"Love Is in the Air" is a 1977 disco song by Australian singer John Paul Young. It was written by George Young (no relation) and Harry Vanda, and released as the lead single from Young's fourth studio album, Love Is in the Air (1978). The song became a worldwide hit in 1978, peaking at No. 3 on the Australian charts and No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, it peaked at No. 7 on the pop chart and spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, his only U.S. top 40 hit. The song plays at 122 beats per minute, a typical 1970s disco rhythm.At the Australian 1978 King of Pop Awards, the song won Most Popular Australian Single.In 1992, a remix of the song was released and featured on the soundtrack to the Golden Globe-nominated film Strictly Ballroom. A new music video was also produced.
Overview
John Paul Young said of the recording, "We actually did 'Love Is in the Air' because we needed something for the German market. 'Standing in the Rain' became a hit in the clubs over there and then on the charts, so we needed a follow-up. I'd been to Germany and heard the music. It was electronic mania, all clicks and electronic buzzes. So George and Harry gave it the treatment." Young performed "Love is in the Air" live on episode 148 of Countdown on 30 April 1978 and on Top of the Pops on 4 May 1978.
"Love Is in the Air" was the theme song to Baz Luhrmann's 1992 debut feature film Strictly Ballroom.
Young performed the song at the Closing Ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
The song is regularly sung at football matches by supporters of Dundee United.
The song was played at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy during the opening ceremony's parade of athletes.