Xanadu
	Produced by Jeff Lynne (US track 2 by John Farrar)
	Released on June 1980
	UK CHART POSITION #1 . . . US CHART POSITION #8 (charted August 9, 1980 for 17 weeks)
	Find it at GEMM
41285 wo. picture sleeve [high resolution scan]

I ’m not sure if this qualifies as a chimera, given that both OJ and ELO were popular with the roller-skating set, so perhaps better to call this an arranged marriage. It’s pretty terrible, and here’s why: ELO’s songs at this juncture were elaborate confections, and Olivia brings the whole thing toppling over with her shrill performance (i.e., they don’t make a black leather outfit tight enough). The B side is an even more unlikely pairing from “Xanadu,” Olivia and Gene Kelly singing “Whenever You’re Away From Me.” It’s pseudo-swing, nothing to match the novelty of hearing Frankie Avalon sing “Beauty School Dropout.” In case you’re wondering, I did see “Xanadu” with my family when it came out, and I remember an opening roller-skating scene that didn’t make a lick of sense, then sweet beautiful nothing.

TRACK LISTING

UK 7-inch single

1. XANADU
2. FOOL COUNTRY
   
   US 7-inch single
   
1. XANADU    (Jeff Lynne)    3:30
2. WHENEVER YOU'RE AWAY FROM ME    (John Farrar)    4:15

CREDITS

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