Olivia Newton-John could also be remembered for her starring position in Grease or her chart-topping pop hits, however there was rather more to the singer and actress.
Newton-John, who died Aug. 8 on the age of 73, started her musical profession as a young person, showing on native tv exhibits in Australia, the place her household had immigrated from England when she was six.
In 1971, Newton-John launched her debut album — the primary of 26 studio albums she’d launch in her profession. From day-one, the singer displayed a consolation with different artist’s work, usually recording a releasing covers amongst her personal authentic materials. Under, we have assembled Olivia Newton John’s 10 Finest Basic Rock Covers.
‘The Lengthy and Winding Street’
Newton-John delivers a flawless, breathy supply of this Beatles basic, launched on her 1976 album Come on Over. Although the association is essentially the identical because the Fab 4’s authentic, Newton-John provides her personal model of vulnerability and pop sensibility to the tune. Paul McCartney famously penned “The Lengthy and Winding Street” whereas reflecting on the problems which might ultimately break up the Beatles. In Newton-John’s hand’s, the observe takes on a unique vibe, extra reflective of a romantic relationship falling aside.
‘Me and Bobby McGee’
The opening tune to Newton-John’s debut album is that this upbeat model of “Me and Bobby McGee.” The observe, penned by Kris Kristofferson and made well-known by Janis Joplin, will get a quicker tempo within the fingers of Newton-John. As is so typically the case along with her covers, Newton-John injects a sweetness to the tune, giving it a constructive feeling regardless of the lyrics’ inherent disappointment.
‘Why Do not You Write Me’
For her sophomore album, 1972’s Olivia, Newton-John lined a number of notable rockers. Amongst them, Simon & Garfunkel, who had initially launched “Why Don’t You Write Me” on their beloved 1970 LP Bridge Over Troubled Water. It’s one of many extra upbeat tracks from the duo’s LP, bouncing alongside to a breezy, reggae-influenced rhythm. Newton-John places her personal spin on the tune by including a barely nation twang, together with honky-tonk piano within the instrumentation.
‘God Solely Is aware of’
With its great harmonies, poignant lyrics and distinctive Baroque-pop association, “God Solely Is aware of” is likely one of the most celebrated songs ever recorded. The observe, penned by Brian Wilson and launched on the Seaside Boys seminal 1966 LP Pet Sounds, has been lined by a big selection of artists through the years. Newton-John launched her model in 1974 on her fourth studio album, Lengthy Reside Love. With a purpose to faithfully honor the Seaside Boys’ harmonies, the singer layered her vocal components, impressively recreating the tune’s distinctive sounds.
‘What Is Life’
George Harrison’s Prime 10 hit “What Is Life” was one of many many highlights from the 1970 basic All Issues Should Go. Newton-John’s model is poppier, carried out in a barely completely different key and missing the rockier edges to Harrison’s authentic. Nonetheless, the observe suits her like a glove, because the uplifting tune and its romantic lyrics align with the singer’s healthful demeanor. Newton-John clearly thought extremely of the quiet Beatle — a lot that “What Is Life” was not the one Harrison cowl featured on her 1972 LP Olivia.
‘Behind That Locked Door’
“Behind That Locked Door” could be the second Harrison cowl included on Olivia. The previous Beatle leaned into nation compositions with the unique, a mode Newton-John embraced even additional on her rendition. The singer’s cowl options strings, acoustic guitar and emotive vocal harmonies.
‘If Not for You’
Newton-John’s first hit in America was this rendition of Bob Dylan’s “If Not For You.” Apart from the apparent variations in vocal model, Newton-John’s model notably deviates from the unique’s association, eradicating the tune’s harmonica half and as a substitute relying on slide guitar. Newton-John clearly thought extremely of the observe, opting to call her debut album If Not for You. Her rendition reached No. 1 on the Scorching AC chart, and peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Scorching 100. The model beneath comes from a 1971 TV look.
‘Come on Over’
There have been loads of similarities between the Bee Gees and Newton-John. The Gibb brothers, like Newton-John, had been born in England, however relocated to Australia at a younger age. Each acts would later begin their journey to fame Down Below, embraced by Australian audiences earlier than invading the remainder of the world. And each artists loved experimenting with completely different genres. Whereas the Bee Gees will all the time be linked with their disco heights, the band’s catalog is plagued by high quality rock tunes. Amongst them, “Come On Over,” a ballad from their 1975 album Most important Course. Launched because the title observe to Newton-John’s seventh studio album, her rendition peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard Scorching 100. The Bee Gees and Newton-John would stay shut buddies through the years. The band famously scored successful with “Grease” the titular tune to the 1978 movie which Newton-John starred in. The singer/actress was additionally recognized to usually collaborate with Barry Gibb, becoming a member of him on stage on quite a few events.
‘Gimme Some Lovin”
For the 1978 album Completely Scorching — her first launch for the reason that enormous success of Grease — Newton-John enlisted a who’s-who of session musicians. Amongst them, Toto members Steve Lukather and David Hungate, each of whom performed on this cowl of the Spencer Davis Group’s “Gimme Some Lovin’.” The rendition is undeniably enjoyable, with Newton-John clearly embracing the thrill surrounding her profession on the time. Lukather would play on lots of the singer’s largest hits, together with “A Little Extra Love” and “Bodily.”
‘If You May Learn My Thoughts’
Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot scored his first Canadian No. 1 in 1970 with “If You May Learn My Thoughts.” The tune would peak at No. 5 within the U.S., constructing Lightfoot’s notoriety in America. Newton-John launched her model of “If You May Learn My Thoughts” on her debut album, delivering the tune in country-pop style. “If You May Learn My Thoughts” would discover itself on the heart of controversy in 1987 when Lightfoot sued the composer of Whitney Houston’s hit “The Best Love of All,” alleging plagiarism over some strikingly related segments of the songs. The case was ultimately settled out of court docket.
