" / "Drum Dreams" "Xanadu" (duet with Olivia Newton-John) / "Fool Country" (Olivia Newton-John) (UK) "Xanadu" (with Olivia Newton-John) / "Whenever You're Away from Me" (Olivia Newton-John) (US) "All Over the World" / "Midnight Blue" (UK) "All Over the World" / "Drum Dreams" (US) "Don't Walk Away" / "Across the Border"

1981	"Hold On Tight" / "When Time Stood Still" "Twilight" / "Julie Don't Live Here"

1982	"Here Is the News"/"Ticket to the Moon" "Rain Is Falling" / "Another Heart Breaks" "The Way Life's Meant to Be" / "Wishing"

1983	"Rock 'n' Roll Is King" / "After All" "Secret Messages" / "Buildings Have Eyes" "Four Little Diamonds" / "Letter from Spain" "Stranger" / "Train of Gold"

1986	"Calling America" / "Caught in a Trap" "So Serious" / "Endless Lies" (US) "So Serious" / "A Matter of Fact" (UK) "Getting to the Point" / "Secret Lives"

1990s

1990	"Destination Unknown" (promo)

2000s

2001	"Alright" / "Love Changes All" / "Do Ya" (Unedited Alternative Mix) "Moment in Paradise" / "Alright" (PBS 2001 Version) / "Mr. Blue Sky" (PBS 2001 Version) / "Livin' Thing" (PBS 2001 Version)

2006	"Surrender"

2007	"Latitude 88 North"

2010s

2015	"When I Was a Boy"

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"

Other Singles	Nothing 2 Prove (Roger Sanchez featuring Sharleen Spiteri)

Related articles	Discography Texas Must Be The Music

Olivia Newton-John singles

1970s	If Not for You "If Not for You" "Banks of the Ohio" Olivia "What is Life" "Just a Little Too Much" Let Me Be There "Take Me Home, Country Roads" "Let Me Be There" Long Live Love "Long Live Love" "I Honestly Love You" If You Love Me, Let Me Know "If You Love Me, Let Me Know" "I Honestly Love You" Have You Never Been Mellow "Have You Never Been Mellow" "Please Mr. Please" Clearly Love "Something Better to Do" "Let It Shine" Come on Over "Come on Over" "Jolene" Don't Stop Believin' "Don't Stop Believin'" "Every Face Tells a Story" "Sam" Making a Good Thing Better "Making a Good Thing Better" Grease "You're the One That I Want" "Summer Nights" "Hopelessly Devoted to You" Totally Hot "A Little More Love" "Deeper Than the Night" "Totally Hot"

1980s	Xanadu "Magic" "Xanadu" "Suddenly" Physical "Physical" "Make a Move on Me" "Landslide" Greatest Hits Vol. 2 "Heart Attack" "Tied Up" Two of a Kind "Twist of Fate" "Take a Chance" "Livin' in Desperate Times" Soul Kiss "Soul Kiss" "Toughen Up" The Rumour "The Rumour" "Can't We Talk It Over in Bed" Warm and Tender "Reach Out for Me" "When You Wish upon a Star"

1990s	Back to Basics "I Need Love" "Deeper Than a River" Gaia: One Woman's Journey "No Matter What You Do" "Don't Cut Me Down" Back with a Heart "I Honestly Love You (1998 version)" "Back with a Heart"

2010s	Grace and Gratitude "Help Me to Heal" A Few Best Men "Mickey (Chew Fu Fix)"

Featured singles	"I Can't Help It" "The Best of Me" "Had to Be" "Falling" "Physical (Glee cast version)" "You Have to Believe" (with Dave Aude and Chloe Lattanzi)

Other singles	"Till You Say You'll Be Mine" "Rest Your Love on Me" "Spirit of the Florest" "The Grease Megamix" "Grease: The Dream Mix" "One Heart at a Time" "Love Shouldn't Hurt" "Hope Is Always Here" "When You Wish upon a Star (2011 version)" "Magic (Peach & Murphy remix)"

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