“You never know when your time is over; we all have a finite amount of time on this planet, and we just need to be grateful for that.”
Olivia Newton-John (26 September 1948 – 8 August 2022) was a singer, actress and activist. She was a four-time Grammy Award winner whose music career included five number one hits and another ten Top Ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and two number one albums. With global sales of more than 100 million records, Olivia Newton-John is one of the best-selling music artists from the second half of the 20th century to the present.
Olivia Newton-John’s career reached giddier new heights when she starred in the 1978 film 'Grease', achieving two UK Official Singles Chart Number 1s that year. The 'Grease' soundtrack went on to top the UK Official Album Chart and sold over 25 million copies worldwide. Olivia Newton-John would top the UK chart again in 1980, performing the song 'Xanadu'. Her most successful solo album 'Physical' followed in 1981, which was one of the first video albums, and earned her another Grammy Award the following year.
She will be sadly missed.
This short quiz celebrates some of Olivia Newton-John's greatest hits.
NB. Click on the first image to open a slide show.
Also. Ask questions before playing the songs.
'If Not For You', 1971
1. Who wrote this song?
a. Bob Dylan
b. Paul McCartney
c. Elton John
'Take Me Home Country Roads', 1973
2. Who wrote this song?
a. Dolly Parton
b. John Denver
c. Johnny Cash
FACTOID. As a child Olivia Newton-John had developed a fascination with animals and harboured ambitions to be a vet but she found science a struggle at school and abandoned the idea.
3. True or False. Olivia Newton-John's nickname was Olivia Neutron-Bomb?
'Long Live Love', 1974
4. This song came fourth in the 'Eurovision Song Contest', but which came first?
a. 'Waterloo', ABBA
b. 'Puppet On A String', Sandy Shaw
c. 'Boom Bang A Bang', Lulu
FACTOID. In 1974 she was named 'Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year', seeing off competition from Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and Tanya Tucker.
'I Honestly Love You', 1974
5. This song won a Grammy for what?
a. Best Lyrics Of The Year
b. Best Video Of The Year
c. Best Song Of The Year
FACTOID. This was her first number 1 in the USA. In the UK it reached number 22.
'Sam', 1977
6. What was this song about?
a. A break up
b. A one night stand
c. A pet rat
'You're The One That I Want', 1978
7. True or False. Olivia Newton-John's famous black pants in the movie 'Grease' literally had to be sewn on?
'Summer Nights', 1978
8. Which character did Olivia play in the movie 'Grease'?
a. Sandy Olsson
b. Betty Rizzo
c. Frenchy
9. True or False. Olivia Newton-John nearly turned down 'Grease' because she felt she was too old to play the part of a student.
'Hopelessly Devoted To You', 1978
10. Which character in the movie 'Grease' did Olivia sing this song about?
a. Kenickie Murdoch
b. Danny Zuko
c. Doody
FACTOID. After filming the movie 'Grease' together, Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta became life long friends.
'Xanadu', 1980
11. Which band performed on this song alongside Olivia?
a. E.L.O.
b. The Bee Gees
c. The Beach Boys
'Suddenly', 1980
12. Who dueted with Olivia on this song?
a. Cliff Richard
b. David Cassidy
c. Donny Osmond
'Physical', 1981
13. In the video for this song, which two clothing accessories did Olivia wear in addition to her leotard?
a. Baseball cap & American football shirt
b. Swimming arm bands & Flippers
c. Headband & Leg warmers
'The Promise', 1981
14. How old was Olivia Newton-John when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer (she died aged 73)?
a. 44
b. 54
c. 64
FACTOID. Olivia Newton-John's 'Cancer Wellness & Research Centre', which opened in June 2012, has provided care and support to thousands of patients. Todd Harper, Chief Executive said:
“Olivia was a pioneer in the cancer field and her work provided inspiration for many. Her advocacy enabled the work of dedicated scientists advancing scientific discoveries and offered hope to many affected by a cancer diagnosis.
She led the focus on wellness and the importance of physical, emotional and spiritual support, not only for the person going through a cancer diagnosis but their carers, families and friends.
Olivia’s impact can’t be overstated, and her legacy will continue in the work of world-leading research, treatment and care.”
And finally ... as Olivia Newton-John sang at the 2000 Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony, "Dare To Dream"...
'Dare To Dream'
15. What nationality was Olivia Newton-John?
a. British-Australian
b. Australian-American
c. American-British
FACTOID. Newton-John was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1979 New Year Honours and made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to charity, cancer research and entertainment.
'Grease Mega Mix', 1990
This is a dance track, so you know what to do!
There is a lovely CNN newsreel link here, which has some lovely facts and quotes about Olivia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrnbok-KZRs
ANSWERS
'If Not For You', 1971
1. Who wrote this song?
a. Bob Dylan *
b. Paul McCartney
c. Elton John
'Take Me Home Country Roads', 1973
2. Who wrote this song?
a. Dolly Parton
b. John Denver *
c. Johnny Cash
3. It is True. Olivia Neutron-Bomb is her nickname, according to the 'Urban Dictionary'.
'Long Live Love', 1974
4. This song came fourth in the 'Eurovision Song Contest', but which came first?
a. 'Waterloo', ABBA *
b. 'Puppet On A String', Sandy Shaw
c. 'Boom Bang A Bang', Lulu
'I Honestly Love You', 1974
5. This song won a Grammy for what?
a. Best Lyrics Of The Year
b. Best Video Of The Year
c. Best Song Of The Year * (& Best Vocal Performance)
'Sam', 1977
6. What was this song about?
a. A break up *
b. A one night stand
c. A pet rat
'You're The One That I Want', 1978
7. It is True that Olivia Newton-John's pants in the movie 'Grease' were so tight they literally had to be sewn on.
'Summer Nights', 1978
8. Which character did Olivia play in the movie 'Grease'?
a. Sandy Olsson *
b. Betty Rizzo
c. Frenchy
9. It is True that Olivia Newton-John nearly turned down 'Grease' because at the age of 28 she felt she was too old to play the part of a student. John Travolta, who was 23 at the time, persuaded her otherwise.
'Hopelessly Devoted To You', 1978
10. Which character in the movie 'Grease' did Olivia sing this song about?
a. Kenickie Murdoch
b. Danny Zuko *
c. Doody
'Xanadu', 1980
11. Which band performed on this song alongside Olivia?
a. E.L.O. *
b. The Bee Gees
c. The Beach Boys
'Suddenly', 1980
12. Who dueted with Olivia on this song?
a. Cliff Richard *
b. David Cassidy
c. Donny Osmond
'Physical', 1981
13. In the video for this song, which two clothing accessories did Olive wear in addition to her leotard?
a. Baseball cap & American football shirt
b. Swimming arm bands & Flippers
c. Headband & Leg warmers *
'The Promise', 1981
14. How old was Olivia Newton-John when she was diagnosed with breast cancer (she died aged 73?
a. 44 *
b. 54
c. 64
'Dare To Dream'
'Dare To Dream'
15. What nationality was Olivia Newton-John?
a. British-Australian * Born in Cambridge, England, Olivia Newton-John was officially British, but she moved with her parents to Melbourne, Australia, when she was five.
b. Australian-American
c. American-British
Rest In Peace Olivia 🕊 Thank you 💙
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