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 | |||
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 | [1] |
Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [2] |
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]
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".
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 |
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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 |
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Additional personnel
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Additional personnel
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Weekly charts edit
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Year-end charts edit
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA)[33] | Platinum | 50,000^ |
Canada (Music Canada)[34] | 2× Platinum | 200,000^ |
France | — | 100,000[35] |
Germany (BVMI)[36] | Gold | 250,000^ |
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[37] | Platinum | 20,000* |
Italy | — | 100,000[38] |
Japan | — | 312,150[39] |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[40] | Platinum | 15,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[41] | Gold | 100,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[42] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000^ |
Summaries | ||
Worldwide | — | 5,000,000[43] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |