Grease (soundtrack album)
Encyclopedia
Grease: The Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture is the original motion picture soundtrack
for the 1978 film Grease
released by Polydor Records
. The song "You're the One That I Want
" was a US and UK #1 for stars John Travolta
and Olivia Newton-John
. To date, it has sold over 28 million copies worldwide, becoming the sixth best-selling soundtrack album of all time.
and Olivia Newton-John
- although they only appear on seven of the 24 tracks. The remainder of the album is sung by various cast members and Sha Na Na
- a group who performed many of the 1950s numbers in the film. The title track was recorded by Frankie Valli
, who had no other connection with the film.
The most successful songs from the soundtrack were written specifically for the film. They included the Billboard number-one hits "You're the One That I Want
", "Grease
" and the number-three, Academy Award-nominated "Hopelessly Devoted to You
". In the UK, the album proved even more successful where "You're the One That I Want" reached No.1 for nine weeks, "Summer Nights" reached No.1 for seven weeks, while "Grease", "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "Sandy" all became top three hits. The soundtrack album hit the top of the charts in the U.S. during the summer of 1978, replacing The Rolling Stones
' Some Girls
. In the UK, it remained at the top of the charts for 13 consecutive weeks.
Two of the bass players who recorded on the Grease soundtrack were (at different times) members of Toto
. One of these, David Hungate
, also performed on Olivia Newton-John
's album Totally Hot
with Toto guitarist Steve Lukather
. Other musicians here have previously worked with Elton John
, Steely Dan
, The Bee-Gees and others.
The album sold 28 million copies worldwide.
as a 2-CD digitally-remastered "Deluxe Edition" containing additional tracks.
As with the LP and single-disc CD, the songs are not presented in the order replicating their appearances in the movie.
Certifications
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
for the 1978 film Grease
Grease (film)
Grease is a 1978 American musical film directed by Randal Kleiser and based on Warren Casey's and Jim Jacobs's 1971 musical of the same name about two lovers in a 1950s high school. The film stars John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, and Jeff Conaway...
released by Polydor Records
Polydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
. The song "You're the One That I Want
You're the One That I Want
"You're the One That I Want" is a song written by John Farrar for the 1978 film version of the musical Grease. It was performed by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John....
" was a US and UK #1 for stars John Travolta
John Travolta
John Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer and singer. Travolta first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease...
and Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
. To date, it has sold over 28 million copies worldwide, becoming the sixth best-selling soundtrack album of all time.
Background
The soundtrack was released in April 1978, two months ahead of the film's release. The cover gives credit to, and prominently features, the two stars of the film - John TravoltaJohn Travolta
John Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer and singer. Travolta first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease...
and Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
- although they only appear on seven of the 24 tracks. The remainder of the album is sung by various cast members and Sha Na Na
Sha Na Na
Sha Na Na is an American rock and roll group. The name is taken from a part of the long series of nonsense syllables in the doo-wop hit song "Get a Job", originally recorded in 1957 by the Silhouettes....
- a group who performed many of the 1950s numbers in the film. The title track was recorded by Frankie Valli
Frankie Valli
Frankie Valli is an American musician, most famous as frontman of The Four Seasons. He is well-known for his unusually powerful falsetto singing voice...
, who had no other connection with the film.
The most successful songs from the soundtrack were written specifically for the film. They included the Billboard number-one hits "You're the One That I Want
You're the One That I Want
"You're the One That I Want" is a song written by John Farrar for the 1978 film version of the musical Grease. It was performed by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John....
", "Grease
Grease (song)
"Grease" is the title song for the musical motion picture Grease, which was based on the stage play of the same name. The song was sung by Frankie Valli and was featured twice on the film's soundtrack, as the first track and reprised as the final track. It became a No. 1 single in the United States...
" and the number-three, Academy Award-nominated "Hopelessly Devoted to You
Hopelessly Devoted to You
"Hopelessly Devoted to You", written by John Farrar, is a song originally performed by Olivia Newton-John. The song, featured in the film version of Grease, received an Oscar nomination as Best Original Song, losing to "Last Dance" at the 51st Academy Awards. She performed the song at the 21st...
". In the UK, the album proved even more successful where "You're the One That I Want" reached No.1 for nine weeks, "Summer Nights" reached No.1 for seven weeks, while "Grease", "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "Sandy" all became top three hits. The soundtrack album hit the top of the charts in the U.S. during the summer of 1978, replacing The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
' Some Girls
Some Girls
Some Girls is the 14th British and 16th American studio album by The Rolling Stones, released in 1978 on Rolling Stones Records, catalogue COC 39108...
. In the UK, it remained at the top of the charts for 13 consecutive weeks.
Two of the bass players who recorded on the Grease soundtrack were (at different times) members of Toto
Toto (band)
Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The group currently consists of Joseph Williams , David Paich , Steve Porcaro , Steve Lukather , Mike Porcaro , and Simon Phillips . Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard...
. One of these, David Hungate
David Hungate
David Hungate is a bass player noted as a member of Los Angeles pop-rock band Toto from 1977-1982. Boz Scaggs's Silk Degrees album of 1976 included Hungate and several other future members of Toto...
, also performed on Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
's album Totally Hot
Totally Hot
Totally Hot is Olivia Newton-John's ninth US and tenth international studio album. Released in November 1978, it became her first solo Top 10 album since 1975's Have You Never Been Mellow...
with Toto guitarist Steve Lukather
Steve Lukather
Steve "Luke" Lukather is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger, and record producer best known for his work with the rock band Toto. Lukather has played with many artists, released several solo albums, and worked as a composer, arranger, and session guitarist on more than 1,500 albums...
. Other musicians here have previously worked with Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Steely Dan
Steely Dan
Steely Dan is an American rock band; its core members are Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. The band's popularity peaked in the late 1970s, with the release of seven albums blending elements of jazz, rock, funk, R&B, and pop...
, The Bee-Gees and others.
The album sold 28 million copies worldwide.
Reception
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic rated the soundtrack four-and-a-half stars. He stated that "the originals hold up better than the '50s tunes", but that they "are so giddily enjoyable" "that everything works." He also said that "the sleek pop production the movie's soundtrack boasts and the cast's enthusiastic performances go a long way in making this Grease the definitive Grease."Side one
Side two
Side three
Side four
CD release
The CD of the soundtrack has been released twice in the US. In April 1991 it was released as a single disc replicating the sequence of the original 1978 LP. In September 2003 it was released by PolyGramPolyGram
PolyGram was the name of the major label recording company started by Philips from as a holding company for its music interests in 1945. In 1999 it was sold to Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group.-Hollandsche Decca Distributie , 1929-1950:...
as a 2-CD digitally-remastered "Deluxe Edition" containing additional tracks.
As with the LP and single-disc CD, the songs are not presented in the order replicating their appearances in the movie.
Personnel
- Olivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
- vocals - John TravoltaJohn TravoltaJohn Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer and singer. Travolta first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease...
- vocals - Frankie ValliFrankie ValliFrankie Valli is an American musician, most famous as frontman of The Four Seasons. He is well-known for his unusually powerful falsetto singing voice...
- vocals - Barry GibbBarry GibbBarry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
- vocals - Peter FramptonPeter FramptonPeter Kenneth Frampton is an English musician, singer, producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He was previously associated with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd. Frampton's international breakthrough album was his live release, Frampton Comes Alive!. The album sold over 6 million copies...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Gary BrownGary BrownGary Leroy Brown is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Houston Oilers in the eighth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He is currently the running backs coach for the Cleveland Browns. A 5'11", 230-lb...
- saxSax-Places:* Sax, Alicante, a municipality in Spain* Saxmundham, UK - a colloquial short form used in East Suffolk* Sax, a village in the Sennwald municipality in Switzerland-People:* Sax, later "Sax-Hohensax", name a house of barons originally at Hohensax castle...
(Instrumental version) - Karl Richardson - engineerEngineerAn engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
Album
Charts| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
1 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
1 | |
| Australian Kent Music Report Kent Music Report The Kent Music Report was a weekly record chart of Australian music singles and albums which was compiled by music enthusiast David Kent from May 1974 through to 1998... Albums Chart |
1 | |
| 1991 | ||
| 1998 | ||
Certifications
Singles
| Release date | Single title | US | UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1978 | "Grease" | 1 | 3 |
| May 1978 | "You're the One That I Want" | 1 | 1 |
| August 1978 | "Summer Nights" | 5 | 1 |
| September 1978 | "Hopelessly Devoted to You" | 3 | 2 |
| September 1978 | "Sandy" | 2 | |
| November 1978 | "Greased Lightnin'" | 47 | 11 |
Musicians
- Drums: Olle Brown, Carlos Vega, Cubby O'BrienCubby O'BrienCarl Patrick O'Brien , who generally goes by the nickname of "Cubby", is a professional American drummer, and a former child actor, who is best known for having been a Mouseketeer.-Early life:...
Ron ZieglerRon ZieglerRonald Louis "Ron" Ziegler was White House Press Secretary and Assistant to the President during United States President Richard Nixon's administration.-Early life:... - Bass: Mike PorcaroMike PorcaroMike Porcaro is best noted as the bass player in the Grammy Award winning band, Toto.He is the middle brother of Toto members Jeff Porcaro and Steve Porcaro...
, William David HungateDavid HungateDavid Hungate is a bass player noted as a member of Los Angeles pop-rock band Toto from 1977-1982. Boz Scaggs's Silk Degrees album of 1976 included Hungate and several other future members of Toto...
, Max Bennett, David Allen Ryan, Wm. J. Bodine, Dean Cortez, Harold Cowart - Guitar: John FarrarJohn FarrarJohn Farrar is a music producer, songwriter, music arranger, singer and guitarist who is best known for his work with Olivia Newton-John with whom he wrote and produced many hit songs....
, Tim MayTim MayTimothy Brian Alexander May is a former cricketer for South Australia and Australia, who is currently a leading players' representative in his role as Chief Executive of the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations...
("Born to Hand Jive"), Jay GraydonJay GraydonJay Graydon is a Los Angeles songwriter, recording artist, guitarist, singer, producer, arranger, and recording engineer. He is the winner of two Grammy Awards with twelve Grammy nominations, among them the title "Producer of the Year" and "Best Engineered Recording". Jay Graydon has mastered many...
, Lee RitenourLee RitenourLee Mack Ritenour is an American jazz guitarist who has recorded over 42 albums, appeared on over 3000 sessions, and has charted over 30 instrumental and vocal contemporary jazz hits since 1976. One of his most popular songs was the smash hit, “Is It You” in 1981. Ritenour is considered to be a...
, Dan Sawyer, Bob Rose, Dennis Budimir, Thomas Tedesso, Cliff Morris, Joey Murcia, Peter FramptonPeter FramptonPeter Kenneth Frampton is an English musician, singer, producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He was previously associated with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd. Frampton's international breakthrough album was his live release, Frampton Comes Alive!. The album sold over 6 million copies...
("Grease") - Keyboards: Louis St. LouisLouis St. LouisLouis St. Louis is an American songwriter, famous for songs written for Grease, particularly the song "Sandy" , which was a hit for John Travolta.-Works:*Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL - Arranger...
, Greg Mathieson, Mike Land, Lincoln Majorca, Thomas Garvin, Bhen Lanzarone, George Bitzer - Saxophone: Ray Pizzi ("We Go Together" & "Greased Lightnin'"), Ernie WattsErnie WattsErnest James "Ernie" Watts is an American jazz and rhythm and blues musician. He plays saxophone and flute. He might be best known for his work with Charlie Haden's Quartet West and his Grammy Awards as an instrumentalist...
("There Are Worse Things I Could Do" and "Alone At A Drive-In Movie"), Jerome RichardsonJerome RichardsonJerome Richardson was an American jazz musician, tenor saxophonist, and flute player, who also played alto sax, baritone sax, clarinet and piccolo...
, John Kelson, Jr. - Trumpet: Albert Aarons, Robert Bryant
- Trombone: Lloyd Ulgate
- Percussion: Eddie "Bong" Brown, Larry Bunker, Victor FeldmanVictor FeldmanVictor Stanley Feldman was a British jazz musician, best known as a pianist.-Early history:...
, Antoine Dearborn - Harp: Dorothy Remsen, Gayle Levant
- ConcertmasterConcertmasterThe concertmaster/mistress is the spalla or leader, of the first violin section of an orchestra. In the UK, the term commonly used is leader...
: James Getzoff - Contractor: Carl Fortina
- Copyist: Bob Borenstein
- Background vocals: Curt Becher, Paulette K. Brown, Beau Charles, Carol Chase, Kerry Chater, Loren Farber, John FarrarJohn FarrarJohn Farrar is a music producer, songwriter, music arranger, singer and guitarist who is best known for his work with Olivia Newton-John with whom he wrote and produced many hit songs....
, Venetta FieldsVenetta FieldsVenetta Fields is an American singer best known as session musician for leading rock and pop acts of the 1970s including Pink Floyd, Barbra Streisand, Steely Dan and the Rolling Stones...
, Gerald Garrett, Jim GilstrapJim GilstrapJim Gilstrap is an American singer best known for his work as a session musician and his 1975 solo hit single "Swing Your Daddy", as well as singing co-lead to the theme from the TV series Good Times.-Career:...
, Mitch Gordon, Jim Haas, Petty Henderson, Ron Kicklin, Diana Lee, John LehmanJohn LehmanJohn F. Lehman, Jr. is an American investment banker and writer who served as Secretary of the Navy in the Reagan administration and in 2003–04 was a member of the 9/11 Commission....
, Maxayn Lewis, Melissa MacKay, Myrna Matthews, Marti McCall, Gene Merlino, Gene Morford, Lisa Roberts, Sally Stevens, Zedrick Turnbough, Jackie Ward, M. Ann White, Jerry Whitman
Credits
- All selections except "Grease" arranged by: John FarrarJohn FarrarJohn Farrar is a music producer, songwriter, music arranger, singer and guitarist who is best known for his work with Olivia Newton-John with whom he wrote and produced many hit songs....
, Michael Gibson, Louis St. LouisLouis St. LouisLouis St. Louis is an American songwriter, famous for songs written for Grease, particularly the song "Sandy" , which was a hit for John Travolta.-Works:*Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL - Arranger... - Strings on "Summer Nights" arranged by Bhen Lanzarone
- Horns and Strings on "Greased Lightnin'" and "Born to Hand Jive" arranged by Michael Melvoin
- Recorded at: Filmways/Wally Heider Recording Studios, Hollywood
United Western Studios, Hollywood
Hollywood Sound Recorders, Hollywood
- Engineered by: David J. Holman, Jay LewisJay LewisJay Lewis was a film director, a film producer and writer born in Warwickshire, England.-Director:*A Home of Your Own starring Ronnie Barker *Live Now - Pay Later *Invasion Quartet...
, Eirik Wangberg, Michael Carneval, Karl Richardson ("Grease")
- All selections except "Grease" mixed and re-mixed by David J. Holman at Filmways/Wally Heider Recording Studios, Hollywood
- Produced by: Louis St. LouisLouis St. LouisLouis St. Louis is an American songwriter, famous for songs written for Grease, particularly the song "Sandy" , which was a hit for John Travolta.-Works:*Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL - Arranger...
and John FarrarJohn FarrarJohn Farrar is a music producer, songwriter, music arranger, singer and guitarist who is best known for his work with Olivia Newton-John with whom he wrote and produced many hit songs....
; Barry GibbBarry GibbBarry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
, Albhy GalutenAlbhy GalutenAlbhy Galuten is a Grammy Award-winning American record producer, composer, musician, orchestrator and technology executive.He produced 18 number 1 singles with songs and albums selling over 100,000,000 copies...
and Karl Richardson ("Grease")
- Album mastered at A&M RecordsA&M RecordsA&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
by Bernie GrundmanBernie Grundman-Biography:He is most known for his mastering work and his studio, Bernie Grundman Mastering, which he opened in 1983 in Hollywood. The studio, which includes engineers Chris Bellman, Patricia Sullivan and Brian Gardner, mastered 37 projects which received Grammy Award nominations in 2005.Grundman...
- Art direction: Glenn RossGlenn RossGlenn Ross known by his nickname "Big Daddy", is a Northern Irish International Strongman and Powerlifter who has represented Ireland and the UK in several World's Strongest Man competitions and various World Grand Prix and European Team competitions...
- Album design: Tim Bryant/George Corsillo
- Photography: Alan Pappe/Lee Gross Assoc., Inc.
- Background photos: Ron SlenzakRon SlenzakRon Slenzak is an American photographer, best known for photographing record album covers. Some of the album covers that he has photographed include Spitfire , Huey Lewis and the News , It Must Be Magic , Dreams and Throwin' Down .-Biography:Slenzak...