Olivia Newton-John – Hopelessly Devoted to You

When Grease was being filmed, Olivia Newton-John’s contract guaranteed her a solo spot, but no song existed for her character Sandy. Midway through production, her producer and collaborator John Farrar came up with “Hopelessly Devoted to You.” Director Randal Kleiser wasn’t entirely convinced at first and had to create a new scene to accommodate it. The song was ultimately filmed and recorded after the movie had wrapped, becoming the film’s only Academy Award nominee for Best Original Song.

In the movie, Sandy sings the ballad while pining for her summer romance with Danny, played by John Travolta. As the scene closes, she gazes into a kiddie pool and sees his reflection—an image that reinforced the song’s longing. The emotional placement gave Newton-John a chance to shine as a vocalist, contrasting with the upbeat ensemble numbers around it.

Released as a single in June 1978, “Hopelessly Devoted to You” struck a chord with audiences. In the U.S., it climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, reached No. 7 on the Adult Contemporary chart, and became her first Top 20 country hit in two years, peaking at No. 20. In her native Australia, the single was released in August and rose to No. 2. Newton-John even performed it live at the 21st Grammy Awards in 1979, cementing it as one of her signature ballads.

Critics praised the song’s blend of classic sentiment and contemporary production. Record World called it “a ‘50s-inspired love ballad with the sound of the ’70s,” while later writers pointed to its simplicity and sincerity as the key to its lasting power. Fans responded to the way Newton-John delivered Sandy’s vulnerability in a way that transcended the film itself.

“Hopelessly Devoted to You” has remained a cultural touchstone ever since. It has been reprised in revivals, covered in Grease: Live (2016), and featured in tributes. After Newton-John’s passing in 2022, the song re-entered the spotlight, climbing to No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales chart. At the 2023 Oscars, John Travolta invoked its title as he introduced the In Memoriam segment, paying an emotional tribute to his former co-star: “They’ve touched our hearts, they’ve made us smile, and became dear friends that we will always remain hopelessly devoted to.”

Decades later, the song stands as one of Olivia Newton-John’s most enduring performances—a heartfelt ballad born as a last-minute addition but destined to become timeless.

Key Facts
Songwriter / Producer: John Farrar
Release Date: June 1978 (single)
Album: Grease: The Original Soundtrack
Length: 3:05
Genre: Country pop / Pop ballad
Recorded: 1977, United/Western Studio, Hollywood
Label: RSO
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #3
U.S. Adult Contemporary Peak: #7
U.S. Country Peak: #20
Australia Peak: #2
Oscar Nomination: Best Original Song (1979)

Featuring: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Dody Goodman, Didi Conn, Jamie Donnelly, Stockard Channing