Magic (Olivia Newton-John song)

"Magic"
MCA Records release cover
Single by Olivia Newton-John
from the album Xanadu
B-side	"Fool Country" (MCA) "Whenever You're Away From Me" (with Gene Kelly) (Jet)
Released	23 May 1980
Format	7" vinyl
Genre	Pop, pop rock
Length	4:25
Label	MCA, Jet Records
Writer(s)	John Farrar
Producer	John Farrar
Certification	Gold (US)[1]
Olivia Newton-John singles chronology
"I Can't Help It" (1980) "Magic" (1980) "Xanadu" (1980)
Alternative cover Jet Records release cover

"Magic" is a hit 1980 song performed by Olivia Newton-John, from the soundtrack to the film Xanadu. The song was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts for four weeks beginning on 2 August 1980. It also reached a high of #4 on the Australian charts and #32 in the UK.
The B-sides depend on the label: "Fool Country" (also from Xanadu but not on the OST) is the B-side of the MCA release; "Whenever You're Away From Me" (with Gene Kelly) is the B-side of the Jet release.

Chart performance

"Magic" became Newton-John's biggest Adult Contemporary hit to date, and her biggest pop hit until "Physical" ruled the Hot 100 for ten weeks beginning in November 1981. Billboard magazine ranked "Magic" as the third most popular single of 1980, behind only "Call Me" by Blondie and "Another Brick in the Wall" by Pink Floyd.

Formats and track listings

• MCA vinyl single

1. "Magic" – 4:25
2. "Fool Country" – 2:29

• Jet vinyl single

1. "Magic" – 4:25
2. "Whenever You're Away From Me" – 4:22

Charts

Chart (1980)	Peak position
Australia (KMP) Singles Chart	4
Austrian Singles Chart	20
Canadian Singles Chart	1
German Singles Chart	36
Japanese (Oricon) Singles Chart	43
New Zealand Singles Chart	4
Swedish Singles Chart	12
UK Singles Chart	32
US Billboard Hot 100	1
US Billboard Adult Contemporary	1
US Cash Box Top 100	1

2011 version

"Magic (Peach & Murphy remix)"
Single by Olivia Newton-John
Released	22 May 2011
Format	Digital download
Genre	Electropop, dance-pop
Length	3:37
Writer(s)	John Farrar
Producer	Dan Murphy, Steve Peach
Olivia Newton-John singles chronology
"Help Me to Heal" (2010) "Magic (Peach & Murphy remix)" (2011)

"Magic (Peach & Murphy remix)" is a new remix of 1980 song. In May 2011 the song has been remixed by two Aussies - DJ Dan Murphy and Steve Peach - to create a brand new dance version of the song. Olivia went back to the studio to re-sing the vocals and the new version is uplifting and very radio-friendly. The version was sponsored by WACCI, a humanitarian group.

Everybody working on this project has volunteered their time and talent, all proceeds are 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 22 May.

Music video

A video was shot for the new remix in Sydney, Australia, 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. The video is directed by DJ Dan Murphy.

Charts

Chart (2011)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA) Singles Chart	79
Australia (ARIA) Australian Singles Chart	10
Australia (ARIA) Dance Chart	19

Covers

• A new version of the song by Stimulator is used in commercials for Macy's.^[2] This cover was also used in the film Ella Enchanted and appeared on the film's soundtrack.
• Meaghan Jette Martin recorded a cover of this song to the soundtrack of Wizards of Waverly Place.
• Swedish singer Sanna Nielsen also recorded a cover of the song on her 2008 album Stronger.
• The song also performed on musical version of Xanadu.
• The song briefly appears during Glee's first season finale, "Journey to Regionals", when a school show choir performs a mash-up of Olivia Newton-John's "Magic" and Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up". The two also appear as judges in that episode.

See also

• List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1980 (U.S.)
• List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1980 (U.S.)
• Cashbox Top 100 number-one singles of 1980

Preceded by "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" by Billy Joel

Billboard Hot 100 number one single 2 August 1980 – 23 August 1980 (4 weeks)

Succeeded by "Sailing" by Christopher Cross

References

1. ^ "American single certifications – Olivia Newton-John – Magic". Recording Industry Association of America. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?artist=%22Magic%22.  If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
2. ^ [1] Stimulator signs deal with Macy's for their "Find Your Magic" campaign