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)
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