"The Rumour" is a song recorded by Australian singer and actress Olivia Newton-John for her thirteenth studio album of the same name (1988). It was released as the album's lead single in April 1988 through Mercury Records. The song was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and it features backing vocals and piano by John.
| "The Rumour" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Olivia Newton-John | ||||
| from the album The Rumour | ||||
| B-side | "Winter Angel" | |||
| Released | April 1988 | |||
| Recorded | 1987 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:55 | |||
| Label | Mercury | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| Olivia Newton-John singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Critical reception
editBillboard commented that the single was "benefiting from aggressive pop production and songwriting aid from label mate John, the distinctive songstress is set for a comeback."[1] A reviewer from Cash Box said that "The Rumour" is "the snappiest tune that Olivia's done in a long stretch and she rises to the occasion delivering a heartfelt performance."[2] Jonh Wilde from Melody Maker wrote, "Okay, I'm not trying to suggest that she's The Monkees or anything, but when she gets rocking like this, it's 23 skidoo and away before you know it. Stars like this are not going cheap. We have to give in. It's our duty. I'm entirely serious about all this. Boom, boom, boom. That's me humming the second verse."[3]
Personnel
edit- Olivia Newton-John – lead vocals, backing vocals
- Elton John – digital piano, lead and backing vocals
- James Newton Howard – additional keyboards, additional synthesizer, drum programming
- Davey Johnstone – guitar
- Neil Stubenhaus – bass
- Carlos Vega – drum overdubs
- Lenny Castro – percussion
- Kim Hutchcroft – baritone saxophone
- Gary Herbig – tenor saxophone
- Dan Higgins – tenor saxophone
- Lew McCreary – trombone
- Bill Reichenbach Jr. – trombone
- Gary Grant – trumpet
- Jerry Hey – trumpet
- Bruce Roberts – backing vocals
Charts
edit| Chart (1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[4] | 35 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[5] | 50 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[6] | 85 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[7] | 62 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[8] | 33 |
| US Cash Box Top 100[9] | 79 |
| West Germany (GfK)[10] | 36 |
| US Hot Dance Club Songs[11] | 17 |
| European Airplay (European Hit Radio)[12] | 40 |
| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[13] | 92 |
References
edit- ^ "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard Music Week. No. 6 August 1989. p. 71. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. 13 August 1988. p. 12. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
- ^ Wilde, Jonh (17 September 1988). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 35. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ "Olivia Newton-John – The Rumour". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8734." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ "Olivia Newton-John Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
- ^ "Olivia Newton-John | Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
- ^ "Cash Box" (PDF). Worldradiohistory.com. 10 September 1988. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Olivia Newton-John – The Rumour" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ "Olivia Newton-John | Biography, Music & News". Billboard.
- ^ "European Airplay Top 50" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 39. 24 September 1988. p. 25. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ "European Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 41. 8 October 1988. p. 26. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
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