Landslide (Olivia Newton-John song) explained

"Landslide" is a song recorded by British-Australian singer Olivia Newton-John for her eleventh studio album, Physical (1981). Written and produced by John Farrar, the song was released in several countries as the third and final single in April 1982.

"Landslide" did not achieve the success of its predecessors, but peaked within the top 20 in Belgium and the United Kingdom, peaking at number 18 on the UK Singles Chart.^[2] It peaked at number 52 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Tempo and musical style

"Landslide" incorporates a blend of rock and disco elements with pronounced use of guitars, synthesizers and a 4/4 tempo at 131 beats per minute. There is a heavy use of Vocoder effects in the background and the percussion utilizes tympani rolls to great effect.

Track listing and formats

• US 7-inch vinyl single (MCA Records)^[3]

1. "Landslide (Single Edit)" (Farrar) - 3:50
2. "Recovery (LP Version)" (Farrar, Tom Snow) - 4:20

• UK 7-inch vinyl single (EMI Records)^[4]

1. "Landslide" (Farrar) – 4:27
2. "Recovery" (Farrar, Tom Snow) – 4:18

Versions

While there were no official remixes done at the time of its original release, there are three distinct versions of "Landslide". The album version at 4:21, the video version at 4:28 incorporates two bars of rhythm track intro, and the single edit at 3:50 which omits one repeat of the chorus at the end.

Music Video

The music video for "Landslide" was directed by Brian Grant and is set in a highly-stylized and futuristic setting with Olivia Newton-John in various outfits ranging from a space-age cat suit to a red leather jumpsuit. The video should also be noted for featuring her soon-to-be husband Matt Lattanzi (who she had met on the set of her film "Xanadu") and the female-fantasy driven theme. "Landslide" was included on the "Olivia Physical" video album released by MCA Home Video in 1981 on VHS videocassette and Laserdisc.^[5] The video album "Olivia Physical" won the Video of the Year award at the 25th Grammy Awards in 1983.^[6] "Landslide" Music Video on YouTube

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1982)	Peak position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)	18
US Cash Box Top Singles[7]	54

External links

• "Physical" album at Newton-John's official website

Notes and References

1. Olivia Newton-John. Physical. 1981. Liner notes. MCA Records. B004AH7W1O.
2. Web site: The Official Charts Company - UK chart details . .
3. Web site: Olivia Newton-John-Landslide. discogs.com. 3 July 2024.
4. Web site: Olivia Newton-John Singles from 1981-1984. Onlyolivia.com. 23 May 2023.
5. Web site: Olivia-Physical. Discogs.com. 3 July 2024.
6. Web site: Grammy Award for Video of the Year. Wikipedia.com. 3 July 2024.
7. Web site: Cash Box. PDF. Worldradiohistory.com. 24 July 1982. 23 May 2023.