DJ Dan Murphy

"Magic" is a song recorded by British-Australian singer Olivia Newton-John for the soundtrack to the 1980 musical fantasy film, ''Xanadu''. Written and produced by John Farrar, the song was released as the lead single from the album in May 1980. It peaked at number one on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for four weeks beginning on August 2, 1980. On August 30, it was displaced from the top by Christopher Cross's " Sailing".

''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 single spent two weeks at number one on the ''RPM'' Top Singles chart. It also reached number four in Australia and number 32 in the United Kingdom. The single also became Newton-John's biggest ''Billboard'' Adult Contemporary hit to date, spending five weeks at the top of the chart, and also topped the ''RPM'' Adult Contemporary chart for a week.

John Lennon named "Magic" and " All Over the World" as two recent songs he liked in a ''Newsweek'' interview in September 1980, shortly before his death.

In a lawsuit involving the use of the song in a high school musical performance, the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals described the song as follows:

''Record World'' called it an "infectious pop ballad hathas a big beat production treatment."

Both US and UK B-sides also appear in ''Xanadu'':
*US: "Fool Country" is one of three single B-sides to appear in the film but not on the soundtrack album. This is featured in the nightclub grand opening segment following the movie title track and before its reprise.
*UK: "Whenever You're Away From Me" (with Gene Kelly), also appears as the B-side of the US "Xanadu" single.

Track listing and formats

*US 7-inch vinyl single (MCA)
#"Magic" – 4:25
#"Fool Country" – 2:29

*UK 7-inch vinyl single (Jet)
#"Magic" – 4:25
#"Whenever You're Away from Me" – 4:22

Personnel

* Olivia Newton-John – lead and backing vocals
* John Farrar – electric guitars, electric piano, synthesizers and backing vocals
* David Hungate – bass
* Carlos Vega – drums and percussion
Additional personnel
* Strings arranged and conducted by Richard Hewson
* David J. Holman – engineering and mixing

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

All-time charts

Certifications and sales

2011 version

"Magic (Peach & DJ Dan Murphy remix)" is a remix of the 1980 song. In May 2011, the song was remixed by two Australians, DJ Dan Murphy and Steve Peach, to create a dance version. Olivia went back to the studio to re-sing the vocals. The version was sponsored by WACCI, a humanitarian group.

Everybody who worked on the project volunteered their time, with all proceeds being donated to Olivia's charity, the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre.

Olivia was presented the world premiere of the song on Australian ''Dancing with the Stars'' on Sunday 22 May 2011. The song was released exclusively on Australian iTunes, also on Sunday May 22.

Music video

A video was shot for the new remix in Sydney in an attempt to break the Guinness Book World Record for largest cast in a music video by featuring 350 people. Newton-John does not appear in the video, which was directed by DJ Dan Murphy.

Charts

Covers

*The song is included in the film ''Xanadu'' and also the ''Xanadu'' musical.
*A version of the song by Stimulator was used in commercials for Macy's. This cover was also used in the film ''Ella Enchanted

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