Have You Never Been Mellow - Olivia Newton-John (1975) 3/20/22

Olivia Newton-John has a quite a sense of humor about herself--and her songs.

In 1975, she released one of her iconic hits: "Have You Never Been Mellow," written by John Farrar--who also wrote several of her other "Great Songs," including "Let Me Be There" and "Hopelessly Devoted to You."

According to John, he wrote the song while he was touring the US with Olivia. It seems her back-up band started using the word "mellow" to describe just about everything. (Think of it as their replacement for the word, "cool.")

It was annoying...but on the other hand, it gave John the title for Olivia's next album, as well as the inspiration for the title cut!

When the single was released, it was a triple chart hit in the US, reaching #1 on the Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary Charts, as well as #3 on the Country Chart. In Canada, it hit #1 on all 3 matching charts! Olivia also received a Grammy nomination for "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance."

As for Olivia's sense of humor? During her 2014 residency at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, she would introduce the song by saying, "About every 10 years, a really fantastic song comes along. And until it does, I'd like to sing this one..."

How very "mellow."

"Have You Never Been Mellow" by Olivia Newton John: a "Great Song of 1975."