Peak
1
Weeks
23
Score
4,576
Chart Year
1980
A video was shot for the new remix in Sydney in an attempt to break the Guinness Book World Record for largest cast in a music video by featuring 350 people. Newton-John does not appear in the video, which was directed by DJ Dan Murphy.
Written by Olivia Newton-John's longtime producer John Farrar, "Magic" appears on the soundtrack to the movie Xanadu, which she starred in along with Gene Kelly. The song deals with destiny and faith, and its easygoing melody and clear vocals proved much more accessible than the movie. While the film floundered, this song was a huge hit, staying at #1 on the Hot 100 for four weeks and on the Adult Contemporary chart for five weeks during the summer of 1980. The follow-up single, the title song from the film, went to #8 in the US. The next year, Newton-John had her biggest hit with "Physical." "Magic" became the first word to serve as both the title of a chart-topping hit and the name of an artist behind a leading song after the Canadian band Magic! topped the Hot 100 in July 2014 with "Rude." (Exclamation point excluded). Remarkably, this is the only song with the word "Magic" in the title to hit #1 on the Hot 100. The two that came closest: "Puff The Magic Dragon" by Peter, Paul and Mary and "Magic Stick" by 50 Cent, which each hit #2. According to John Farrar, this song took a while to record and about three days to mix. This was performed on the Season 1 finale of Glee, "Journey to Regionals," by a rival group at the Regionals competition. Newton-John appeared as one of the celebrity judges. Shortly before his death in 1980, John Lennon told Newsweek he enjoyed this song and "All Over The World," a Xanadu track by ELO.
Come take my hand You should know me I've always been in your mind You know I will be kind I'll be guiding you Building your dream Has to start now There's no other road to take You won't make a mistake I'll be guiding you You have to believe we are magic Nothing can stand in our way You have to believe we are magic Don't let your aim ever stray And if all your hopes survive Destiny will arrive I'll bring all your dreams alive For you I'll bring all your dreams alive For you From where I stand You are home free The planets align so rare There's promise in the air And I'm guiding you Through every turn I'll be near you I'll come anytime you call I'll catch you when you fall I'll be guiding you You have to believe we are magic Nothing can stand in our way You have to believe we are magic Don't let your aim ever stray And if all your hopes survive Destiny will arrive I'll bring all your dreams alive For you I'll bring all your dreams alive For you Hey, have to believe we are magic Nothing can stand in our way You have to believe we are magic Don't let your aim ever stray And if all your hopes survive Destiny will arrive I'll bring all your dreams alive For you I'll bring all your dreams alive For you
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 24, 1980 | 74 | 52 |
| 2 | May 31, 1980 | 64 | 62 |
| 3 | Jun 7, 1980 | 50 | 76 |
| 4 | Jun 14, 1980 | 36 | 90 |
| 5 | Jun 21, 1980 | 24 | 102 |
| 6 | Jun 28, 1980 | 16 | 110 |
| 7 | Jul 5, 1980 | 14 | 112 |
| 8 | Jul 12, 1980 | 8 | 118 |
| 9 | Jul 19, 1980 | 7 | 119 |
| 10 | Jul 26, 1980 | 2 | 124 |
| 11 | Aug 2, 1980 | 1 | 125 |
| 12 | Aug 9, 1980 | 1 | 125 |
| 13 | Aug 16, 1980 | 1 | 125 |
| 14 | Aug 23, 1980 | 1 | 125 |
| 15 | Aug 30, 1980 | 3 | 123 |
| 16 | Sep 6, 1980 | 6 | 120 |
| 17 | Sep 13, 1980 | 13 | 113 |
| 18 | Sep 20, 1980 | 27 | 99 |
| 19 | Sep 27, 1980 | 27 | 99 |
| 20 | Oct 4, 1980 | 65 | 61 |