If Not For You by Olivia Newton-John

If Not For You

1971

Olivia Newton John

I adore Taylor Swift...she's lovely, massively talented, down to earth, awesome to her fans, and is one of the few singers today that even threatens to approach the outskirts of the awesomeness that was Seventies music. Many also say she's the first true female Country-Pop cross-over artist. And to that last little item I say... Say What??

Sorry , Tay...I love ya and your music, but you got beat to the punch in a BIG way on that one about 42 years ago. There was another beautiful and talented blond singer who was all of the above, and she was part of the awesomeness that was Seventies Music!

She was born in England, grew up as an Aussie, and hit it big in the States...And she's still a very lovely lady, and can still carry a tune.

Of course I'm talking about Olivia Newton John, who was already a platinum selling, much adored young lady well on her way to being a Seventies icon when she and John Travolta starred in that, er, obscure little musical about a bad boy and a good girl from the Fifties that I blogged about a month or two back.

Her first US hit was actually a cover of a Bob Dylan song that was also covered by former Beatle George Harrison. And 'Liv didn't want to cover it. I'm talking she absolutely hated the song, and had to be cajoled into covering it by both her managers and her fiancee'. And when she did finally record it, she didn't think she sang it well.

Olivia covered the George Harrison version of the song when she recorded it, and it's a good thing she finally did record it, because when that sweet voice started oozing from radio speakers back just before Christmas, 1971, crooning 'If Not For youuuuu' with that little touch of Aussie accent here and there,...well we fell in love with it. And her. Oh not to the extent we would a few years down the road, but enough to let her just crack the top 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and top the Adult Contemporary charts. Liv's version kicked both Dylan's and George Harrison's versions butts very handily, by the way.

Neither of the other versions were released as singles in the U.S., and they were overshadowed by Liv's cover version then, and are to this day.

Liv (Or 'Livvie', as she was called by friends, family, and fans in Australia) didn't know it yet but she was well on her way to being the '70s icon that she very definitely is.

Sadly, 'If Not For You' seems to have fallen off the radar as far as Oldies stations are concerned, but I think most of us 'Seventies Refugees' remember it coming out. And the guys thought how lovely her voice was and loved her for her mind because, after all, she was the granddaughter of Physicist Max Born. Those lovely eyes, that beautiful smile, and the fact that she was perky, adorable, vivacious and...well...cute as a button had nothing to do with what us guys thought of her! (Sure...) Nothing I say! (Right, Rob...keep on tellin' em!...)

Anyway...To bad you don't hear it much at all anymore. Livvie nailed it when she recorded it, even if she didn't think so! And We, The Kids Of The Seventies, began to fall in love with her for it.

So enjoy! If Not For You, by Olivia Newton John

And as a bonus...a live performance from an Australian variety show when Livvie returned home back in 1971/ Watch her in this and you understand why all us guys fell head over heels for her.

A couple of interesting little factoids about 'If Not For You'

Supposedy, Liv had her dog in the booth with her when 'If Not For You' was recorded...and of course he knocked over a music stand. They kept it in because it wasn't that noticeable...but you can hear it, if know to listen for it, right after the instrumental bridge.

This song was requested so much by military wives as a dedication to their husbands, who were serving in Vietnam, that some radio stations had to put a limit of ten or so requests a day on it.

Let Me Be There by Olivia Newton-John

Let Me Be There

1973

Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John fell off the charts for a couple of years after she released 'If Not For You'. Oh, she was still as lovely, her voice still as sweet and pretty, and everyone loved that Aussie accent...but her single releases just didn't quite jell for some reason. They didn't, anyway, until 1973 when she teamed up with Songwriter John Rostill and vocalist Mike Sammes, who sang bass harmony on a couple of her hits, and released her first true Country-Pop cross over hit...Let Me Be There.

Let Me Be There was not actually written as a crossover song...it was written as a Country song. Not only was it written as a Country song, it cracked the top 10 on the Country charts (#7 there) and won her the Grammy for Best Female Country Vocalist. And when you listen to the song...well it is a country song. There's really nothing about Pop about it. From that familiar, and catchy guitar lead in and instrumental accompaniment to the tempo and beat. “let Me Be There' was solid, classic, 70's Country.

Then 'Some Record-Spinnin' Dee-Jay' somewhere on a Top 40 station got hold of it and played it...and it got more Top-40 airplay...and we realized 'Our Livvie is back!!!' And, at least when she was singing, Top 40 music had a sudden Country flair to it.

I can't remember exactly when 'Let Me Be There' came out in '73, but I definitely remember it suddenly being all over WLEE and WRVQ, who were still vying for Top 40 listeners in Richmond, Va and environs there-of. (Though 'Q-94' was pulling away from 'Big LEE' in a big way by then.). And I remember people not being able to resist finger snapping, and bopping to it (Whether they wanted to or not...lot's of Liv's music had that effect on you!)

Seventies Kids just fell in love with Olivia and her music. She was a certifiable babe, and her music was light, fun, infectious and effervescent. 'Let Me Be There' climbed the charts to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 without even breaking a sweat, doing one position better than it's Country chart performance when it did so. And to show just how much we loved her, we bought both the single,as well as the album that 'Let Me Be There' was the title track of. The single was certified 'Gold' on February 8^th, 1974, and the album followed 7 months later, on October 14^th. Liv was on the Hot 100 to stay for awhile.

You'll still hear this occasionally on the Oldies stations, especially if they have a 'Hits of The Seventies' feature, or feature the top songs of 1973. It's just as light and fun now, 40 years after it was released, as it was back in '73, and it's always fun to hear it and remember when America fell head over heels in love with a cute Australian singer named 'Livvie'

So enjoy! With some pictures of Lovely Liv (There can never be too many of those!) Let Me Be There, by Olivia Newton John.

And as a bonus, a live performance from England, recorded in 1973.

Bonus Two! Another live performance from Australia in 2004. Still lovely, still awesome! Don't let the slow intro fool, ya! She solid kicks it at 1:10! I know ya sang along...and you were grinning ear-ear after watching this!

If You Love Me Let Me Know by Olivia Newton-John

If You Love Me Let Me Know

1974

Olivia Newton John

Olivia Newton-John followed up 'Let Me Be There's' 1973 success with a tune from the exact same team...John Rostill writing, and Mike Sammes backing her up with a bass harmony.

The song, of course, was 'If You Love Me (Let Me Know), the title track of her fifth album (Which, BTW, topped both the US Pop and Country charts). Like 'Let Me Be There'. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) was pure country. It had that same twangy guitar and a very similar feel to it...and like it's cross-over predecessor, it crossed over and became a huge hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at # 5 (This time around, the country chart position beat the Hot 100...'If You Love Me (Let Me Know)' made it to #2 on the Country charts. Oh, it also made it to # 2 on the easy listening chart.)

Also like it's predecessor, it was light, fun, and solid country...truly, there's really very little that's 'Pop' about either song!

Apparently we really didn't care about that distinction, because we Seventies Kids bought over a million copies of 'If You Love Me (Let Me Know)' to give Liv her second Gold record. The song was released in mid-1974 and was all over 'Q-94 (Which had kicked AM former Richmond Top-40 powerhouse to the curb by then) that summer.

Also like 'Let Me Be There', it'll show up on Oldies stations occasionally, usually when a given year's hits are featured, or they have a replay of American Top 40 from the right week (Every Sunday morning on 107.3 in the Richmond area, BTW ). It's another classic Oldie that you never hear enough.

So Enjoy! If You Love Me (Let Me Know) by Olivia Newton John

Bonus Numero Uno...Liv performing 'If You Love Me (Let Me Know)' live back in 1974

Bonus Numero Dos...Liv performing 'If You Love Me (Let Me Know)' in 2006. Only thing I don't like is it's shortened by nearly two minutes...But she still had it 7 years ago, and she's still got it now!

I Honestly Love You by Olivia Newton John

I Honestly Love You

1974

Olivia Newton-John

If You Love Me (Let Me Know) wasn't the only single released from the album...and it wasn't the highest charting single either...not by a long shot.

Ask just about any true Olivia Newton John fan what their favorite O.N.J. Song is and the song featured in this post will probably be their reply. Liv pulled away from her Country sound on the album's fourth track with a slow, soulful love ballad about a young lady telling the guy she loves how much she loves him, even though both of them are with someone else. And while she was at it she created what would become her signature song and cemented her place in ours hearts as America's Mid-Seventies Sweetheart.

I Honestly Love You was penned in a collaboration between American songwriter Jeff Barry (Liza Minnelli’s hubby for a while) and Australian singer/ songwriter Peter Allen. It wasn't written for liv...but it was sent to Liv's producer John Ferrar as a demo tape. In fact, it was one of many demo tapes he'd been sent, and he just happened to pick it out of the crowd. Liv...and her millions of fans...are truly glad he did.

As I noted above, many of...I'll even say the majority of...of Liv's fans consider 'I Honestly Love You' to be her best effort, and proved it when they took the song to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on October 5^th, 1974...just a scosh over five months after it's release on April 28^th of that same year. While we were at it, we made it Platinum with a little over two million copies sold. (Remember, this was before CDs and digital sales. All of the sales were on vinyl. And yes...I had the album.). The song also snagged the Grammy for Record Of The Year and Liv took home the Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Liv's soulful voice, telling her forbidden love how she felt about him, crooned sweetly from radio speakers all summer long, multiple times an hour. Trust me when I say a few million guys imagined she was singing sright to them when she sang it. Mid summer in the mid-Seventies? The US...specifically the kids in the US...really loved Livvie.

'I Honestly Love You' will pop up occasionally on Oldies stations...never often enough, though, and it's always a treat when it does.

So enjoy! I Honestly Love You by Olivia Newton John.

First bonus...Liv performs 'I Honestly Love You' live on the Andy Williams Show in September 1974, just before she topped the Hot 100 with it.

Second Bonus...When you perform your signature song with the accompaniment of the signature symphony orchestra of your home country...you are an icon. Olivia Newton John performs 'I Honestly Love You with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in 2012.

Have You Never Been Mellow, by Olivia Newton John

Have You Never Been Mellow

1975

Olivia Newton-John

'Have You Never Been Mellow''s another one that most people automatically think of when they think 'Olivia Newton John Hits'. Liv turned back to John Farrar's song writing talents for this one, which chronicles her attempt to get a friend who has a serious Type A personality to slow down and enjoy life.

She hit it slam out of the park. The song was released on January 21^st, 1975 and shot up the charts as we Seventies Kids went wild for it, sending it to #1 in March '75, only two months after it's release. It also topped the Adult Contemporary chart, and made it to #3 on the Country chart.

I've always found it interesting that this one charted on the Country charts...unlike Let Me Be There and If You Love Me (Let Me Know), I never really heard any country tendencies in Have You Never Been Mellow, and felt it was pure Pop, all the way...but Liv's Country fans love her just as much as we do (And there are just as many of 'em, if not more!) and they embraced it just as tightly as The Seventies Kids.

The song's not quite a ballad...it's too up-tempo...but it's still mellow and soothing, and like all of Liv's songs, a treat. Her music had (And still has) that ability to brighten your day and improve your mood just by be being there.

'I actually heard 'Have You Never Been Mellow' on 107.3 (WBBT...Big Oldies 107.3, Richmond) while I was on the way home from work the other night...it was an unexpected and pleasant treat, because the song's all but disappeared form the Oldies Station play-lists. Sad that it has, because it really is that good. But it's still on Liv's playlist. Yep, if you're lucky enough to get to hear her in concert, she still sings it. And it still sounds just as good.

So Enjoy! Have You Never Been Mellow, By Olivia Newton John. This video was shot on a Highway in Liv's homeland of Australia, By The Way...hence everyone driving on the 'wrong' side of the road.

Bonus One A live performance of 'Have You Never Been Mellow' from 1975

Bonus Two...proving she's still got it...a March 2013 live performance from Royal Albert Hall in london.

Please Mr Please by Olivia Newton John

Please Mr. Please

1975

Olivia Newton John

I'm one of those rebel fans who doesn't consider 'I Honestly Love You' his favorite ONJ tune. I Honestly Love You is a beautiful and soulful ballad, and it aims right at your soul...but then again, all of Liv's music is classically awesome, IMHO. However, if I consider 'I Honestly Love You' a, say, 9.8, this one's the '10'. It's just...well...fun!

All of us have been there...you're absolutely in love with the absolute perfect gal/guy, and there's a song that you consider 'your' song...then you break up and every time you turn on a radio/start you car/walk into a bar or club you hear that song. The very song that you never ever want to hear again.

Liv took that concept and ran with it when she covered this one (Yep...'Please Mr. Please' is a cover!) And when she covered it she scored her fifth consecutive Billboard Hot 100 hit (#3), fifth consecutive Gold (Or better) selling hit, and forth cross-over hit scoring on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Country charts. (#5 on the Country charts). This would be her last Top 10 hit for three years, until she hit it big on the Big Screen in 'Grease'

Long held rumor has it Liv actually inspired the song she'd end up covering. 'Please Mr Please' was penned by John Rostill and Liv's former fiancee' Bruce Welch, for Bruce Welch...right after the two of them broke up. Think he may have been thinkin' about someone specific when he wrote it???

Welch recorded it...and went nowhere with it. Really, has anyone ever even heard the Bruce Welch version? Anyone? Anyone? Thought not! (Unfortunate, actually, because his version really is good!)

So they handed it of to Liv and she recorded it and MCA released it hot on the heels of 'Have You Never Been Mellow' hitting #1. This one was about as pure country as you can get! Listen to it, and just try to find any 'Pop' artifact at all. It's a country song! And ya know what?

We didn't care. Liv's sweet mellow voice was soulfully pleading 'Please Mr, Pleasssse....Don't Play BEEE-EEEEE-Seventeeen...' on radios tuned to the Mega-Top 40 stations of the era all summer long, cracking the top ten and peaking at #3 in August of '75 (And beating it's Country chart position by 2 points while it was at it). Young ladies would sing along to the chorus in bikini-clad groups poolside, sometimes singing it in pretty decent sounding harmony, and you could just about bet you'd hear it at least once an hour on Richmond's 'Q-94'. 'Please Mr Please' would hang around the top 40 for a total of 12 weeks...and in the hearts and minds of Liv's fans for 38 years. From what I've heard it's still a Jukebox favorite in some country bars.

Wish it'd show up on the Oldies stations more often, because you almost never hear it anymore. Be kinda nice to hear that twangy instrumental opening and know Liv was getting ready to tell us about that Jukebox, and the song that's weighing heavy on her mind.

So Enjoy! Please Mr Please, by Olivia Newton John. And you absolutely know you sang along with this one!

Da first Bonus...A live performance from 1982. Liv ownin' it live! (Just wish the audio didn't cut it short by a couple of seconds at the end!)

Da third Bonus! Liv singing Please Mr Please live in Sept 2012...accompanied by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. She only sang the first verse here, but she still rocked it!

And on this one, a fourth bonus! The Bruce Welch version of 'Please Mr Please'