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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

This was featured in the movie of the same name starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Valli was not in the movie, but another Frankie was: Frankie Avalon played the Teen Angel and sang "Beauty School Dropout."

This song was written and produced by Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees specifically for the movie. His music helped make Saturday Night Fever a huge hit 2 years earlier. He asked Valli to record it.

Gibb produced this with Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson, who worked on the music to the movie Saturday Night Fever. (thanks, Brad Wind - Miami, FL)

This was not used in the stage production of Grease.

The movie had the highest box office gross receipts for any musical.

This was Valli's second US #1 hit as a solo artist. Three years earlier, he hit #1 with "My Eyes Adored You." Previously, he had massive success as a member of The Four Seasons. (thanks, Brad Wind - Miami, FL, for above 2)

Peter Frampton played lead guitar.

With its Disco beat, this song is way out place for the '50s, which is when Grease takes place. Audiences didn't seem to mind: According to Rolling Stone, this song sold over 7 million copies worldwide, making it one of the biggest hits from the soundtrack. (thanks, James - Beverly Hills, CA)

Comments:

My hat is off to Barry Gibb who had 11 songs written by him crack the top 10 in 1978 with 8 of them reaching #1!!!!
- Paul, Oceanside, NY

I love the song,along with the movie Grease! I love the opening sequense,Don't be a slob,get a job,go to class,you can pass,now here's an old favorite of mine,then Grease by Frankie valli plays.
- Jennifer Harris, Grand Blanc, MI

I prefer the songs in Grease to any other film!
- Mallory, Upper Marlboro, MD

I think my favorite part of the Grease movie is the intro with this song and the animated sequence of everyone getting ready for school. Wonder why no one ever thought to make the Grease cartoons?
- Linc, Beaumont, TX

Also little known fact - Jeff Conaway who plays Kenickie in the movie - played Danny Zuko when it was on Broadway. When he was offered a role in the movie adaptation that's the roll he thought was being offered to him.
- Linc, Beaumont, TX

I was always surprised at the sophisticated lyrics of this song, especially when most of the rest of the soundtrack sounds (and reads) like forgettable bubble gum. I saw the movie a few times when I was a teeny-bopper, first in the theater and then on video -- today I can't even get through it, I find so much about it so insipid. The live show was a bit better (I was a stagehand for a college production), with some intelligent subtext about the fantasy-versus-reality of the era, but the movie pretty much abandoned all of it.
- S.D., Denver, CO

I love this opening song, backed by the cartoon titles. I saw this in NY back in 1978. I loved it then and still love it now.
- Jamie, Portland, OR

Frankie had more than a small part in The Sopranos. His character was named Rusty Millio and appeared in seven episodes before being shot in his own driveway by hired Italian hitmen.
- Jeff, Austin, TX

c-o-n-v-e-n-t-i-o-n-a-l-i-t-y..belongs to yesterday....
- Susan, Westchestertonfieldville, VA

Awesome song, I can never tire of hearing it.
- Maria, Melbourne, Australia

I wish I could have seen this at a movie theatre. I missed it by five years - born in teh wrong era :D
- Martin, Amity, NY, NY

I remember seeing Frankie sing this tune on the Midnight Special in the early 80's. He did it as a duet with Lionel Richie and the Commodores. Oh the memories. I really miss those shows when music was still fun!!!
- Wendy, Liverpool, United Kingdom

I love doing this song at karioke. It's got a groove, lol.
- Jane, California, CA

This song appears twice on the Grease songtrack, as Grease and Grease(reprise). The "is the word is the word is the word" works well to start the show and end the album.
- Dale, Santa Fe, NM

the album Grease the soundtrack went No 2 Oct 1978 in Top Album catagory. Source Billboard top albums of 10 years ago list Oct 8, 1988
- Donna, College Station, TX

Barry was nominated for an Ivor Novello award in 1978 for this song.
- Sarah, USA, IA

All the songs in Grease are FAB!!
- Elia, Oswestry, Wales

The Sweet Inspirations (Elvis's backing group) sang backing vocals on Grease.
- Paul, UK, England

Grease is the word.
- Joseph, Bowling Green, KY

Frankie has a small part on the Soprano's, blink your eyes and you'll miss it!
- PHIL, San Jose, CA