Olivia Newton-John Popular Song Rankings [2025]

Summer NightsJohn Travolta & Olivia Newton-John15rank/position

John Travolta – Olivia Newton John – Summer Nights.mpg

“Summer Nights” is an insert song from the 1978 film Grease.

It was a duet by the co-leads John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.

The song plays in a scene where their high school friends, singing and dancing in separate groups of boys and girls around them, eagerly try to find out how far the two have gotten in their relationship.

If Not for YouOlivia Newton-John16rank/position

Olivia Newton-John – If Not For You

Olivia Newton-John, an artist who enjoyed worldwide popularity from the 1970s through the mid-1980s, was a catchy performer who drew attention from many listeners, blending contemporary and disco sounds into a pop- and country-based style.

Her debut song, If Not for You, is known as a signature track from her self-titled studio album released in 1971.

Banks Of The OhioOlivia Newton-John17rank/position

Olivia Newton-John – Banks Of The Ohio

It’s a hit from the early career of Olivia Newton-John, released in 1971 when she was in her early twenties.

The song wasn’t written for Olivia; it’s actually a traditional tune of unknown authorship said to have originated in America around the 19th century.

While the track has a folksy, pastoral feel that lets you enjoy Olivia’s charming vocals, the lyrics are surprisingly provocative.

Because the tragic romance between the lovers is sung so lightly, it comes across as less sad and more tinged with an ironic sense of humor—which is part of its appeal.

The English isn’t particularly difficult, and singing it like a storyteller helps create a great atmosphere!

Don’t Stop Believin’Olivia Newton-John18rank/position

Olivia Newton-John – Don’t Stop Believin’

Even though it’s called “Don’t Stop Believin’,” it’s not Journey’s smash hit—it’s Olivia Newton-John’s own original song! In Japanese, it was titled “Tasogare no Koi” (“Twilight Love”), which has a completely different meaning from the original title, but you’ll understand why once you read the lyrics.

It’s a gem of sophisticated country-pop where you can fully enjoy Olivia’s beautiful voice—her crystalline clarity and distinctive sensuality that earned her the nickname “crystal voice” in Japan at the time.

True to Olivia’s style, it features soaring high notes, a wide vocal range, and dramatic pitch leaps, making it honestly a rather challenging song to sing.

That said, thanks to the easily graspable English lyrics—especially the chorus where the title is repeated—even beginners to Western music may find it surprisingly singable.

Have Never Been MellowOlivia Newton-John19rank/position

Have You Never Been Mellow (The Temptation of a Gentle Breeze) / Olivia Newton-John

In the 1970s, Olivia was the very image of a pure idol—like a singing fairy—captivating men across Japan as she sang with her blonde hair fluttering in the wind.

While her beautiful features made her looks a topic of admiration, her work from the 1980s onward shows clearly that she also possessed solid talent as a singer.

If You Love Me, Let Me KnowOlivia Newton-John20rank/position

Olivia Newton-John – If You Love Me, Let Me Know

This is the title track from Olivia Newton-John’s album If You Love Me, Let Me Know, released in 1974 for the U.

S.

and Canadian markets.

The best-of edition, with its striking cover of Olivia folding her arms and looking straight at the viewer, is memorable—some people may have picked it up on the spot after seeing it at a record shop.

If You Love Me, Let Me Know is a country-pop song in line with Olivia’s style at the time.

It was also released as a single and became a hit in the United States, Canada, and elsewhere, making it one of her signature early tracks.

Like Let Me Be There, neither the melody nor the lyrics are particularly difficult, so it’s easy to sing without strain.

The overall range is on the higher side, but you can handle it by adjusting the key to suit your own vocal range.

Just A Little Too MuchOlivia Newton-John21rank/position

Olivia Newton-John – Just A Little Too Much

Included on Olivia Newton-John’s second studio album, Olivia, released in 1972.

Since the album wasn’t issued on vinyl in Japan, it was later released there on CD.

The track, given the very on-the-nose Japanese title Koi no Kibun (“In the Mood for Love”), is actually a cover of a song originally released in the late 1950s by American singer Ricky Nelson, titled Just a Little Too Much.

While the original features a ’50s-style rock ’n’ roll sound, Olivia’s version is arranged as a light, early-career country-pop number.

Being an older song, the range isn’t as wide as in many of Olivia’s tracks, so it may be easier to sing for those who struggle with higher notes.