Xanadu

Electric Light Orchestra, Olivia Newton-John

About Xanadu

"Xanadu" is the title song from the soundtrack to the 1980 film Xanadu. The song is performed by English-born Australian singer Olivia Newton-John and English rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). Newton-John sings the primary vocals, with ELO lead singer and the song's writer Jeff Lynne adding "parenthetic" vocals in the style of their other songs on the Xanadu soundtrack, along with ELO providing the instrumentation. It is Lynne's favourite song of all that he has written. "Xanadu" reached number one in several countries and was the band's only UK number-one single, when it peaked there for two weeks in July 1980. It was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry. It also peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100. The music video also appears on the Friends episode "The One Where Rachel and Ross... You Know". 


Year:
1980
3:30
402 
#2

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A place where nobody dared to go
The love that we came to know
They call it Xanadu
And now, open your eyes and see
What we have made is real
We are in Xanadu

A million lights are dancing
And there you are, a shooting star
An everlasting world
And you're here with me, eternally
Xanadu, Xanadu
(Now we are here) in Xanadu
Xanadu, Xanadu
(Now we are here) in Xanadu
Xanadu, your neon lights
Will shine for you, Xanadu

The love that echoes of long ago
You needed the world to know
They are in Xanadu
The dream that came
Through a million years
That lived through all the tears
It came to Xanadu

A million lights are dancing
And there you are, a shooting star
An everlasting world
And you're here with me, eternally
Xanadu, Xanadu
(Now we are here) in Xanadu
Xanadu, Xanadu
(Now we are here) in Xanadu

Now that I'm here
Now that you're near, in Xanadu
Now that I'm here
Now that you're near, in Xanadu
Xanadu

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Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John, AO, OBE (born 26 September 1948) is an English-born Australian singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles (including two platinum) and 14 of her albums (including two platinum and four double platinum) have been certified gold by the RIAA. Her music has been successful in multiple formats including pop, country and adult contemporary and has sold an estimated over 100 million albums worldwide. She co-starred with John Travolta in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Grease, which featured one of the most successful film soundtracks in Hollywood history. more »

7 fans

Written by: Jeff Lynne

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Date
The song "Xanadu" was released in 1980. It was one of the most popular songs of the year, hitting the number one spot on various charts worldwide.
Collaboration
The song marked a special collaboration between the rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) and the pop singer Olivia Newton-John; it was seen as an unlikely yet successful mix of musical styles.
Film Soundtrack
"Xanadu" served as the title track for the musical fantasy film of the same name, also released in 1980, which starred Olivia Newton-John.
Chart Rankings
It reached number 1 on the UK Singles Charts and peaked at number 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song also hit number one spot on several other international music charts.
Musical Style
The song is an infectious mixture of pop and rock influences, characterized by a distinctive electronic arrangement that was typical of ELO's music at the time.
Honors and accolades
Despite the film's poor performance at the box office, the song "Xanadu" and its soundtrack album enjoyed massive success and received positive reviews from the music critics.
Flop to Cult
The film Xanadu, although initially termed as a commercial flop, later acquired a cult status, and the song also received renewed interest and popularity due to this.
Stage Adaptation
The song is also an integral part of the Xanadu stage musical, a Broadway adaptation of the film that debuted in 2007, where the song "Xanadu" serves as the closing number.
Cover Versions
Over the years, multiple artists have covered the song. Notably, British band Take That performed a version in 2008 on the "Circus" tour.
Last Top 10 Hit
"Xanadu" was, interestingly, the last top ten hit for both Olivia Newton-John and ELO in the U.S. serving as a significant milestone in their respective careers.

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    Xanadu

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1980

    Billboard #8


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