Olivia Newton-John's Last Studio Recording Captured in Touching New Music Video [Exclusive Premiere]
When Dame Olivia Newton-John died at age 73 in August of 2022, she left a musical legacy behind. Though her latter years were spent battling breast cancer, she is remembered for iconic roles like good-girl-gone-bad Sandy in the seminal 1978 movie Grease (one of the most successful musicals ever made), and her 1981 album Physical, whose title track held the Billboard number one spot for 10 weeks.
Now, just shy of a year after her passing, her creative talent is again shining bright. At the time of her death, ONJ was working on a duet album; today (May 5) it’s finally out. Just The Two of Us: Duets Collection Volume 1 features Newton-John singing duets with Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey, Barry Gibb, Michael McDonald, John Travolta, Paul Anka, Jim Brickman, Richard Marx, and Kelly Lang.
Today, we're presenting the video premiere of Newton-Johnson’s duet with Kelly Lang. The two sing the Bee Gees classic “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart,” written by Barry and Robin Gibb. Lang and Newton-John go way back — not only as fellow artists, but also as close friends and cancer survivors. Lang's autobiography, I'm Not Going Anywhere, even includes a Foreword written by Olivia, a testament to their unbreakable sisterhood.
Of her musical collaboration with Newton-John, Lang tells FIRST for Women, “I’ll never forget the thrill of being in the studio and singing a duet with my musical hero, Dame Olivia Newton-John. The fact that we became close friends through Sir Barry Gibb, the writer of “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” the song we recorded, was even more special. I must say though, that since her passing, the words to this song are even more meaningful. While putting the footage together for this video, I have to admit that many tears were shed. It is very bittersweet now to watch it, knowing that we will never sing together again.”
The bond these two women shared went far beyond the studio. “What an honor it was to be Olivia’s friend,” Lang pronounces. “I was always so amazed of how much time and effort she put into nourishing our friendship, knowing how busy she was. Our bond was perhaps even stronger since we had both been breast cancer survivors — or “thrivers,” as she called us. We just clicked immediately. I loved all the personal videos she and I would send each other, just about girlfriend stuff. Hardly ever music talk. She was seriously the most kind-hearted and selfless person I’ve ever known. What a treasure. I still hear her sweet voice in my head daily and will forever cherish our time together.”
The video for “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart” showcases rare, behind-the-scenes photos of this friendship, as well as footage of some of Olivia Newton-John’s final studio recordings. Watch it below.
As an artist, Kelly Lang has released several albums including 11:11, Shades of K, Throwback, Obsession, and Iconic Duets with her husband T.G. Sheppard. In the spring of 2022 she re-released her classic children’s album Lullaby Country, which was originally sold at Cracker Barrel. Also in 2020, Lang released a collection of classic hits that she produced called Old Soul. As part of a national campaign, her voice and writing skills can be heard on television with her song “I’m Not Going Anywhere” as the official anthem for the Ascension Hospital commercial. In 2021, she released her autography I’m Not Going Anywhere. Lang’s new album, Old Soul II, the latest installment of vintage hits. is available now.
