John Travolta And Olivia Newton-John Reunite For New Christmas Album - Noise11.com
Olivia Newton-John - Photo By Ros O'Gorman

Olivia Newton-John - Photo By Ros O'Gorman

John Travolta And Olivia Newton-John Reunite For New Christmas Album

by Roger Wink, VVN Music on October 3, 2012

in New Music,News

Yes, you read that right.

Olivia Newton-John - Photo By Ros O'Gorman

Olivia Newton-John - Photo By Ros O'Gorman

John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John have reunited, 35 years after their roles as Sandy Olsen and Danny Zuko in Grease, for a new Christmas album benefiting both of their personal charities. Proceeds will go to the Jett Travolta Foundation and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne, Australia.

The album was produced by veteran keyboardist/arranger/orchestrator Randy Waldman who said it was the audio equivalent of one of those old network TV specials hosted from a stars home. To add to the festivities, the album includes guest appearances from Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett and the Count Basie Orchestra, James Taylor, Chick Corea, Kenny G and Cliff Richard.

Also on the album is the one original song, I Think You Might Like It, called a sequel to the pair’s number one hit You’re the One That I Want. Both songs were written by John Farrar, who worked extensively with Newton-John over her career. Travolta commented “John Farrar was just as hard on me now as he was then. We went for perfection on it.”

Newton-John added “It was really fun to do that. If it wasn’t for that song, we wouldn’t be here talking about it 30 years later.”

The idea for the collection came from Travolta after receiving a Christmastime text from his old friend Olivia noting that their 1978 smash, You’re the One That I Want, had just become the best-selling duet in pop music history. “From the moment we decided to do this, magic happened,” says Travolta. “Everyone we contacted agreed to do it.”

“It just fell into place,” added Newton-John, a four-time Grammy winner, who has scored five No. 1 singles and two chart-topping albums, selling a total of more than 100 million albums worldwide. “With our busy schedules, I don’t know how we got it done. John and I have always connected. That’s never gone away. When we’re together, we have a good laugh and feel bonded to one another. We’ve been through some amazing experiences together.”

“My desire was to make This Christmas an intimate album, not something too ostentatious or showy,” says Travolta, who early in his career was featured as an actor/singer/dancer with the touring company of Grease. “I wanted people to be able to play it around the house or in the car during the holidays, and make us part of your celebration. Gathering around house listening to Christmas music has always been an important part of that time of the year to my family.”

Track List:

  • Baby It’s Cold Outside
  • Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree (featuring Kenny G)
  • I’ll Be Home for Christmas (featuring Barbra Streisand)
  • This Christmas (featuring Chick Corea)
  • Silent Night
  • The Christmas Waltz
  • Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (featuring Cliff Richard)
  • Winter Wonderland (featuring Tony Bennett and The Count Basie Orchestra)
  • White Christmas
  • I Think You Might Like It
  • The Christmas Song
  • Deck the Halls (featuring James Taylor)
  • Auld Lang Syne/Christmas Time Is Here (Medley)

Related Posts

Barbra Streisand
RBG Award After Barbra Streisand Objects To Murdoch and Musk Nominations

Not soon after Barbra Streisand, the winner of the 2023 Ruth Bader Ginsberg Award, protested about Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch receiving the 2024 award Musk and Murdoch were eliminated.

March 19, 2024
Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand To Release Her Memoirs

Barbra Streisand has finally confirmed a release date for her memoir.

February 8, 2023
To Barbra With Love MSO
Katie Noonan and Caroline O’Connor To Perform The Music of Barbra Streisand With The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will mark the 80th birthday of legend Barbra Streisand with an event featuring Katie Noonan, Caroline O’Connor, Elise McCann and Ryan Gonzalez.

February 21, 2022
Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand Wan’t Impressed With Beyonce’s ‘The Way We Were’

Barbra Streisand wasn't dazzled by Beyoncé's first take on her hit song The Way We Were at an event back in 2008.

August 23, 2021
Richard Marx played Melbourne on Saturday 11 June 2016. Photo by Ros O'Gorman
Richard Marx Wrote ‘Right Here Waiting’ For Barbra Streisand And She Turned It Down

Barbra Streisand turned down the chance to record Richard Marx hit Right Here Waiting.

July 8, 2021
Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand Gifts Family Of George Floyd Disney Stock

Barbra Streisand has presented Disney shares to the young daughter of slain Minnesota man George Floyd.

June 16, 2020
Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand To Headline Joe Biden Fundraiser

Barbra Streisand and John Legend will lend their support to U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden at the politician's forthcoming fundraiser.

May 29, 2020