"Magic" is a 1980 song performed by Olivia Newton-John, from the soundtrack to the film Xanadu. The song was number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks beginning on August 2, 1980. On August 30, it was displaced from the top by "Sailing" by Christopher Cross. It was her 25th American chart hit, and her 10th of 12 records which went Gold or higher.
"Magic" was also 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, Part II" by Pink Floyd. In Canada, the song spent two weeks at number one. It also reached number 4 in Australia and number 32 in the UK.
The song became Newton-John's biggest Adult Contemporary hit to date, spending five weeks at the top of the American chart, and also topped the Canadian AC chart for a week.[1]
John Lennon commented about "Magic" shortly before his death in the "complete Newsweek interview from September 1980". The only 2 songs he specifically mentions that he likes are "Magic" and "All Over the World" both on the album Xanadu.[2]
The B-sides vary, depending 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.[citation needed]
lyrics
Come take my hand
You should know me
I've always been in your mind
You know I will be kind
I'll be guiding you
Building your dream has to start now
There's no other road to take
You won't make a mistake
I'll be guiding you
Chorus:
You have to believe we are magic
Nothing can stand in our way
You have to believe we are magic
Don't let your aim ever stray
And if all your hopes survive
Your destiny will arrive
I'll bring all your dreams alive for you
I'll bring all your dreams alive for you
From where I stand, you are home free
The planets align so rare
There's promise in the air
And I'm guiding you
Through every turn I'll be near you
I'll come anytime you call
I'll catch you when you fall
I'll be guiding you
Olivia Newton-John - lead vocals, backing vocals
John Farrar - electric guitars, synthesizers, backing vocals
David Hungate - bass guitar
Carlos Vega - drums, percussion
Additional personnel
Strings arranged and conducted by Richard Hewson
David J. Holman - engineer and mixer
New on the always-great label Velvet Blue Music is “Slow Parade” from Gileah Taylor, boasting warm songs built on piano and guitar. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 26, 2024
Delightfully unpredictable debut from a New York electronic producer and composer with backgrounds in psychedelic rock, jazz, and indie pop. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 25, 2024
Toronto rivals San Francisco as the North American capital of jangle pop as evidenced by this new record of sunny jams from the Motorists. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 16, 2024
Guitars sparkle like distant constellations on the latest from Scythe, who delivers dazzling space rock on their latest LP. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 3, 2024
