Long Live Love

Album: Long Live Love (1974)
Charted: 11
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Long Live Love" was Olivia Newton-John's entry for the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, representing Britain. It was also her least-favorite song. She had to sing it after performing six songs on TV, and the British audience had to vote for the one they wanted to be sung at the actual contest. She also had to wear a long flowing baby-blue dress, which made this very campy. Olivia didn't win the contest, especially since ABBA performed "Waterloo" that night.
  • The Eurovision Song Contest is a contest that takes place every year. It is aired live on TV everywhere around Europe. There's one song per country, and the viewers vote at the end. The country that wins organizes the contest the following year.
  • Olivia Newton-John also recorded a German version of this song, which was meant to be a single but never saw the light of day until a CD release in the early '90s. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Michael - Nancy, France, for all above
  • "Long Live Love" was written by Valerie Murtagh, a member of the Avons.
  • Talking about her distaste for this song, Olivia Newton-John said: "That was really hard for me because I wanted another song to win, cause you know, when you do Eurovision, you sing six or eight songs. Once a week you sing on TV, and it was on Cliff's (Cliff Richard) show, and people would write in and vote for the one they wanted. So the people voted this one. And I knew it would be it. I wanted this other song called 'Angel Eyes' to win, that I loved, it was such a beautiful song, anyway, it didn't win. So then I had to go sing it for the country, not liking it, which wasn't easy." (courtesy: debbiekruger.com)
  • Olivia Newton-John didn't stay for the Eurovision after party - she was already in the taxi on her way to the airport. The singer had to fly to America to audition for a film called Grease.

Comments: 1

  • Simon Poole from Sydney AustraliaOlivia told a wee fib there: although she had been a regular on Cliff’s BBC1 Saturday night ‘I’d Cliff Richard’ TV show a few years earlier , she actually performed her 6 Eurovision ‘Songs for Europe’ on now-disgraced Jimmy Saville’s ‘Clunk Click’ BBC1 Saturday night TV show..
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.