About the song
“Hopelessly Devoted to You” is a poignant ballad recorded by British-Australian singer, songwriter, and actress Olivia Newton-John for the soundtrack of the iconic film “Grease” (1978). Written and produced by John Farrar, the song stands out as a heartfelt expression of unrequited love and longing, performed by Newton-John in her role as Sandy Olsson. The track was released in Australia in August 1978, where it quickly climbed the charts, peaking at number two. It also achieved notable success in the United States, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and number seven on the Adult Contemporary chart. Additionally, it became her first top 20 country hit in two years, peaking at number 20 on the country chart.
Newton-John’s performance of “Hopelessly Devoted to You” at the 21st Grammy Awards in 1979 further cemented its place in music history. The song’s lyrical content revolves around Sandy’s unwavering affection for Danny Zuko, portrayed by John Travolta, despite his indifference and preference for his greaser friends. This emotional depth resonated with audiences, making the song a timeless anthem of love and devotion.
The song’s excellence was recognized with an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song at the 51st Academy Awards. Although it lost to “Last Dance” from “Thank God It’s Friday,” the nomination highlighted its significance in the film and music industries. Record World aptly described the song as “a ’50s-inspired love ballad with the production sound of the ’70s,” capturing its unique blend of nostalgic and contemporary elements.
Over the years, “Hopelessly Devoted to You” has seen various covers and adaptations. In 2001, Swedish girl group Play included a rendition of the song on their debut album. In 2012, Darren Criss performed a cover for the “Glee” episode titled “The Role You Were Born to Play.” The song, which was not part of the original stage musical, was later added to the score for the 2007 revival and featured in the 2016 live television adaptation “Grease: Live,” sung by Julianne Hough.
Reflecting on the creation of the song, John Farrar revealed in June 2004 that writing the lyrics was an arduous process, requiring extensive use of thesauruses and rhyming dictionaries to perfect the heartfelt expression of Sandy’s emotions. This meticulous effort resulted in a song that continues to resonate with audiences, capturing the essence of devoted, albeit unreciprocated, love. “Hopelessly Devoted to You” remains a beloved classic, celebrated for its emotional depth and timeless appeal.
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Lyrics
Guess mine is not the first heart broken
My eyes are not the first to cry
I’m not the first to know
There’s just no getting over you
I know I’m just a fool who’s willing
To sit around and wait for you
But baby, can’t you see there’s nothing else for me to do?
I’m hopelessly devoted to you
But now there’s nowhere to hide
Since you pushed my love aside
I’m out of my head
Hopelessly devoted to you
Hopelessly devoted to you
Hopelessly devoted to you
My head is sayin’, “Fool, forget him”
My heart is sayin’, “Don’t let go
Hold on to the end”, that’s what I intend to do
I’m hopelessly devoted to you
But now there’s no way to hide
Since you pushed my love aside
I’m outta my head
Hopelessly devoted to you
Hopelessly devoted to you
Hopelessly devoted to you