Early life
Travolta, the youngest of six children, was born in Englewood, New Jersey to Salvatore Travolta, a second-generation Italian American semi-professional football player turned tire salesman, and Helen Cecilia Burke, an Irish American actress and singer who had appeared in The Sunshine Sisters, a radio vocal group, and acted and directed before becoming a high school drama teacher. She was 42 when Travolta was born. Travolta grew up in an Irish-American neighborhood and has said that his household was predominantly Irish in culture. His family was Catholic.
Career
After dropping out of Dwight Morrow High School after his junior year, Travolta moved to New York City to get a job as a performer. He landed roles in the touring company of Grease and on Broadway in Over Here! singing the Sherman Brothers' song "Dream Drummin'". Travolta also cut singles for a local record company, but the songs were quickly forgotten. But eventually, he moved to Los Angeles, California to further his career in show business.
Travolta gained his first major movie role as Billy Nolan, a sadistic bully who taunted Sissy Spacek's Carrie White in the horror film Carrie (1976). Around the same time he landed his star-making role as Vinnie Barbarino in the TV sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter (1975–1979) in which his sister, Ellen, also occasionally appeared (as Arnold Horshack's mother).
Around this time he also had a hit single entitled "Let Her In" peaking at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the next few years, he appeared in some of his most memorable screen roles: Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever (1977) and as Danny Zuko in Grease (1978). His mother and his sister Ann appeared as extras in Saturday Night Fever and his sister Ellen appeared as a waitress in Grease. Travolta performed several of the songs on the Grease soundtrack album, that eventually went on to sell more than 10 million copies. In 1980, Travolta inspired a nationwide country music craze that followed on the heels of his hit film, Urban Cowboy, in which he starred with Debra Winger.
After Urban Cowboy came a string of flops that sidelined his acting career. Some suggest that he was typecast as a disco stud or 1970s icon, which could be the reason his agent intervened on several occasions to turn down acting roles. During that time he was offered, but turned down, lead roles in what would become box office hits, including American Gigolo, An Officer and A Gentleman, and Splash. The first two films ultimately starred Richard Gere in the lead role and went to become box office successes. This was also the case with the movie Chicago - the role of lawyer Billy Flynn was offered to Travolta, but ultimately was played by Gere; the film went on to become a highly commercial and critical success. His only hit film during this period was alongside Kirstie Alley and a baby voiced by Bruce Willis in Look Who's Talking. However, it wasn't until he played Vincent Vega in Quentin Tarantino's hit Pulp Fiction (1994), for which he received an Academy Award nomination, that his career was revived. The movie shifted him back onto the A-list, and he was inundated with offers. Coincidentally, before Travolta took the role he visited Tarantino, who was living in the same ramshackle apartment in Los Angeles that Travolta had inhabited when he got his start. Notable roles following Pulp Fiction include a movie-buff loan shark in Get Shorty (1995), an FBI agent in Face/Off (1997), a desperate attorney in A Civil Action (1998) and a military detective in The General's Daughter (1999).
Travolta also starred in Battlefield Earth (2000) based on a work of science fiction by L. Ron Hubbard, in which he played the leader of a group of aliens that enslaves humanity on a bleak future Earth. The film received almost universally negative reviews and did very poorly at the box office. Travolta, who converted to Scientology in 1975 and endorses Hubbard's teachings, had hoped that the film would be well received and be the first in a series of Hubbard film adaptations. In fact, the film won a Razzie Award for Worst Film of the Year at the 2000 awards.
Travola is currently starring as a workaholic turned biker in Wild Hogs (2007).
Travolta will play Edna Turnblad in the 2007 adaptation of Hairspray.
Personal life
Travolta married actress Kelly Preston in 1991. They have a son named Jett, and a daughter named Ella Blue. On April 10, 2006, Mark Ebner of Hollywood, Interrupted made a public plea to Travolta and Preston to have their son treated for autism, alleging five reliable sources—including representatives from Cure Autism Now and The Autism Perspective—who claim that Jett suffers from autism, and not from Kawasaki syndrome as stated by the parents. His brother Joey Travolta recently produced a documentary about autism.
Travolta is a licensed pilot and owns five airplanes, including an ex-Australian airliner, the Qantas 707-138. The plane bears the name Jett Clipper Ella in honor of his son Jett and his daughter Ella. Pan Am was a large operator of the 707 and used Clipper in their names. His US$4.9 million estate in the Jumbolair subdivision in Anthony, Florida is situated on Greystone Airport with its own runway and taxiway right to the door.
In 1992, he wrote and illustrated a short children's book entitled Propeller One-Way Night Coach about the fictional journey of an 8-year-old boy named Jeff across the USA in the 1950s. He celebrated with the Australian national football team in their dressing room following their qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Questions have also been raised regarding what kind of agreements were made between Travolta and then-President Bill Clinton, regarding how Travolta would portray Jack Stanton, a character based on Clinton, in the movie Primary Colors and whether Clinton would pressure the German government to remove its ban on Scientology. Travolta was quoted about the issue in May 1998 issue of George magazine:
The next day, I met with Clinton. He told me: "Your program sounds great. More than that, I'd really love to help you with your issue over in Germany with Scientology." I was waiting for the seduction that I had heard so much about. I thought, "Well, how could he ever seduce me?" And after we talked, I thought, "Bingo!" He did it. Scientology is the one issue that really matters to me.
In another interview, Travolta admitted that his portrayal of Stanton was much more kind than that in the book Primary Colors. The next year, in November 1998, Clinton sent Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to urge German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel to grant Scientology the status of a registered religion—without success.
Other
Travolta's affiliation with Scientology is frequently mentioned in the press. In 1998 he was named in a lawsuit involving a former member who claimed that he was promised that his homosexuality could be cured. The lawsuit alleged that the organization frequently cited Travolta as proof that the organization could in fact change a person's sexual orientation. A lawyer for Travolta replied, "This looks like complete hogwash. Travolta is a happily married man, which proves he isn't gay". Paul Barresi claimed to have had a homosexual relationship with Travolta in 1982, but later recanted the statement. In 2006, Travolta was photographed in what looks like the exchange of a kiss with an unidentified male in Hamilton, Ontario. However, Travolta's attorney, Martin Singer, stated that Travolta's wife Preston was on board the plane and claimed the kiss to be a nonromantic gesture Travolta makes with all close friends of both genders, entirely nonsexual in nature, and that "people who are close to Mr. Travolta are aware of his customary, non-romantic gesture."
Faith No More's Mike Patton wrote and recorded a song called "Travolta" with his band Mr. Bungle. The name of the song was changed to "Quote Unquote" due to legal reasons. The song came out 1991, which was a time at which John Travolta was considered a "has-been" actor. This was before Pulp Fiction came out, and Travolta's career took off again. "Quote Unquote" is also the name of a book John Travolta published around this time. In an episode of South Park, Travolta was one of the characters shown trying to get Tom Cruise out of Stan's closet. The other trying to get him out (Tom Cruise) was R. Kelly, threatening both Tom and John the count of three before he shoots both of them.
The Grease Mega-Mix
John Travolta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's systematic, it's hydromatic
Why it's greased lightnin'
I got chills
They're multiplyin'
And I'm losin' control
'Cause the power
It's electrifyin'
You better shape up
'Cause I need a man
And my heart is set on you
You better shape up
You better understand
To my heart I must be true
Nothin' left, nothin' left for me to do
You're the one that I want
(You are the one I want)
Oo, oo, ooo, honey
The one that I want
(You are the one I want)
Oo, oo, ooo, honey
The one that I want
You, oo, oo, ooo
(You are the one I want)
The one I need, oh, yes indeed
Why it's greased lightnin'
We'll get some overhead lifters
And four barrel quads, oh yeah
Keep talkin', whoah keep talkin'
Fuel injection cut off, and chrome plated rods, oh yeah
I'll get the money, I'll kill to get the money
With a four-speed on the floor, they'll be waitin' at the door
You know that ain't shit when we'll be gettin'
Lots of tit in greased lightnin'
Go, greased lightnin', you're burnin' up the quarter mile
Greased lightnin', go greased lightnin'
Go, greased lightnin', you're coastin' through the heat lap trials
Greased lightnin', go greased lightnin'
You are supreme, the chicks'll cream for greased lightnin'
We'll get some purple French tail lights and thirty inch fins, oh yeah
A palomino dashboard and duel muffler twins, oh yeah
With new pistons, plugs and shocks, I can get off my rocks
You know that I ain't braggin', shh
Well, John, the Grease Mega-Mix is a combination of two iconic songs from the Grease soundtrack – “You’re the One That I Want” and “Greased Lightnin’”. “You’re the One That I Want” is about Sandy’s attraction to Danny and her desire for a man who is ready to commit. In this song, Sandy is essentially asking Danny to shape up and be the man she needs him to be. She is promising to stay true to her heart, but warns that if he doesn’t step up, she’ll have no choice but to move on. “Greased Lightnin’” on the other hand, is almost like a love letter to the car. It’s a song about Danny’s passion for his car and his desire to make it the best it can possibly be – even if that means breaking a few rules.
When it comes to lyrics, both songs have a lot to offer. “You’re the One That I Want” features some iconic lines like “I got chills, they’re multiplying” which really captures the feeling of falling in love. Meanwhile, “Greased Lightnin’” is full of car metaphors that really paint a vivid picture of Danny’s pride and joy. Lines like “We’ll get some overhead lifters, and some four barrel quads, oh yeah (Keep talkin’, whoah keep talkin’)” are classic examples of this. Overall, the Grease Mega-Mix is a fun and energizing tribute to one of the greatest movie musicals of all time.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, this car is automatic
This vehicle operates through automatic means
It's systematic, it's hydromatic
It is structured and hydraulic
Why it's greased lightnin'
This car is incredibly fast and efficient
I got chills
I am experiencing nervous shivers
They're multiplyin'
These chills are increasing
And I'm losin' control
I am losing my composure
'Cause the power
This sensation is caused by the influence of
You're supplyin'
Your actions are providing
It's electrifyin'
This is causing an exciting or thrilling feeling
You better shape up
You need to improve
'Cause I need a man
I require a partner
And my heart is set on you
I have strong feelings for you
You better understand
You need to comprehend
To my heart I must be true
I must remain loyal to my emotions
Nothin' left, nothin' left for me to do
There is nothing more I can do
You're the one that I want
You are the person I desire
(You are the one I want)
Oo, oo, ooo, honey
Oh, my dear
The one that I want
The person I desire
You, oo, oo, ooo
You
(You are the one I want)
The one I need, oh, yes indeed
The person I require, absolutely
We'll get some overhead lifters
We will obtain some sort of mechanical device
And four barrel quads, oh yeah
And quadruple intake valves, definitely
Keep talkin', whoah keep talkin'
Continue to communicate, absolutely
Fuel injection cut off, and chrome plated rods, oh yeah
Fuel supply will be cut off, and the rods will be coated with chrome
I'll get the money, I'll kill to get the money
I will obtain funds, using any means necessary
With a four-speed on the floor, they'll be waitin' at the door
Equipping a four-speed will make others anticipate our arrival
You know that ain't shit when we'll be gettin'
Our efforts will be minimal in comparison to what we will achieve
Lots of tit in greased lightnin'
This car will attract a lot of attention and admiration
Go, greased lightnin', you're burnin' up the quarter mile
Go, fast car, you are completing this length of the racecourse very quickly
Greased lightnin', go greased lightnin'
Fast car, keep going quickly
Go, greased lightnin', you're coastin' through the heat lap trials
Continue to drive fast even during the challenging laps
Greased lightnin', go greased lightnin'
Fast car, keep going quickly
You are supreme, the chicks'll cream for greased lightnin'
Fast car, you are superior and will impress many people
We'll get some purple French tail lights and thirty inch fins, oh yeah
We will obtain purple tail lights from France and extremely large fins, definitely
A palomino dashboard and duel muffler twins, oh yeah
A dashboard made from palomino and two mufflers, absolutely
With new pistons, plugs and shocks, I can get off my rocks
By replacing parts of the car's engine, it will perform much better
You know that I ain't braggin', shh
I am not boasting about this, shh
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIM JACOBS, JOHN FARRAR, JOHN CLIFFORD FARRAR, WARREN CASEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@funnyfan93
This should be played at everysingle party! Its just not the same getting close to the end of the night everyones very drunk and on the dance floor what do ya play? The Grease Megamix :D
@JPPretzel
LITERALLY THE NUMBER ONE SONG TO GET A PARTY GOING AT CLUBS
@sarahbrooks1644
grease by far is one of the best musicals ever made with the best songs which are very catchy
@sportsygirl8
Totally agree, but then you also have High School Musical, Rock of Ages and Sound of Music that had catchy songs.
@richardfigueroa9578
Recuerdo este mix aun era adolecente en el año 91 reunidos todos mis amigos de mi barrio en una esquina escuchando esta sana musica . Claro no existia el regueton o perreo aun supe valorar el respeto a una mujer me quedo con mis tiempos.que fueron aun mejores ,los ultimos que estabamos quedando
@olgaalvarez6500
Que buena música nunca pasa de moda est canción transmite alegría
@AndyB1286
Getting a bit emotional here, but when I listen to this song, I can tell how much fun the musicians must have had recording it. Speaking as a Brit, it reminds me of how America is sometimes one of the most free-spirited, fun-loving countries in the world. Sure, every country's got its faults, nowhere's perfect. But I have tons of American and Canadian friends (and idols), and they're a joy to know. Peace ✌🏼
@asdfAshleyx
this was played at my homecoming dance last night, and the guy i've liked for awhile asked me to dance<3 the end of this song was perfect.
@vrose7166
lol can u still remember that night
@michaelsherriff8933
yes