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
Please Mr. Please
Olivia Newton-John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the best of country music, old and new
You can hear your five selections for a quarter
And somebody else's songs when yours are through
I got good Kentucky whiskey on the counter
And my friends around to help me ease the pain
'Til some button pushin' cowboy plays that love song
And here I am just missing you again
Please, mister, please
Don't play B-17
It was our song, it was his song, but it's over
Please, mister, please
If you know what I mean
I don't ever wanna hear that song again
If I had a dime for every time I held you
Though you're far away, you've been so close to me
I could swear I'd be the richest girl in Nashville
Maybe even in the state of Tennessee
But I guess I'd better get myself together
'Cause when you left, you didn't leave too much behind
Just a note that said, "I'm sorry" by your picture
And a song that's weighing heavy on my mind
Please, mister, please
Don't play B-17
It was our song, it was his song, but it's over
Please, mister, please
If you know what I mean
I don't ever wanna hear that song again
Olivia Newton-John's song "Please, Mr. Please" is a ballad about a person who is struggling to move on from a past love. The song is set in a bar where there is a jukebox that plays the best of old and new country music. The singer of the song is drinking Kentucky whiskey with friends, trying to ease the pain of missing someone. However, every time a "button pushin' cowboy" plays a love song, she finds herself missing the person even more.
The heart of the song lies in the chorus, which repeats twice during the song. The singer is requesting the "mister" to avoid playing a specific love song, "B-17", because it was "their" song, but it is now all over. The song continues to stress the hurt that the particular song causes to the singer, asking the "mister" not to play it again. The song also carries a sense of regret from the singer's side, which is made evident by the lines such as "If I had a dime for every time I held you / Though you're far away, you've been so close to me."
Olivia Newton-John sang the song with a country twang, which contributed to the song's commercial success at the time of its release. The story-telling element of the song and the relatability of its themes also resonated with many. "Please, Mr. Please" peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975, and it became her ninth Top Ten hit in the U.S.
Line by Line Meaning
In the corner of the bar there stands a jukebox
The bar had a jukebox where a lot of country music was played
With the best of country music, old and new
The jukebox played the best old and new country songs
You can hear your five selections for a quarter
People could select and hear five songs for a quarter
And somebody else's songs when yours are through
When someone's selected songs finished, other people's songs would play
I got good Kentucky whiskey on the counter
The bar offered good Kentucky whiskey on the counter
And my friends around to help me ease the pain
The presence of friends helped the singer cope with their pain
'Til some button pushin' cowboy plays that love song
Until someone played a love song on the jukebox
And here I am just missing you again
The love song made the artist miss someone
Please, mister, please
Requesting someone to do something politely
Don't play B-17
Asking to not play the song 'B-17'
It was our song, it was his song, but it's over
Explaining that the song was related to the singer's past and is over now
If you know what I mean
Asking if the request is understood
I don't ever wanna hear that song again
The singer does not want to hear that song again
If I had a dime for every time I held you
If the singer had a dime for every time they held someone
Though you're far away, you've been so close to me
Although the person is physically far, they are emotionally close to the singer
I could swear I'd be the richest girl in Nashville
If the artist had that much money, they would be considered the wealthiest girl in Nashville
Maybe even in the state of Tennessee
The artist might be the wealthiest girl in the state of Tennessee
But I guess I'd better get myself together
But the singer realizes they need to gather themselves now
'Cause when you left, you didn't leave too much behind
When the person left, they didn't leave much behind
Just a note that said, "I'm sorry" by your picture
They only left a note saying "I'm sorry" by their picture
And a song that's weighing heavy on my mind
And a song that is making the artist feel heavy-hearted
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Bruce Welch, John Rostill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@margaretpaewai3717
In the corner of the bar there stands a jukebox
With the best of country music, old and new
You can hear your five selections for a quarter
And somebody else's songs when yours are through
I got good Kentucky whiskey on the counter
And my friends around to help me ease the pain
'Til some button-pushing cowboy plays that love song
And here I am just missing you again
Please Mr. please, don't play B-17
It was our song, it was his song but it's over
Please Mr. please, if you know what I mean
I don't ever wanna hear that song again
If I had a dime for every time I held you
Though you're far away, you've been so close to me
I could swear I'd be the richest girl in Nashville
Maybe even in the state of Tennessee
But I guess I'd better get myself together
'Cause when you left, you didn't leave too much behind
Just a note that said, "I'm sorry" by your picture
And a song that's weighing heavy on my mind
Please Mr. please, don't play B-17
It was our song, it was his song but it's over
Please Mr. please, if you know what I mean
I don't ever wanna hear that song again ... Thnk U for all the beautiful songs RIP ... ONJ ... 💖🌹💖
@campusbroadway130
Olivia Newton-John just gained her wings. One of the most beautiful voices now is with the angels. RIP Olivia.😓
@erinserb
Yes, her voice was one of a kind, and now RIP Forever Olivia - you truly are with the angels!!!
@kdm71291
Heartbreaking!
@johnn251
We don't know that for sure... probably will need to spend some time in purgatory!
@TheBob3759
Amen.
@sissymaidconnie1
Three iconic women the likes that world will never see again are Olivia Newton John, Linda Ronstadt and Karen Carpenter. They had sheer talent, beauty and voices to match.
@homelesshannah50
But it was so tragic about Karen and she passed at only 32 she had so much more of a career to go. So sad : (
@marceloinustroza5795
Olivia's still not gone....
@kfm7398
Just got the news she has passed. My three favorite female vocalists of all times. Just fabulous, each one in their own right.
@brendanfromlongisland4139
I came to this video because I just heard of ONJ'S passing today. Seeing that comment rings so true at this moment. Sadly, Linda is the only one living now.