Top 10 Artists that Were Influenced by Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John was an Australian pioneer who, along with David Bowie, influenced a generation of artists to create and perform the music we hear today. Many modern songs were clearly or subtly inspired by her work.

She, along with David Bowie, also helped pioneer versatility in style and the use of various genres in pop music worldwide.

Rest in peace to the original queen of pop (1948-2022).

The Top Ten

Kylie Minogue

Kylie Ann Minogue is an Australian-British singer and actress. She first gained recognition starring in the Australian soap opera Neighbours as Charlene Robinson. Minogue later transitioned to music and became a pop icon, known for hits like Can't Get You Out of My Head and Spinning Around.... read more

She's Australian and she admitted she "wanted to be all Newton-John," who was one of her biggest inspirations (along with Prince, David Bowie, Michael Jackson, and Madonna) for her music. She continues making music in multiple genres including dance, country, and contemporary to this day.
Madonna

Madonna Louise Ciccone, known professionally as Madonna, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She has influenced many artists, including Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Beyoncé Knowles, and Britney Spears. Often referred to as the "Queen of Pop," she has played a significant... read more

She was clearly influenced by Olivia Newton-John (along with David Bowie and Michael Jackson). She continues exploring many genres, including dance, jazz, country, and contemporary. She became the main queen of pop for this versatility.
One Direction

One Direction (commonly abbreviated as 1D) was a British and Irish pop boy band composed of Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and originally Zayn Malik, who departed on March 25, 2015.
The group formed on The X Factor UK in 2010, finishing third, and then signed with Simon... read more

Their hit What Makes You Beautiful was an obvious interpolation of Summer Nights (with John Travolta) from Grease. It became their biggest hit to this day.
Pat Benatar

Patricia Mae Andrzejewski, known professionally as Pat Benatar, is an American singer, songwriter, and four-time Grammy Award winner. She rose to prominence in the 1980s with hit singles such as Hit Me with Your Best Shot, Love Is a Battlefield, and We Belong. Benatar was inducted into the Rock and Roll... read more

Her song Hit Me With Your Best Shot was clearly influenced by Summer Nights (with John Travolta) from Grease.
Doja Cat

Amalaratna Zandile Dlamini, known professionally as Doja Cat, is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter from Los Angeles. She is known for her songs "Mooo!", "Juicy", and "Say So", the latter of which reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Doja Cat has since released multiple chart-topping albums... read more

Her vocals in Kiss Me More (with SZA) interpolated Physical. It's her biggest collaborative hit.
SZA

Solána Imani Rowe (born November 8, 1989), known professionally as SZA, is an American singer-songwriter. Recognized for her diaristic lyrics and alternative R&B sound that incorporates multiple genres, she is a significant figure in shaping contemporary R&B music. Her blockbuster sophomore album SOS... read more

The vocals in her biggest hit Kiss Me More (also by Doja Cat) interpolated Physical.
Miley Cyrus

Miley Ray Cyrus (born Destiny Hope Cyrus), known professionally as Miley Cyrus, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She was born on November 23, 1992, in Franklin, Tennessee, to Tish Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus. Her voice type is popularly described as a lyric mezzo soprano, with a vocal range... read more
Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa (born August 22, 1995) is an English singer and songwriter who has achieved international success. She was born in Westminster, London, to Albanian parents originally from Kosovo. Her debut self‑titled album was released in 2017 and earned her multiple awards, including a Grammy for Best New... read more

Her song Physical was influenced by Olivia's song of the same title, and Prisoner (with Miley Cyrus) interpolated her song. Additionally, We're Good was apparently influenced by There Are Worse Things I Could Do (with John Travolta) from Grease.
Coldplay

Coldplay is a British rock band formed in 1996. The group includes Chris Martin (lead vocals, piano), Jonny Buckland (lead guitar), Guy Berryman (bass), and Will Champion (drums, backing vocals). Their manager, Phil Harvey, is often referred to as the unofficial fifth member.... read more
Victorious Cast

Victorious is an American sitcom created by Dan Schneider that originally aired on Nickelodeon from March 27, 2010, through February 2, 2013. The series follows aspiring singer Tori Vega, who attends Hollywood Arts High School after unexpectedly taking her sister Trina's place in a talent showcase.... read more

The vocals at the end of their song It's Not Christmas Without You were apparently influenced by You're the One That I Want (with John Travolta) from Grease.

The Newcomers

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Sheena Easton
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Terri Clark

The Contenders

Bella Poarch
Delta Goodrem

Delta Lea Goodrem is an Australian singer-songwriter and actress. Born and raised in Sydney, New South Wales, she enrolled in dancing, acting, singing, and piano classes at a young age. She rose to fame with her debut album Innocent Eyes, which was a commercial success in Australia.
Tegan and Sara

Tegan and Sara are a Canadian indie pop band formed in 1998 in Calgary, Alberta, composed of identical twin sisters Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Keirsten Quin. Both musicians are songwriters and multi-instrumentalists. The pair have released ten studio albums and numerous EPs, including Crybaby in 2022.

The lyrics in their song Closer were based on Physical, so they were obviously influenced by Olivia Newton-John.
The Corrs

Their song Summer Sunshine is an apparent indication they were inspired by Olivia Newton-John. It resembles Summer Nights (with John Travolta) from Grease and has summer in the name. Additionally, Baby Be Brave sounds like Magic.
Cyndi Lauper

Cynthia Ann Stephanie "Cyndi" Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and LGBT rights activist. Her career has spanned over 40 years. She gained fame in the 1980s with her debut album She's So Unusual, which included hits like "Girls Just Want to Have Fun."

Apparently, she's been trying to use Olivia Newton-John's music style and versatility.
Emeli Sande

Adele Emily Sandé, better known as Emeli Sandé, is a Scottish recording artist and songwriter. She gained prominence with her debut album Our Version of Events in 2012, which became the best-selling album in the UK that year. Sandé has won several awards, including Brit Awards for Best British Female... read more

Her song Next to Me has vocals somewhat similar to You're the One That I Want (with John Travolta) from Grease, indicating she was apparently influenced by Olivia Newton-John.
Taylor Swift

Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter, born on December 13, 1989, in Reading, Pennsylvania. She developed a strong interest in country music around the age of nine after watching a Faith Hill documentary. Swift moved to Nashville as a teenager and, after signing with RCA Records, began... read more

Olivia Newton-John performed You're the One That I Want (with John Travolta) from Grease, which apparently inspired Emeli Sandé to do Next to Me. This, in turn, inspired Taylor Swift to sing Me (ft. Brendon Urie). The vocals tell all.
Brendon Urie

Brendon Boyd Urie, more commonly known as Brendon Urie, was born April 12, 1987, in St. George, Utah. He is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and multi-instrumentalist. He became best known as the lead singer of the pop-rock band Panic! at the Disco and was its only constant member until the... read more

Taylor Swift's song Me (which he was featured on) was inspired by Emeli Sandé's Next to Me, which was apparently inspired by You're the One That I Want (with John Travolta) from Grease.
Little Mix

Little Mix is a British girl group formed in 2011. The group originally consisted of Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Jesy Nelson. Jesy Nelson left the group in 2020, and the remaining trio continued performing and releasing music until their hiatus in 2022.
Joshua Bassett
Ava Max

Amanda Ava Koci (born February 16, 1994), better known by her stage name Ava Max, is an American singer and songwriter. She rose to fame in the late 2010s with her breakthrough single "Sweet but Psycho," which topped the charts in over 20 countries. Ava Max has also released several other successful... read more

The melody of her song So Am I was apparently influenced by There Are Worse Things I Could Do (with John Travolta) from Grease.
Bangtan Boys (BTS)

BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a seven-member South Korean boy band formed in Seoul in 2013. The group includes leader RM and members Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. They have gained international fame for their music, performances, and social impact.
Mandy Moore

Amanda Leigh "Mandy" Moore is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She first gained prominence with her 1999 debut single "Candy," which peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100... read more
Britney Spears

Britney Jean Spears (born on December 2, 1981, in McComb, Mississippi) is an American former singer and actress. She was raised in Kentwood, Louisiana. As a child, she performed acting roles in stage productions and television shows, such as The Mickey Mouse Club, before signing with Jive Records in... read more
LeAnn Rimes

Margaret LeAnn Rimes Cibrian (born August 28, 1982) is an American country and pop singer. She rose to fame at age 13 with her debut single and album Blue (1996), earning two Grammy Awards. She has since crossed over into pop and contemporary Christian music and placed more than 40 singles on international... read more