![]() ![]() Newton-John had been one of the hottest artists on that chart up to that point – she had 11 consecutive top 10 easy listening hits from 1973’s country-infused “Let Me Be There” through 1977’s elegant ballad “Sam.” If easy listening radio stations in 1978 weren’t sure what to make of “You’re the One That I Want,” that might just be the best indication of the success of her transformation. 23 on what was then Billboard ’s Easy Listening (now Adult Contemporary) chart. “You’re the One That I Want” stalled at No. The Billboard charts reflected the change in Newton-John’s approach. One of the most compelling aspects of “You’re the One That I Want” is the clipped way that Newton-John and Travolta deliver the title phrase. Her taut vocal on the track de-emphasized the pretty quality of her voice and showcased its dynamics. “You’re the One That I Want” proved that she did. “I Honestly Love You” (1974) | “Have You Never Been Mellow” (1975) | “Magic” (1980) | “Physical” (1981)Ĭritics often pointed to the “whispery” quality of Newton-John’s voice on her first hit, a cover of Bob Dylan’s “If Not for You,” and assumed that was because she didn’t have firepower to offer. Its only real rival among male/female duets in terms of dynamics was “Whenever I Call You ‘Friend’” by Kenny Loggins featuring Stevie Nicks. ![]() It was the biggest, but also the most dynamic and charged. The song was the hottest male/female duet from 1978 in more ways than one. Newton-John sings “You’re the One That I Want” with unexpected stamina and power. 1 hits, the glossy ballad “I Honestly Love You” and the wistful, easy-tempo ballad “Have You Never Been Mellow.” To borrow a line from my liner notes for the 2005 ONJ collection Gold, the throbbing, gaudy hit is a little like eating junk food at a carnival – like the one in the “You’re the One That I Want” film sequence – not nutritious, but what fun! The exhilarating – you might even say “electrifying” – duet was light years from Newton-John’s first two No. 1 for the week ending June 10, its 11th week on the chart, dislodging another male/female duet, Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams’ “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late.” 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.) That same week (April l), “You’re the One That I Want” was the top new entry on the Hot 100 at No. īillboard made “You’re the One That I Want” the top singles pick in the following week’s issue – ahead of another notable release, Wings’ “With a Little Luck” (which also would make it to No. (Travolta, of course, starred in both films.) RSO seemed to know it had a winner in “You’re the One That I Want.” “The ‘1’ You’ve Been Waiting For,” headlined a full-page ad that ran in the March 25 issue of Billboard. RSO Records saw in Grease the makings of another blockbuster soundtrack like Saturday Night Fever, which it had also released. After Grease, her peers were the top female artists of the late ’70s and early ’80s - Linda Ronstadt, Donna Summer, Barbra Streisand and Pat Benatar. It paved the way for a second run of hits – more rhythmic, more contemporary – including “A Little More Love,” “Deeper Than the Night,” “Make a Move on Me” and of course “Physical.” Before Grease, Newton-John was seen as an adult contemporary-leaning pop star, in the same lane with Helen Reddy and the Carpenters. The single also marked a bold style change for Newton-John, whose early country and pop hits were much tamer. “You’re the One That I Want” is the moment when the prim-and-proper Sandy becomes va-va-va-voom sexy, with black spandex pants that seemed painted on and a cigarette dangling from her lips that she later stamps out with her red, open-toed stiletto mules. Unbeknownst to him, Sandy has transformed into a hot biker chick to win back Danny. Understanding the fine points of the plot of Grease is certainly not essential to enjoying this track, but for the few readers who have somehow managed not to see the film, here’s the set-up: Danny Zuko, played by John Travolta, has recently lettered in cross-country in an effort to win back his estranged girlfriend Sandy. ![]() “You’re the One That I Want” was a game-changing single for Olivia Newton-John, just as it was a song of transformation for Sandy Olsson, the character she played in Grease. ![]()
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