Despite her long string of hits, most people do not realize the great vocalist she was. The world is a lesser place without her in it.

Olivia was the complete package. Beauty, beautiful voice, and beautiful personality. Love her to this day.

R.i.P. Olivia Newton-John. As an Aussie, it's a very sad day here. Thank you for highlighting an incredible vocal performer and incredibly wonderful person.

Her accuracy is off the charts and her ability to tell a story in a song is incredible......no tricks or Auto tune needed.

Who's more versatile than Olivia Newton-John? No one can touch her. She's influenced so much, but is criminally underappreciated. She was IT in the '70s through the mid-'80s. She, Streisand and Donna Summer were that era's Trinity. Every straight guy wished to date her, and every girl (and many guys) wanted to BE her. I can go on about her for hours. Once-in-a-lifetime talent that is unappreciated these days because she's a crooner rather than a belter.

Olivia not only sings with an almost incomparable range, and control, this woman who has been my favorite singer for fifty years now, since age seven, the very first time I heard her on the radio, and the woman I have had a crush on for almost as long, sings with EMOTION. She sang and sings without auto-tune, does perfect tracks and backing vocals. There will never, ever be anyone like Olivia Newton-John, the world's sweetheart, and tremendous humanitarian. She also learned as a young woman in Australia, on television, how to use, and look at the camera, which along with her tremendous voice, beauty and emotion, instantly made much of the world instantly fall head over heels with her voice; and beauty. I will forever love Olivia, and she will always be my favorite vocalist of all time, until I am dead.

Olivia Newton John is one of the most underrated female singers in the world. A Icon with one of the biggest hearts and a phenomenal voice.

I've always loved this performance of Sam, but I had no idea how impressive it also is technically!

I was 14 years old when I saw this concert on HBO in 1982. I’m 55 years old now and I’ve been in love with her ever since! 😊

I hope Olivia has had the chance to see and hear this analysis that so clearly validates her vocal ability. Just amazing!

She has one of the most beautiful voices I’ve ever heard!

She’s such a beautiful person inside and out. I’ve loved her voice since I was a little girl in the 70’s. She’s rocking that mullet, too!

Absolutely gutted today...Olivia was my first boyhood crush, and I've remained in love with her. She was absolutely wonderful, on and off stage. May she Rest in Peace. 💔😔💔😔

What an excellent breakdown by Fil for why everyone recognizes Olivia Newton John’s exceptional level of talent… but mostly without the depth of understanding that Fil’s explanation brings to us here. Keep the songs, the voices, and your fun and informative reviews coming, Fil! YOU ROCK!!! :D

Olivia has been always so underrated. As others have said very versatile. Thank you Fil for explaining to the world how good. I have seen her perform live a few times and she proves she is a real singer. No extra bells and whistles required. Just the beauty of her voice.

Depending on how she felt on any given night, Olivia would SOAR with the highest notes on "Sam" & "Jolene"...no soundboards, etc. A pure singer - artist. God, she will be so missed. Her power & range were so much stronger than it was here in 1982. Nobody else like her. RIP to a beautiful soul.

To watch the outpouring of love and respect for Olivia since she passed away tells you what an amazing person she was and how much she was admired as a person and a performer. RIP Olivia. What a gift she was to the world.

As you know the 1970's had a wide range musical style and sounds Olivia's soft vocal was much a part of my teen years as rock and roll was. I know she has ongoing health issues with breast cancer and back pain wishing her minimal pain as possable.

What a performance, never fully appreciated her. But you left out one crucial feature, and that was the fact that she was singing a very complex melody, almost jazz-like in nature, idiosyncratic, and she nailed every note, never sounded flat. Wow. Amazing. Thanks as always.

As a hard rock guy I never would have gave songs like this a second listen. Fil's genius lies in his ability to teach the rest of us how to hear and appreciate a song like he does. My musical world has greatly expanded because of him. I'm now an Olivia Newton John fan but don't tell anyone

That about brought tears to my eyes. She is an amazingly talented, incredible human being. I've always thought the Xanadu soundtrack was ahead of its time. Thank you SO much for this video!

I’ve been a fan of hers for close to 40 years. Little 9-year-old me clocked that she was an exceptional vocalist - and that she made it all look so effortless that many wouldn’t fully appreciate it - but it’s great to have a technical explanation of just how extraordinary her vocal technique actually is. Thanks for this brilliant video! 🙏

Dude, a rock dude myself, I canNOT believe you hit any song at all from this show, to me it’s one of the greatest vocal performers EVER, front-to-back of the entire show. ONJ was DEF at her vocal peak in ‘82, I would loooove to hear you do this type of reaction to Silvery Rain and then secondly Jolene from this show. MAGIC is also SO much better and breathtaking vocally live than on record. To this day I don’t think her voice has ever been FULLY done it’s justice on a studio recording, and they all sound pretty damn good anyway! She is SO much better and full -sounding vocally live ❤️🔥🌻✌️ Groove on dude!

I had the privilege to meet her and her sister when she was doing a concert in Copenhagen. I was doing hair and makeup for the concert that included among others Tina Turner, Morten Harkert of A-ha fame. Olivia wanted to have her bangs shorter and I offered to cut them but she told me she had been cutting her own bangs for years, so she ended up borrowing my scissors and cutting them herself. She was very nice and down to earth, and made everyone feel like they mattered. And this was shortly after her boyfriend vanished during a fishing trip of the coast of Los Angeles and was presumed dead.

She was greatly underrated as a singer. I always loved the way she often did that "voice crack" or "yodeling" thing with her voice (don't know the official term for that). She could sing anything. Even belt out rock songs which is something I wish she had done more of. She was amazing at her peak. Wonderful analysis.

I briefly met olivia in the foyer of a large Sydney Hotel about 15 years ago. She was leaving the hotel to get into the back of a car, & I yelled out Olivia. She turned, said that's me, smiled & waves. She was a very classy lady. RIP Olivia.

Forty years ago?! Oh man, I’m old. Olivia was EVERY guy’s heartthrob back then. You are missed, Liv. ❤️😢

I saw her at the Paris in Vegas some years back. 35 piece band. When she came out it was almost a little breathtaking. One of the finest voices and she still had some of her highest notes available.

She has so much variety with that lovely voice. She can do airy/mysterious like in “Magic”, emotionally tortured like here, sultry/sexy like “A Little More Love”. And her voice is so pleasingly sweet. Thanks for doing this piece on her, Fil - she has always been one of my faves😍

I fell in love with ONJ after seeing her sing this song on the midnight special. Her passion and commitment to the vocal was spellbinding. I've loved her ever since. Her voice causes chemical reactions in my brain that just feel so damn good.

So pleased you did an expert analysis of Olivia. I've been boring everyone around me for years on how technically great she is. Superb vid! Many thanks :)

You've opened my ears to how great Oliva was.

When I say Olivia has the voice of an Angel, I really believe if Angels do sing they would sound like exactly like Olivia Newton John. Vocally unique Olivia take you to so many different places spiritually. Also she has the uncanny ability to sing directly into the camera as if she's singing only to you in the audience. I've seen Olivia 3x in concert! Just phenomenal! She has an aurora of true authenticity 😇

Olivia is one of the best of all time and so underrrated! Beautiful and talented...

Maybe the best interpretation of Sam ever... Olivia has been a Giant as Artist and Woman... One of the most important and best singers of the Contemporary Times by far... RIP Livvy!!!

Well thank you Fil. I think we forget about Olivia. Time has a cruel ambivalence. Being a singer myself, what she does here is insane to do in a recording session and “other worldly” to do live. No, I cannot do this even in my range, lol. But I know amazing when I hear it. Wow I never realized how good she really was.

Beautiful lady with a great voice. Olivia has had so many great hits such as "I Honestly Love You", "If Not for You", "Let Me Be There", "If You Love Me (Let Me Know)", "Have You Never Been Mellow", "Hopelessly Devoted To You" & her duet with John Travolta "You're the One That I Want" & "Summer Nights" (from movie Grease).

Thank you for bringing back Olivia into my life. You actually made me understand why I loved her singing so much in the 70’s. The best part of her performances was that my 1st wife also liked her.

I'd forgotten how good ONJ was back then. Most people remember just one song "Physical", or her work in Grease, and those were far from her best work. Thanks for doing her justice. She is a great singer and person.

Longtime producer John Farrar once said Olivia was the purest vocal talents he's ever worked with! She would come into the studio and just nail it on the first take! Then she would say I could do it better and then she would! That being said... Monday, God called back one of his angels to heaven, We have all been blessed for many years with your angelic voice. your loving heart and the beauty of a Goddess among mortals. Our lives are truly better for the gift that has been bestowed upon us, Millions fell in love with you from afar and those who have had the privileged to meet you in person actually fell in love with you. You have touched our hearts, our minds and our souls and will forever hold a special place within us, Rest in peace Olivia. We will always love you.

She's been such a lovely part of the soundtrack of our lives in the US, too. Thanks for illuminating her vocal skill so well! I noticed we can't say the word "air" without a lot of air.

I have always loved "Sam", one of my favorites by her. It is just such a great song and a great showcase for her voice. Should have been a bigger hit, but sometimes that is just the way. A nice gem for us who love good music. I was in the Air Force, 1980, just 18 and bought her Greatest Hits (early years). I used to get drunk at the NCO club (Monterey, CA - Defense Language Institute, Presidio of Monterey, studying Russian 8 hours a day, five days a week, a fantastic time in my life) go back to my dorm room and put that on my headphones in bed and just doze off to her voice singing those great old songs.

Rest in peace Olivia... Superb vocalist and should be known for more than just being Sandy in Grease 👍

I've never seen this performance with her fil or knew she demonstrate this technique she has a wonderful beautiful voice love her singing and love her voice in grease she is wonderful such a great live singer amazing performance

The artist typically will make all these phenomenal vocal gymnastics seem easy, natural. That is the difference between someone who just sings & an artist who puts all into the final product @ the astonishment of her audience. She always delivers.

This song and the artful way Olivia sang it is a performance of aching melancholy longing. She told the story of the lyrics beautifully.

I remember this exact same concert. It was a 1982 HBO special concert and my parents taped it on our VCR. I remember my grandfather would come over for dinner once every week. He was close to 80 yo and I was about 7 yo and he would ask me to put this concert on for him every time he came over cuz he didn’t know how to work the VCR. Sometimes he’d watch the entire thing twice in a row. Ironically his name was Sam (the name of this particular song) and I was named after him. She was beautiful and an absolutely amazing talent. Literally every single song on this concert was amazing. And have you ever seen anyone make a over-the-top mullet look so beautiful?! She definitely deserves her place among the greatest pop/rock/country stars ever!!! Today’s music just doesn’t seem to have the same soul as the music of that era. She was one of the biggest international superstars of that time but sadly she seems to be under appreciated today

I love that performance… she should be on the list of the best singers of all time… so underrated

I remember her in the 80’s and she sold over 100 million records. Every girl idolized her and every guy was in love with her. She was the greatest female pop star of my generation… The millennials weren’t around then and missed out on true talent and real beauty.

She is very underrated for her voice. She was one of my first crushes as a little boy. My dad listened to country music and that’s how I first heard her. I know she got more famous for her pop style songs, but her ballads are incredible. Hopelessly Devoted to You is my favorite ballad of hers. The live performance I believe on Midnight Special was astounding.

‘Magic’ is another song where she displays wonderful vocal skills

Loving the little grin Fil always has while listening to the performances. He knows just how good the artists truly are!

So sad to hear of Olivia's passing. She was just wonderful, and losing her and Judith Durham within a few days of each other really hits me.

I really appreciate how you pointed out the way she dramatized the lyrics with masterful technique. It’s hard to do this and keep it sweet and real.

Great video. I’ve loved Olivia since I was 7 years old. I’m now 57. I’ve watched this concert a million times. Sam is my favorite song from this concert. I saw her twice in concert. I will forever miss her.

I’m so glad you analyzed Olivia’s singing voice. I have absolutely adored her my whole life. I really appreciate her being appreciated. Especially considering what’s going on with her now. Olivia was and is so much more than a huge pop and country star. She was always involved with great causes. She always seemed incredibly kind and humble. She was and still is gorgeous. Then, on top of that, that crystal clear angelic voice. I saw her in concert again about five or six years ago. I don’t know how she could still sound so amazing. She has shown immense strength, will power, and grace in her many years battle with cancer. I wish her all the best. Thank you again for giving her just a bit of the credit she is due.

So so glad to see Olivia be acknowledged for her vast vocal skill.

Underrated singer. There's a live show with her, ABBA and Andy Gibb here on YT. Completely amazing.

I was lucky enough to see her on this tour and I was blown away by how good this show was. She was outstanding!!!!! About a decade later I got to see her again and she was still OUTSTANDING!

I was a huge ONJ fan. I had posters and photos of her covering my wall in high school and waited in line to see Grease on opening day. She won a slew of American Music Awards. In your analysis, I was surprised by her range. I'd never noticed her low end and forgot that she could go as high as she did.

She and Sheena Easton had 2 of the most incredible voices of the 70-90's! Mariah's got nothing on them.

She has such real, legit vocal chops and makes it totally work for pop music at the same time. Wow!

Wow. She was so beautiful with a clear, strong voice without yelling. There’s something mellow and calming listening to her. Rest in peace Livvy. 💝

I have such admiration for Olivia! This concert not only shows what an amazing singer she is, but what a great entertainer she is, connecting with the audience, the band and the camera seemingly so effortlessly. Love her! ❤️

I have always found her quite amazing and not just for her beauty! Her voice is truly as beautiful as she is..

Purity, Beauty, Class, Brilliance, Heartwarming Soul & Voice !

Had to stop the video to type this. Something in my eyes.. what a wonderful lady and I never tire of hearing her sing. What she is going through she doesn’t deserve.. God bless her.. 🙏❤️ Thanks, Fil..👍

I grew up with ONJ and thought she was talented, but I just discovered this concert video about a week ago and was stunned by her control. Thanks for putting this excellent analysis together, she truly deserved it.

Aw, she mesmerized everyone instantly! She always put her whole heart into her performances. I grew up watching her and singing along with her songs. I haven't heard this one in decades. I had not seen this performance. Some of the highest notes I've heard her hit. Extra points for the 80's hair!

Don Black needs more credit for this as the lyricist....it is a lyrical masterpiece. The songs allows Olivia to paint a picture of a woman telling the listener of her ultimate loss....just have one more listen to those words and the "emotional vocal"(yes, I mean't that rhyme!!) of the amaing OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN....gone but NEVER EVER forgotten. My favourite singer ever....any wonder why? My sister sent me a text about her passing...that has never happened before. I was in Weymouth, England when she gave me the news. My daughter once delivered Olivia's Greatests Hits Album to me months after I lost it during the divorce. That was the moment I became lost for words.

This entire concert is a gem. So great.

I am glad you did this Fil. I have always loved Olivia Newton-John. I have watched this concert many, many times. Each time I am blown away with her power, her pitch, and how she can sign about any style flawlessly. She is amazing!

What a lyrical gymnast! She was truly one of a kind and this world will definitely notice her passing now and forever! Go sing with them angels Dame Olivia and thank you from the bottom of our ❤️!

Olivia Newton-John’s music has never been my type of music, but I have always considered her as one of the most talanted singers out there. The effortless with which she moves between singing techniques and different hights…. And always, ALWAYS, in tune. - Amazing. Thank you for this great break-down!

OMG!! I've never been so favourably shocked in all my life listening to this. I absolutely adore Olivia and listened to her songs religiously growing up in the 70's and 80's. I was blown completely away by her range just then. I have her album with this song on it but this Live version was outstanding. ✨🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 What a pure superstar ✨🙏🏾💜💜💜🌺 Love & Miss you Olivia.

Firstly, Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Thanks for showcasing an absolute legend! Secondly, holy mullet! Go the 80’s! Finally, really enjoyed the analysis. 👍🏻

I saw this concert with a friend on VHS in 1985. I vividly remember how emotional we felt. My friend even cried of happiness. We were in our teens - she was our idol, our muse - Xanadu was our special place. He died in 2004. Now he must be happy because Olivia is also in heaven.

She delivers warmth and emotion with big impact that goes straight to the heart.Also love her duets with Andy GIBB aND also that soulful one with Barry(Face to face)SAM is also a beautiful example.

Oh god talk about heart strings. My dog was called Sam and I was a kid at the time and I adored this song. He died and I was broken hearted, 40 years later I can still remember arguing with the vet! I learned biology since. Anyway a beautiful song and she was amazing in the 70s.

Such an amazing singer and performer….as well as person. As a young American male growing up in Southern California in the sixties, seventies and eighties, and always having been a music lover, Olivia and her music were a substantial part of my life…….and she was probably my first celebrity crush….with a nod to Karen Carpenter in that respect. Both gone now…..incredible voices….take your place singing with the angels, Olivia!

You are giving all us lesser mortals when it comes to vocal techniques another level of appreciation and it's amazing to understand a little more. THANKS FIL. ROCK!

Very powerful falsetto/whistle range. Great tone throughout her registers. Cheers!

I was soo fortunate to have gone to this concert and yes she is an amazing live performer. This was a great deconstruction of her vocals

I appreciate when you explain whatever technique a singer is utilizing because it helps me understand why I had to practice so much as a kid, trying to imitate the voices I heard on the radio. One of my happiest moments was finally being able to hit the ending note of, "Hopelessly Devoted to You." I had no vocal training until I was in my 20s, so everything I did until that point was basically self taught. I actually ruined my voice due to bad technique. I lost my voice entirely (singing and speaking!) for about a year. It wasn't until after many medical tests ruled out anything like growths/cancer that I found a wonderful voice teacher. He helped me unlearn bad habits, establish correct ones, and get my voice back, better than ever.

She is one of those artists that I have never really enjoyed her songs...but at the same time have always appreciated how good her voice is. Like she is amazing just not my style. Also she is a really neat person. Thanks for the analysis.

What more can be said? On top of all this talent and artistry, she was one of the most beautiful women there ever was, inside and out, with a heart of gold. The greatest of all time! 💕💗💕

I love this concert and I own it. Olivia's voice is incredible throughout the whole thing, along with her stage presence...LOVE IT!

Olivia was perfect in every way. She was angelic.

Fil, another great analysis of our darling Olivia. Many have commented on her genius in a variety of musical genres. This is a pretty complex piece, and her voice takes us effortlessly through it.

Greatly loved in Melbourne, Australia. She's been on our radar for 15 years before she did "Grease". Hope she is feeling well and living her life.

RIP Olivia... The voice of an angel has returned home. Gone but she will never be forgotten...This song has always made me cry and it hits 10x harder now … Her control of her voice was just amazing..

I think Olivia is great and I have always loved her music as she always seems so natural yet meaningful.Thank you for another great analysis I really enjoyed it

RIP in Olivia Newton-John. My memories of Olivia Newton-John goes back to when I was a young child, I’ve always been in awe of her beauty and voice.

What an entertainer, I have always loved her music and "Sam" is one of her best yet underrated songs. It peaked at #20 pop, #40 country and #1 A/C. Thank you Fil for a great analysis on one of musics best female singers. I always loved her range even when she screeches those high notes. Sadly her health has been taking a toll on her and I think her battle with cancer going on 30 years is becoming or making her a legend for such a brave fight. Last few years were rough on her losing her mother and both her brother and sister for various types of cancer. Again great analysis

Olivia is one of the most underrated singers ever. Love her singing voice, especially in her early stuff before she went pop.

This lady has a beautiful voice! Incredible voice. ❤️❤️

She was my initial crush as a pre-pubescent kid. The voice is amazing. I believe she is underrated, and her name never comes up in the conversation of the great singers

Never heard this song of hers. Loved her singing in Grease, such a unique, sweet voice. Thanks Fil 😊💚

WOW! MANY THANK YOU FOR OLIVIA!I had bought this gig on VHS while being in London in 1990 from HMV!Got totally astonished by her live performance.Such a well concetrated live performer!In some points i couldn't believe my ears!For me OLIVIA and KAREEN were the 2 ultimate mainstream female Soloists ever in the pop scene.2 utopic stand alone diamonds.Livy a feathery soprano Kareen a velvet contralto.Another one worth to be analyzed is her phenomenal recording to her1978 track "PleasE don't keep me waiting" esp in the song's outro.High Voice used as an instrument.

Olivia is truly gifted and definitely underappreciated. Charismatic voice and gifted skill.