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
Flower
Olivia Newton-John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Long time passing
Where have all the flowers gone
Long time ago
Where have all the flowers gone
Young girls pick them every one
When will they ever learn
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the young girls gone
Long time passing
Where have all the young girls gone
Gone to young men every one
When will they ever learn
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the young men gone
Long time passing
Where have all the young men gone
Long time ago
Where have all the young men gone
They are all in uniform
When will they ever learn
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the soldiers gone
Long time passing
Where have all the soldiers gone
Long time ago
Where have all the soldiers gone
Gone to graveyards every one
When will they ever learn
When will they ever learn?
Where have all the graveyards gone
Long time passing
Where have all the graveyards gone
Long time ago
Where have all the graveyards gone
Covered with flowers every one
When will they ever learn
When will they ever learn?
Olivia Newton-John's song "Where Have All The Flowers Gone" is a powerful anti-war anthem that was originally written by Pete Seeger. The song is a series of rhetorical questions that are aimed at highlighting the devastating impact of war on society. The main theme of the song is the cyclical nature of war and how it leads to the loss of life on all sides.
The opening lines of the song are "Where have all the flowers gone? Long time passing." These lines refer to the flowers that were once abundant in the fields but have now disappeared due to the young girls who have picked them. This is a metaphor for the loss of innocence that occurs during times of war. The young girls who picked the flowers are symbolic of the millions of people who have lost their lives in wars over the years.
The next verse continues the theme of loss, but this time it is the young girls who have gone, having been swept up by the young men who are heading off to war. The loss of youth and vitality is a common consequence of war, and the singer is asking when we will ever learn from these tragedies.
The subsequent verses continue the theme of loss, first the young men who have gone off to fight and then the soldiers who have lost their lives. The final verse sees the loss of the graveyards themselves as they become covered with flowers. This is a poignant reminder that even the dead are not safe from the ravages of war.
Line by Line Meaning
Where have all the flowers gone
Where have all the beautiful things gone?
Long time passing
It's been a while now
Where have all the flowers gone
Where have all the beautiful things gone?
Long time ago
It's been a long time since they disappeared
Where have all the flowers gone
Where have all the beautiful things gone?
Young girls pick them every one
Girls plucked all the flowers
When will they ever learn
When will they realize the impact of their actions?
When will they ever learn?
When will they change their ways?
Where have all the young girls gone
Where have all the girls disappeared?
Long time passing
It's been a while now
Where have all the young girls gone
Where have all the girls disappeared?
Gone to young men every one
They all went to the men they love
When will they ever learn
When will they realize the impact of their actions?
When will they ever learn?
When will they change their ways?
Where have all the young men gone
Where have all the young men disappeared?
Long time passing
It's been a while now
Where have all the young men gone
Where have all the young men disappeared?
Long time ago
It's been a long time since they disappeared
Where have all the young men gone
Where have all the young men disappeared?
They are all in uniform
They all joined the military
When will they ever learn
When will they realize the impact of their actions?
When will they ever learn?
When will they change their ways?
Where have all the soldiers gone
Where have all the soldiers disappeared?
Long time passing
It's been a while now
Where have all the soldiers gone
Where have all the soldiers disappeared?
Long time ago
It's been a long time since they disappeared
Where have all the soldiers gone
Where have all the soldiers disappeared?
Gone to graveyards every one
They've all died and been buried
When will they ever learn
When will they realize the impact of their actions?
When will they ever learn?
When will they change their ways?
Where have all the graveyards gone
Where have all the graveyards disappeared?
Long time passing
It's been a while now
Where have all the graveyards gone
Where have all the graveyards disappeared?
Long time ago
It's been a long time since they disappeared
Where have all the graveyards gone
Where have all the graveyards disappeared?
Covered with flowers every one
They've all been decorated with flowers
When will they ever learn
When will they realize the impact of their actions?
When will they ever learn?
When will they change their ways?
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Peter Seeger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@deborahmauro4331
I love this song so much. Olivia Newton John, the world has lost a treasure and heaven has received an angel. You will be missed.
@speecher1959
This song is often in my thoughts while hiking. “Did I hear someone whisper? Did something pass by?”
@h.a.c7732
The song is a work of art and both Olivia and John Denver perform it flawlessly. Such a peaceful melody and lyrics.
@orianalai9460
I´m sure this song saved my life 20 years ago - and same when I´m feel confused or lonely I walk in the forest and singing this song when nobody hears me - that s my hymn
@heatherburrow9926
I just lost my dad its comforts me
@ryanharrison4581
Give "Courageous" a try (also by ONJ). I find that song really lifts me up. I hope the same for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Yp_QebiiDQ
@gigidayz6936
This album meant EVERYTHING to me when my daughter was born♡
@MegaCaptain54
I can only be greatful for the fact that my two favorite performers of all time both performed this beautiful ballad. they even did it as a duet together. of course I speak of both Olivia & john Denver. no two voices were ever more suited for this tremendous song. Olivia, you were my first crush back in my childhood. your still forever in my heart. all I can say is thank you for it all
@jmbwithcats
The duet is nice... of course John Denver also wrote "Follow Me" which Peter Paul and Mary sang, Mary on her 1970 self-titled solo album.
@MegaCaptain54
Jonathan Berman follow me is also one of my favorite john Denver songs but I was speaking more of duets they did together. I would have loved to hear them do a duet of follow me. as much as they collaborated together I am surprised they didn't record more duets together but all I can find is "fly away" and ' the flower that shattered the stone'. most the pity.