The youngest child of Professor Brin Newton-John and Irene, daughter of Nobel Prize winning physicist, Max Born, Newton-John moved to Melbourne, Australia, with her family when she was five. By the age of fifteen, she had formed an all-girl group called Sol Four. Later that year she won a talent contest on the popular TV show, “Sing, Sing, Sing,” which earned her a trip to London. By 1963, Newton-John was appearing on local daytime TV shows and weekly pop music programs in Australia. She cut her first single for Decca Records in 1966, a version of Jackie DeShannon’s "Till You Say You’ll Be Mine." In 1971, she recorded a cover of Bob Dylan’s "If Not For You," co-produced by John Farrar, with whom she continued to collaborate.
Her 1973 U.S. album debut, "Let Me Be There," produced her first top ten single of the same name, with Newton-John being honored by the Academy Of Country Music as Most Promising Female Vocalist and a Grammy Award as Best Country Vocalist. This proved to be only the beginning of a very exciting career. Her countless successes include three more Grammys, numerous Country Music Awards, American Music Awards and Peoples Choice Awards, five 1 hits including “Physical,” which topped the charts for ten consecutive weeks, and 15 top 10 singles.
In 1978, her co-starring role with John Travolta in “Grease” catapulted Newton-John into super-stardom. This film led to the production of the most successful movie musical soundtrack in history, featuring the duets "You’re The One That I Want" and "Summer Nights," with Travolta, as well as her mega-hit, "Hopelessly Devoted To You." The film was re-released worldwide in 1998 in celebration of its 20th anniversary to even more acclaim, a true testament to the film’s timeless quality. Her other film credits include “Xanadu,” “Two Of A Kind,” “It’s My Party,” and “Sordid Lives.” She followed that success, by co-starring with her daughter, Chloe, in the Showtime movie, “The Wilde Girls.” Clearly following in her mother’s footsteps, Chloe has recently signed her first record label contract.
Newton-John appeal was boundless. With a career spanning more than three decades she was adored by fans across the world. Throughout her career, the much-loved star, who danced with Gene Kelly in “Xanadu,” hosted the popular internationally syndicated “Wild Life” television show, was bestowed an O.B.E. (Order Of The British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth in 1979, has held many humanitarian causes close to her heart, particularly since the birth of her daughter Chloe in 1986. She served as Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Environment Programme and in 1991, the Colette Chuda Environmental Fund/CHEC (Children’s Health Environ-mental Coalition) was founded after the tragic death of Chloe’s best friend from a rare childhood cancer, with Olivia serving as National Spokesperson for ten years. Newton-John’s devotion and shared commitment to CHEC’s mission and goals enabled the organization to receive worldwide attention and support. (For more information visit www.CHECnet.org.)
Her charmed life has not been without its share of upset. In the 90s, Newton-John successfully overcame her own battle with breast cancer, which inspired her self-penned and produced album, “GAIA,” her most personal album reflecting upon her experiences with cancer. She used these experiences to gain greater self-awareness and became a positive inspiration to millions of people battling cancer. As a breast cancer survivor, Newton-John became increasingly well known and respected for talking openly about her battle with breast cancer and for promoting public awareness of the importance of early detection. Her personal victory against cancer led her to announce her partnership with the Austin & Repatriation Medical Centre and the creation of the “Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre” (ONJCC) on the Austin Campus in her hometown, Melbourne, Australia. The ONJCC will provide a comprehensive range of services and facilities for cancer treatment, education, training and research. (For more information visit www.armc.org.au.)
Newton-John was acknowledged many times by charitable and environmental organizations for her ongoing efforts, among them: the American Red Cross, the Environmental Media Association, the Women’s Guild of Cedar’s Sinai Medical Center, the Rainforest Alliance and Concept Cure. Olivia promotes breast health awareness and has introduced the “Olivia Breast Self-Exam Kit,” an aid to help women perform self-exams with more ease and confidence (www.liv.com).
In the 2000's, her interational recognition continued to grow. She was invited by the Vatican on behalf of Pope John Paul II to perform at the Jubilee Celebration for the Sick and Healthcare Workers. Olivia was thrilled to perform at the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics to an estimated global viewing audience of four billion people. Adding to this Olympic experience is what Olivia feels is one of her most memorable moments – the honor of carrying the Olympic Torch during the Olympic Torch Relay. Her passion for Australia was ignited again when Olivia reunited with friend and business partner, Pat Farrar, to promote the Koala Blue brand with distinctly Australian wines to proudly bring “the taste of Australia” to the rest of the world. Her healing spirit also led to the opening of the GAIA Retreat & Spa in her homeland of Australia (www.GaiaRetreat.com.au).
In 1999, her album, "Back With A Heart," garnered her an Emmy Award for her songwriting. In 2000/2001, Olivia released her only live album, "One Woman’s Live Journey," followed by “Magic - The Very Best of Olivia Newton-John,” which celebrated thirty years of recording. And if that wasn’t enough, she also released her first holiday album, “The Christmas Collection.” In 2002, a CD of duets simply titled, “2,” was recorded in Australia and features a host of talented Ozzies along with a couple of her American friends, followed by “Indigo: Women of Song,” a tribute to some of her favorite female performers.
The CD “Stronger Than Before,” release in 2005, features songs of inspiration, courage and hope that relate to the complex emotions cancer patients and their loved ones experience. A portion of the CD’s proceeds benefit cancer research.
Her recording, “Grace and Gratitude,” a CD for relaxation to promote spiritual balance and physical and emotional healing, was released in September 2006 and coincided with the launch of Newton-John's wellness products for women.
In 2002, Newton-John was inducted into the prestigious Australian Music Hall Of Fame at the 16th Annual Aria Awards. Her latest honors include receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award by friend John Travolta at the G’Day L.A. Ball in 2006.
Newton-John was also appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia by the Queen for her “service to the entertainment industry as a singer and actor, and to the community through organizations supporting breast cancer treatment, education and training research, and the environment.”
Wesite www.OliviaNewton-John.com
Don't Cut Me Down
Olivia Newton-John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm tall I need room to grow
I need the sun in my eyes
My home is the earth below
One day I know I will touch the sky
Don't cut me down
Don't cut me down
I am your friend
I sigh when the four winds blow
I cry when the cool rains fall
I shine in the moonlight's glow
I am a home for the great and small
Don't cut me down
For I am innocent
Don't cut me down
I am your friend
Give me a year
A year another year
It takes me time for new life to appear
You cut me down
Quicker than I can regrow
Give me a chance
I am the air you breathe
Imagine what life would be without me
I have been here
Longer than you have you know
Harvest the seeds you sow
Don't cut me down
For I am innocent
Don't cut me down
I am your friend
I'm tall I need room to grow
I need the sun in my eyes
My home is the earth below
One day I know I will touch the sky
Don't cut me down
For I am innocent
Don't cut me down
I am your friend
For I will never mend
Don't cut me down
I am your friend
The song "Don't Cut Me Down" by Olivia Newton-John is a poignant plea from a tree to its human friends. The first verse of the song mentions that the tree needs room to grow and that its home is the earth. It also expresses a desire to touch the sky one day. The chorus of the song is a request not to cut the tree down because it is innocent and a friend to humanity.
The second verse of the song talks about how the tree reacts to the external environment. It sighs and cries when the winds blow and the rains fall respectively. It also shines in the moonlight and is a home for creatures great and small. The chorus is repeated after this verse, with the same message to not cut the tree down.
The third verse of the song is a plea for more time to regrow after being harvested. It mentions that the tree provides the air we breathe, and imagines what life would be like without it. The final statement of the song is a reminder that the tree will never mend if cut down, and the chorus is repeated one last time.
Overall, the song is a powerful metaphor for the destruction of nature at human hands. It highlights the importance of trees in our ecosystem and the need to protect them.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm tall I need room to grow
As a tree, I require space to grow and expand my roots.
I need the sun in my eyes
Sunlight benefits me and is essential for photosynthesis.
My home is the earth below
The earth is where I draw my nutrients and is my foundation.
One day I know I will touch the sky
I have the potential to grow tall and reach great heights.
Don't cut me down
Please refrain from harming me.
For I am innocent
I have done no wrong and am simply trying to live my life.
I sigh when the four winds blow
I am affected by the natural elements around me.
I cry when the cool rains fall
Rain provides important moisture for my survival, but I am vulnerable to harsh weather.
I shine in the moonlight's glow
Even at night, I contribute to the beauty of nature.
I am a home for the great and small
I provide shelter and habitat for a variety of living creatures.
Give me a year
I need time to grow and mature.
A year another year
It takes many years for me to fully develop and reach my potential.
It takes me time for new life to appear
I need time to reproduce and propagate new growth.
You cut me down
When you take away my life, you destroy a vital part of the earth's ecosystem.
Quicker than I can regrow
My regrowth process is slow and cannot keep pace with deforestation.
Give me a chance
Please allow me the opportunity to grow and thrive.
I am the air you breathe
As a living organism, I produce oxygen for you to breathe.
Imagine what life would be without me
I am essential to the balance of the natural world and my absence would lead to negative consequences.
I have been here
As a natural creation, I have existed for a long time.
Longer than you have you know
I predate human civilization and have sustained many generations before you.
Harvest the seeds you sow
Planting new trees is important for the future of the ecosystem and the earth.
For I will never mend
When you cut me down, you cannot undo the harm you have caused.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JonteTheArtist
You noticed every since Olivia died, her music is now playing alot in celebration. We always played her music but I'm sure everyone is now celebrating her. Her presence is every where. Michael Jackson too. When he passed, his presence around world, everyone was tempted to want to play his music. They both really left a light, an lasting legacy. 🙏💙😇❤️
@simonecrowther8017
So beautiful and peaceful only you Olivia can come up with something so close to the heart we all love you Olivia .
@jimmypendon5529
Wow it broke my heart. No one in the world can sing like olivia newton john...
@user-ks4ph2yu2d
Just a natural amazing voice and person. Beautiful
@spongevee1
🌳🌲🌳🌲So touching. RIP MS Olivia.
@patrickpatricka6766
Ruhe in Frieden Olivia
@AndreBerlin
I didn't know how much I loved and adored you, until yesterday when I heard the bad news. Breaks my heart even I feared that day would come the last years. And here is my promise. I will always love you, as an artist, a singer, songwriter and thriver! And if Chloe needs help, there are millions of people who will held and guide her. Me too.
@ledamartins15
Is already sorely missed.#OliviaNewtonJohnForEver
@robu6350
R.I.P. Olivia
@dinatanunes641
I love your songs always ❤