The Meaning Behind “The Rumour”: Olivia Newton-John’s Forgotten Collaboration With Elton John

At the height of her career, Olivia Newton-John struggled to match the success of her 1981 album Physical. When she returned two albums later with The Rumour (1988) and a collaboration with Elton John, she was hopeful it might be her comeback. But in the late 80s, the pop landscape was dominated by teen sensations Debbie Gibson and Tiffany. Though critics praised The Rumour, it failed commercially in comparison to Physical. Still, both Olivia Newton-John and Elton John appear to have fun singing about a breakup on the title track. Regardless of changing pop trends or the tune’s busted romance, at least they had a good time.

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Is This Really the End?

It may not be a traditional duet, but John’s voice is undeniably powerful and cannot be contained in a background vocal. He supports Newton-John as the narrators throw their hands in the air to face the hard truth of a breakup.

The song describes the moment you know it won’t last. A last-minute denial of something you can’t fix.

“This is the last time I’ll look across this table
And try to face a feeling I don’t even recognize
This is a sad hand that reached across and touched you
When all we’d built around us came crashing to the ground.”

When rumors (non-British spelling) begin, there’s a chance the stories aren’t true. But Newton-John recognizes that “you can’t argue with your heart.” The debate ends when romantic feelings disappear. If this were a meme, the heartbreak would spread to both partners with the blinding speed of social media.

“But I still tried to love you, I still tried to care
Still tried to hold on with the power of my prayers
But you can’t fight the rumour
You can’t argue with your heart, no
Once the rumour spreads, once the rumour spreads
Once the rumour spreads, the truth is just a thing of the past.”

But Sad Never Sounded So Happy

John wrote “The Rumour” with his longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin. Though the song centers on a failing relationship, John and Taupin make the couple’s despair sound like an arena pop song.

Newton-John’s delivery remains upbeat. Similar to a Bruce Springsteen song, where the hope doesn’t lie in the lyrics, but in the melody and the power of a great band.

James Newton Howard co-produced the track with John. Its dense arrangement includes John’s driving digital piano and a bright horn section. The cheerful arrangement leaves the impression that breaking up never felt so good.

“The Rumour” wasn’t a big hit for Olivia Newton-John, but it’s still a gem in her catalog; and it’s a truly gorgeous lost “duet” with Elton John.

Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images