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
Water Under The Bridge
Olivia Newton-John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yesterday the rains came down, there was darkness all around
They told me you had gone to find a new life
But you left no word of where you'd gone, I fell right to the ground
And I needed all the help I could get to set me on my feet again
Water under the bridge carried my pain away from me
Water under the bridge, I'm amazed at the change in me
I'm growing up, getting stronger constantly
I watched the ever-flowing stream as it washed away my dream
I felt like diving in and taking a ride
But the stranger took me by the hand and held me by his side
When I needed all the help I could get to set me on my feet again
Water under the bridge carried my pain away from me
He was there trying to love and comfort me
Water under the bridge, I'm amazed at the change in me
I'm growing up, getting stronger constantly
When I remember how I cried and how I nearly died
All for a man who had gone to find a new life
Now I can laugh, my friend's so fine he never seemed to mind
When I needed all the help I could get to set me on my feet again
Water under the bridge carried my pain away from me
He was there trying to love and comfort me
Water under the bridge, I'm amazed at the change in me
I'm growing up, getting stronger constantly
I'm growing up, getting stronger constantly, yeah
The song Water Under The Bridge by Olivia Newton-John is a story of a woman who is left heartbroken and alone after her lover leaves her. The beginning of the song is quite gloomy as the singer talks about how rains came down and there was darkness all around when the person left without any word of where they were going. The singer falls on the ground in distress and needs help to stand up again. The metaphor of water flowing under the bridge is used throughout the song, signifying how time and the never-ending flow of life’s events can carry away pain and help one regain strength. The singer of the song meets a stranger who helps her through her pain, and gradually she starts feeling better, getting over the past experiences and growing stronger with each passing day.
Overall, the song is about hope and the cyclical nature of life. It tells us how time is a great healer and how the pain we experience can flow away just like water under the bridge. The stranger provides support to the singer in her weakest moments, and the hope they provide helps her come out strong on the other side.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday the rains came down, there was darkness all around
It was a dark day when my partner left me without a word
They told me you had gone to find a new life
I heard that you left to start a new life elsewhere
But you left no word of where you'd gone, I fell right to the ground
Without an explanation, your sudden exit left me devastated
And I needed all the help I could get to set me on my feet again
I needed support from those around me to get through the difficult time
Water under the bridge carried my pain away from me
Over time, the pain I experienced slowly dissipated and was carried away like water under a bridge
He was there trying to love and comfort me
Someone special helped me to heal by showing me love and comfort during a time of need
I'm amazed at the change in me
I'm surprised by how much I've grown and matured since experiencing heartbreak
I'm growing up, getting stronger constantly
I'm learning and becoming stronger with each passing day
I watched the ever-flowing stream as it washed away my dream
I watched as my hopes and dreams were slowly washed away like an ever-flowing stream
I felt like diving in and taking a ride
At times, I felt tempted to fully immerse myself in the pain and sadness of the breakup
But the stranger took me by the hand and held me by his side
Someone I didn't know well at the time offered support and comfort when I needed it most
When I remember how I cried and how I nearly died
Looking back, it's clear how deeply your departure affected me emotionally and mentally
All for a man who had gone to find a new life
It's strange to think how much I suffered for someone who had moved on so easily
Now I can laugh, my friend's so fine he never seemed to mind
Time heals all wounds, and I can now look back on this with a sense of humor and appreciation for the people who helped me through it
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sooon4123
Yesterday the rains came down,
there was darkness all around
They told me you had gone to find a new life
But you left no word of where you'd gone,
I fell right to the ground
And I needed all the help I could get
to set me on my feet again
Water under the bridge
carried my pain away from me
He was there trying to love and comfort me
Water under the bridge,
I'm amazed at the change in me
I'm growing up, getting stronger constantly
I watched the ever-flowing stream
as it washed away my dream
I felt like diving in and taking a ride
But the stranger took me by the hand
and held me by his side
When I needed all the help I could get
to set me on my feet again
Water under the bridge
carried my pain away from me
He was there trying to love and comfort me
Water under the bridge,
I'm amazed at the change in me
I'm growing up, getting stronger constantly
When I remember how I cried and how I nearly died
All for a man who had gone to find a new life
Now I can laugh, my friend's so fine
he never seemed to mind
When I needed all the help I could get
to set me on my feet again
Water under the bridge
carried my pain away from me
He was there trying to love and comfort me
Water under the bridge,
I'm amazed at the change in me
I'm growing up, getting stronger constantly
I'm growing up, getting stronger constantly,
yeah
@Talltrees84
Upbeat and positive. This song shows how one door closes and another one opens. Life goes on despite our setbacks and loses. We love and miss you Olivia!!!!
@lisaosfan
Little did I know that last Saturday night as I was listening to this song as I do every Saturday night be fore I turn of the PC and go to bed that Olivia wouldn't be with us for another Saturday night. Very sad week. Thank you Olivia for all of the awesome music that got me through my pre-teen , teen years and still do . God bless you !
@sahajad2005
Still a lovely song hearing it after all these years ! May she rest in peace !
@tilokarambukpitiya1035
beautiful song which cannot be forgotten for ever.superb singing.
@babyfir77
Playing my ONJ playlist in memory of this fine singer.
@brookcrowley4254
Wow, this rocks! With added sexiness from 12-string guitar and baritone saxophone, this will make you wanna dance!
@rmm1774
The Sweetheart of my teenage years. Not just Vocal Sunshine, Sunshine everything. After that came Grease followed by all kinds of personal issues. I wish she had had a much happier life.
@patriciaraulino7201
! OF MY ALL TIME FAVOURITES-SAW HER PERFORM THIS LIVE, A FEW TIMES. VOCAL SUNSHINE!!
@sskotteri6786
I love this song! I always listen repeating it. I think this number is suitable for driving!
@oscargilbertocardenaslara8912
Olivia Newton Jhon...Forever and forever more one day...rest in peace...Star forever bright in the sky....I love you♥️♥️⭐⭐🙏