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Magic (Olivia Newton-John song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Magic
| cover = Magic Front.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Picture sleeve of the US and Australasian releases
| type = single
| artist = Olivia Newton-John
| album = Xanadu
| B-side =
| released =
| recorded = 1979
| studio =
| genre =
| length =
| label =
| writer = John Farrar
| producer = John Farrar
| prev_title = I Can't Help It
| prev_year = 1980
| next_title = Xanadu
| next_year = 1980
}}
"'Magic'" is a song recorded by British-Australian singer Olivia Newton-John for the soundtrack to the 1980 musical fantasy film, 'Xanadu'. Written and produced by John Farrar, the song was released as the lead single from the album in May 1980. It peaked at number one on the US 'Billboard' Hot 100 for four weeks beginning on August 2, 1980. On August 30, it was displaced from the top by Christopher Cross's "Sailing".
'Billboard' magazine ranked "Magic" as the third most popular single of 1980, behind only "Call Me" by Blondie and "Another Brick in the Wall, Part II" by Pink Floyd. In Canada, the single spent two weeks at number one on the 'RPM' Top Singles chart. It also reached number four in Australia and number 32 in the United Kingdom. The single also became Newton-John's biggest 'Billboard' Adult Contemporary hit to date, spending five weeks at the top of the chart, and also topped the 'RPM' Adult Contemporary chart for a week.
John Lennon named "Magic" and "All Over the World" as two recent songs he liked in a 'Newsweek' interview in September 1980, shortly before his death.
In a lawsuit involving the use of the song in a high school musical performance, the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals described the song as follows:
Both US and UK B-sides also appear in 'Xanadu':
*US: "Fool Country" is one of three single B-sides to appear in the film but not on the soundtrack album. This is featured in the nightclub grand opening segment following the movie title track and before its reprise.
*UK: "Whenever You're Away From Me" (with Gene Kelly), also appears as the B-side of the US "Xanadu" single.
Track listing and formats
*'US 7-inch vinyl single (MCA)'
#"Magic" 4:25
#"Fool Country" 2:29
*'UK 7-inch vinyl single (Jet)'
#"Magic" 4:25
#"Whenever You're Away from Me" 4:22
Personnel
* Olivia Newton-John lead and backing vocals
* John Farrar electric guitars, electric piano, synthesizers and backing vocals
* David Hungate bass
* Carlos Vega drums and percussion
'Additional personnel'
* Strings arranged and conducted by Richard Hewson
* David J. Holman engineering and mixing
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
All-time charts
Certifications and sales
2011 version
{{Infobox song
| name = Magic (Peach & DJ Dan Murphy remix)
| cover = MagicRemix.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Olivia Newton-John featuring Wacci
| album =
| released = 22 May 2011
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre = Electropop, dance-pop
| length = 3:37
| label =
| writer = John Farrar
| producer = DJ Dan Murphy, Steve Peach
| prev_title = Help Me to Heal
| prev_year = 2010
| next_title = When You Wish upon a Star
| next_year = 2011
| misc =
}}
"'Magic (Peach & DJ Dan Murphy remix)'" is a remix of the 1980 song. In May 2011, the song was remixed by two Australians, DJ Dan Murphy and Steve Peach, to create a dance version. Olivia went back to the studio to re-sing the vocals. The version was sponsored by WACCI, a humanitarian group.
Everybody who worked on the project volunteered their time, with all proceeds being donated to Olivia's charity, the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre.
Olivia was presented the world premiere of the song on Australian 'Dancing with the Stars' on Sunday 22 May 2011. The song was released exclusively on Australian iTunes, also on Sunday May 22.
Music video
A video was shot for the new remix in Sydney in an attempt to break the Guinness Book World Record for largest cast in a music video by featuring 350 people. Newton-John does not appear in the video, which was directed by DJ Dan Murphy.Charts
Covers
*The song is included in the film 'Xanadu' and also the 'Xanadu' musical.
*A version of the song by Stimulator was used in commercials for Macy's.[http://www.free-press-release.com/news-stimulator-signs-licensing-deal-with-macy-s-for-their-fall-find-your-magic-campaign-1282886875.html Free-press-release.com] Stimulator signs deal with Macy's for their "Find Your Magic" campaign This cover was also used in the film 'Ella Enchanted' and appeared on the film's soundtrack.
*Another updated version of the song was performed by Meaghan Martin for the Disney Channel Original Movie 'Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie'. It was subsequently included on the television series and the film's soundtrack album.
* In 2015, the singer/pianist character performed the song in Part I of the HBO mini-series Olive Kitteridge.
*In 2015 Newton-John teamed with her daughter Chloe Lattanzi and Dave Aude to rework the song's chorus into a new recording, "You Have to Believe". The song went to number one on the US Dance Club Songs chart.
*Juliana Hatfield covered the song on her album 'Juliana Hatfield Sings Olivia Newton-John'.
*In 2018, Delta Goodrem performed the song in the mini-series 'Olivia Newton-John: Hopelessly Devoted to You' and the accompanying soundtrack album, 'I Honestly Love You'.
See also
*List of Billboard Adult Contemporary number ones of 1980
*List of Billboard Hot 100 number ones of 1980
*List of Cash Box Top 100 number-one singles of 1980
References
Buy Magic (Olivia Newton-John song) now from Amazon
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