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The crossover appeal of “Let Me Be There” was characteristic of the top 40 during this time. The LP’s gospel-tinged, pedal steel-heavy title track was another big hit, reaching the top 10 on the Easy Listening and Hot Country Singles (now Hot Country Songs) charts in late 1973, and then topping out at No. 1 album on the Hot Country LPs (now Top Country Albums) chart for two weeks in March 1974 with her second U.S. “If Not For You” was also her first song to make an appearance on the Hot 100, peaking at No. In August 1971, she spent three weeks atop the Top 40 Easy Listening (now Adult Contemporary) chart with a cover of Bob Dylan’s “If Not For You.” Newton-John’s version hews much closer to George Harrison’s take from All Things Must Pass, with jaunty slide guitar high in the mix next to her optimistic warble. pop chart-topper upon the release of her 1971 debut solo LP, If Not For You - mainly by locking down No. Newton-John’s fortunes soon turned around, however, and she started seriously laying the groundwork for a U.S. That song didn’t chart, although she then toured as a duo with her friend Pat Carroll and later became part of a fictional band called Toomorrow, to little fanfare. In 1966, after winning first place on an Australian TV talent show, she traveled to England and recorded the Jackie DeShannon-written “Till You Say You’ll Be Mine” for Decca Records. The success of “Honesty” didn’t come out of nowhere, as Newton-John had been working on building a career for years by this point. Appearing on her 1974 North America-released LP If You Love Me, Let Me Know, the song was indicative of Newton-John’s skill as an interpreter and ability to elevate manicured pop. 1, 1974’s “I Honestly Love You,” fittingly arrived as her star was simultaneously ascending in the country, soft rock and top 40 pop worlds. Newton-John’s first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1: Olivia Newton-John's 'Physical'įorever No. Olivia Newton-John's Top 20 Biggest Billboard Hitsįorever No. Incredibly, she found success in all of these modes. Within the span of a decade, Newton-John dabbled in Broadway (1977’s “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina”), 1950s throwbacks (1978’s Grease soundtrack), frothy disco and pop fantasias (1980’s Xanadu ), and keyboard-slicked new wave (1981’s “Physical,” 1983’s “Twist of Fate”). Her hits weren’t easily pigeonholed, and she fearlessly evolved with the times and musical trends. Olivia Newton-John’s remarkable career endurance can be explained in part by how easily she shapeshifted between genres. Here, we honor the late Olivia Newton-John, who died this week at age 73, by beginning with the first of her five Hot 100-topping gems: the more-complex-than-it-seems soft-rock standard “I Honestly Love You.” 1 single - by taking an extended look back at the chart-topping songs that made them part of this exclusive club. 1 is a Billboard series that pays special tribute to the recently deceased artists who achieved the highest honor our charts have to offer - a Billboard Hot 100 No.
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