10 Of Olivia Newton-John’s Finest Country Songs, Ranked
Olivia Newton-John became an international superstar in the 1978 movie Grease, where she played Sandy and sang a number of classics, including “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” “Summer Nights,” and “You’re…
Olivia Newton-John became an international superstar in the 1978 movie Grease, where she played Sandy and sang a number of classics, including "Hopelessly Devoted to You," "Summer Nights," and "You're the One That I Want." But before that, she was a country music star. She won two Grammy Awards in country music categories, Female Vocalist for the CMA in 1976 and New Female Vocalist for the ACMs the same year.
As the world mourns her death this week, we look at ten of her most significant and best country hits.
10. "Jolene" (1976)
Keystone, Hutton Archives/Getty ImagesOlivia covered the Dolly Parton song three years after Dolly herself released it in 1973. The cover at the time got mixed reviews. Little known fact: Dolly covered Newton-John's "Let Me Be There" and sang it on her 1970's variety show, "Dolly."
9. "Come On Over" (1976)
MCA RecordsThe lead single from Olivia's seventh studio album of the same name. "Come On Over" peaked at #5 on the U.S. country chart.
8. "Let Me Be There" (1973)
MCA RecordsThis song was Newton-John's first Top 10 single in the U.S., peaking at No. 6, and won her a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocalist.
7. "If You Love Me (Let Me Know)" (1974)
MCA RecordsA number two country hit, "Let Me Be There" was nominated for the 1974 Country Music Association Award for Single of the Year.
6. "Have You Never Been Mellow" (1975)
MCA RecordsThis song shot to number three on the Hot Country Songs chart. "Have You Never Been Mellow" was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female at the 18th Annual Grammy Awards but lost to Janis Ian's "At Seventeen."
5. "Sam" (1977)
MCA Records"Sam" was released in January 1977 as the third and final single from Newton-John's eighth studio album, 'Don't Stop Believin'.' The song was considered pop but was also played at country stations.
4. "Let It Shine" (1975)
MCA RecordsOlivia's version was released as the second and final single from her sixth studio album, 'Clearly Love.' In January 1976, the single went to number five on the U.S. Country chart.
3. "Don't Stop Believin'" (1976)
MCA RecordsThis fantastic song went to number fourteen on the country chart. Newton-John re-recorded the track for her 2005 album 'Stronger Than Before.' She also titled her 2019 memoir after the song.
2. "Please Mr. Please" (1975)
MCA RecordsThe wonderful classic begins as an apparent tribute to the jukebox and how one can listen to a lot of great music for a low price. But instead of continuing along those lines, the song picks up on how some songs on the jukebox can trigger bad memories. The lyrics sing, "Please, Mr. please, don't play B-17 It was our song, it was his song, but it's over."
1. "I Honestly Love You" (1974)
MCA RecordsOlivia sang this song to end most of her concerts, telling fans how much she loved them. Her first number-one single in the United States and Canada. It remained her signature solo song until the 1981 pop hit "Physical."
