Busybee's Playlist

On Monday afternoon, 8 August 2022, Olivia Newton-John bid us adieu to roll down forever in Xanadu.

After a strenuous battle with breast cancer, Newton-John passed away surrounded by family and loved ones at her ranch in Southern California.

Grammy winner with an unmatchable voice that stands out as her own, she was a singer, actress, and activist who dominated our screens and record players for several decades.

How I came to know Olivia Newton-John was through the 1978 hit movie adaptation of the Broadway play, Grease.

I was 10 years old, rummaging through my parents’ DVD collection when I came across this colourful image on a pink box case and the word “Grease” written on it.

Curious, I put it on to see what it was about. Quickly catching on that it was a musical about teenagers set in 1950s USA, I quickly became hooked — much to my mother’s dismay.

Given that this musical is not exactly tame, and a lot of suggestive comments as well as sexual scenes are shown, she wasn’t very happy with the fact that I was not getting off the couch until I finished the movie. So instead, she would sit down with me, and we would sing “Summer Nights” together, sometimes even attempting to dance in the same way.

She would always tell me, “See how he lies? Be wary of men.”

Ironically, my favourite character was not Sandy Olsson, the young preppy blonde girl from Sydney, Australia with a calm demeanor, and a gentle smile.

As most of you probably guessed it, I gravitated towards Rizzo, the infamous pink lady who everyone points fingers at and judges.

And while there has been many-a-discussions over the Grease movie promoting sexist, misogynistic ideals (with people forgetting that it’s supposed to be set in the 1950s where the glamour stopped at the pretty fluffy dresses and the leather jackets), one thing I always liked in this movie was how Rizzo warmed up to Sandy at the end, realizing that “Sandra Dee” might not be so bad after all.

And I think that is something we all can relate to, when watching Grease throughout different times of our lives.

What makes Newton-John’s Sandy so timeless is captivating is the kindness behind every word, the sincerity and unapologetic attitude towards who she is. Something that, although it may be the description used for the character in general, Newton-John perfectly portrayed in the movie rendition.

And it is no secret that the movie’s soundtrack is timeless, with hit songs that get every generation up on their feet and moving to the beat.

But those who don’t know, will be surprised to find out that the two most famous singles were not in the original Broadway production.

“You’re the One that I Want” and “Hopelessly Devoted to You” were written by Newton-John’s producer at the time, John Farrar — two hits that shot her to fame, and have become staples in the music scenes.

“Hopelessly Devoted to You” shows Sandy’s lament on Frenchie’s porch, confessing to the wind her devotion to Danny in spite of his lies and embarrassing degradation of her in front of his friends. Clad in a long white conservative loose dressing gown, her hair blow dried neatly, falling down just right on her shoulders. She is the picture perfect good girl, nursing a heartbreak.

In direct contrast, “You’re the One that I Want” where she sings opposite co-star John Travolta in the role of Danny, Sandy needs nobody’s pity. Dressed in head-to-toe form-fitting black, in an ensemble that has inspired so many Halloween costumes and can now be found auctioned for hundred thousands dollars, Sandy is sexiness incarnate. Smokey eye, a cigarette dangling from her red lips, and a seductress demeanour that was not there throughout the movie, she rules the screen.

Both sides of Sandy were so perfectly embodied by the singer, to the point where one even notices the subtle change in her voice when she sings both songs. Aside from the fact that one is about heartbreak, and the other is a fun ballad about finally admitting to one’s feeling, Newton-John’s pitch morphs perfectly into the lyrics no matter what they are.

If you listen to “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” you truly believe she is battling her own indecisiveness concerning Danny, and even wondering whether she can ever let him go or accept him as he is.

I know I’m just a fool, who’s willing
To sit around and wait for you
But baby can’t you see
There’s nothing else for me to do?
I’m hopelessly devoted to you

Whereas in “You’re the One that I Want,” she is calling the shots. She has a grip on her desires, and is not afraid to express them or impose on Danny an all-or-nothing attitude.

You better shape up
Cause I need a man
And my heart is set on you
You better shape up
You better understand
To my heart I must be true

Olivia Newton-John has dominated the music scene with many other hits, but Grease was my childhood and she was very much part of it.

May she rest easy as we remain hopelessly devoted to her on this earth.