John Travolta is one of America’s most enigmatic performers. He’s one of history’s biggest movie stars thanks to roles in films like Pulp Fiction, Grease, and Saturday Night Fever. The 69-year-old New Jersey-born performer has captured many a fan, many a heart, and many a song lyric. While he’s known for singing songs like “You’re The One That I Want” in Grease, Travolta tried his hand at other songs—even a Christmas record!
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Below, we will dive into four songs you likely didn’t know John Travolta sang.
1. “Easy Evil” (1977)
Written by Alan O’Day
You might not even need the music here, it’s enough to stare at Sinatra on this album cover to feel taken to a new space entirely. Nancy Sinatra first recorded this song in 1972 and it later appeared on her 1998 album, Sheet Music, many years later. And it was Sarah Vaughn who first released a rendition of the track in 1972 on her LP, Feelin’ Good. Written by Alan O’Day, Travolta took a stab at the song five years later in 1977 on his solo LP, Can’t Let You Go, and it’s as moody and groovy as you might imagine.
Well, you are such an easy, easy evil
Such a sensuous sin
Sometimes, sometimes I don’t know where I’m goin’, mm-mm-mm
‘Til I been taken in
Such an easy evil
Such a promise of fun
Sometimes I don’t know what I’m doin’
‘Til I’m done, you’re a sneaky one
2. “Silent Night” (2012)
Written by Franz Gruber, John Freeman Young, Joseph Mohr
You might be surprised to find out, but John Travolta and his Grease co-star Olivia Newton-John released a Christmas album together. But it wasn’t around the time of their ’70s car-themed movie fame. Instead, it was nearly 50 years later… in 2012. It’s true, the two collaborated on a number of holiday tracks for the album, from “Silent Night” to “Baby It’s Cold Outside” to “The Christmas Waltz.”
Silent night
Holy Night
Son of God
Love’s pure light
3. “You Set My Dreams to Music” (1977)
Written by Steve Dorff, Molly-Ann Leikin
Another from Travolta’s 1977 album, Can’t Let You Go, “You Set My Dreams to Music” was written by Steve Dorff and Molly-Ann Leikin and first released by actor and singer Chad Everett in 1976. But Travolta tried his hand a the acoustic guitar- and piano-driven tune. This flower power love song is all about devotion from young crushes.
Oh, I’m loving what I see
Each time you smile at me
I love the look of what you’re thinking
I know how it feels to fly
I’m glowing like the sky that’s on fire
As the sun is sinking
Oh, you set my dreams to music
As you spend the whole night making them come true
And in my whole life
I have never had a dream as sweet as you
4. “A Girl Like You” (1976)
Written by Eddie Brigati, Felix Cavaliere
This disco song was released on Travolta’s self-titled debut solo album in 1976. It boasts his boyish charm and his fast-paced flair. Does he have a voice to carry the tune? That’s up for debate. But either way, Travolta’s signature wide-eyed buoyancy is present in every syllable. While the first recording and release came in 1967 by the band the Young Rascals, Sinatra gave the song a shot nearly a decade later.
I don’t know what it’s all about
But I feel I”ll soon find out
I’m sure, never felt this secure
It’s nothin’ like I ever thought it would be
Someone opened up a door for me
A girl like you
Girl like you
Must be you that caused this feelin’ in me
You that fills me confidently
You that brings the best out in me
You, oh yeah you
Nobody but you
Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images
