On This Day 51 Years Ago, Olivia Newton-John Was at No. 1 With an Album That Beat Out Elton John and the Eagles

Although perhaps best known for starring opposite John Travolta in the 1978 film Grease, Olivia Newton-John was already an established singer-songwriter by then. The British-born Australian star landed 15 Top 10 singles—including five chart-toppers—along with two No. 1 albums. On this day (April 18) in 1975, Newton-John reached the pinnacle of the U.S. country albums chart with Have You Never Been Mellow.

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Released in February 1975, her sixth LP would also top the Billboard 200. This gave the Grease star her second No. 1 entry on that chart after 1974’s If You Love Me, Let Me Know.

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The Title Track Landed Olivia Newton-John a Grammy Nomination

Have You Never Been Mellow was buoyed by the success of its lead single and title track. Released in January 1975, the song gave Olivia Newton-John her second No. 1 hit on the all-genre Hot 100. It followed 1974’s “I Honestly Love You”.)

It also topped the adult contemporary chart and reached No. 3 on the Hot Country Songs chart, further cementing the doe-eyed blonde’s reputation as a crossover star.

“Have You Never Been Mellow” received a Grammy nod for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. However, it lost out to Janis Ian’s “At Seventeen”.

In June 1975, Newton-John released the follow-up single, “Please Mr. Please”. Continuing her hot streak, the song spent 12 weeks in the Top 40, peaking at No. 3. It also topped the adult contemporary chart and hit No. 5 on the country chart.

Additionally, Have You Never Been Mellow beat out the Eagles and Elton John for Favorite Pop/Rock Album at the 1976 American Music Awards.

[RELATED: 13 Songs You Didn’t Know Were Written by Olivia Newton-John]

She Held This Record For 45 Years

When Have You Never Been Mellow climbed to the top of the U.S. Billboard 200, just 154 days had passed since Olivia Newton-John held that same spot with If You Love Me, Let Me Know. This marked the Guinness World Record for the shortest gap between new No. 1 albums for a female artist.

Newton-John held onto this record for 45 years until Taylor Swift broke it in 2020. Just 140 days separated the No. 1 reigns of Swift’s sister albums folklore and evermore.

On August 8, 2022, Olivia Newton-John died of breast cancer at age 73.

Featured image by Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns