A week before Olivia Newton-John is given a state funeral, the last song she ever recorded has been made publicly available online. At 73, Newton-John passed away in August of last year at her ranch in southern California.
Keep reading to find out more.
The song is a cover of Dolly Parton's country hit Jolene, which she and Olivia performed together during a private studio recording session before Olivia passed away.
In a music video posted to YouTube on Saturday, the duo can be seen beaming with excitement as they begin to record their vocals together.
In the video, Newton-John says:
"I am excited; I have always wanted to sing with Dolly."
Olivia added;
"We've always stayed close through the years and I'm so proud to be a part of this duet project."
Since Olivia Newton-John, the "Grease" actress, became the first non-American-born artist to win the Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year award in 1974 for her song "If You Love Me (Let Me Know)," the two have maintained a friendship.
Newton-John and Parton have remained friends ever since. Prior to her passing, Newton-John reportedly said Parton was "always there for me," according to a press release distributed this week ahead of the release of the duet.
Olivia continued;
"What she did for me early on in my career in Nashville is something I will never forget," she added.
In the same press release, Parton discussed her personal Newton-John memories.
"I loved every moment that I ever got to spend with her," Parton said. "I've always been inspired by her grit, tenderness, willingness and determination."
"I cannot wait to hear that album and Olivia may you rest in peace," she said. "You left a spot that [no] one else will ever fill."
The singer of "9 to 5" recalled that their recording of "Jolene" was her final interaction with Newton-John.
Her duet with Dolly Parton will be included in "Just the Two of Us: The Duets Collection," which also includes duets with Mariah Carey, Michael McDonald, John Travolta, Barry Gibb, Vanessa Amorosi, Jon Secada, her daughter Chloe Lattanzi, and others.
On May 5th, 2023, the album will be released.
Newton-John, who was 73 years old, passed away from breast cancer in August 2022.
The actress and singer received a diagnosis in the 1990s, and after more than 20 years in remission, the illness recurred in 2013. In 2018, she disclosed that the illness had spread to her spine and returned.
On Sunday, February 26, Melbourne's Hamer Hall Arts Centre will host a state memorial service in Newton's honor.
She and her family moved to Australia from England when she was five years old, and she spent most of her formative years in Melbourne.
When she co-starred with John Travolta in the 1978 musical film Grease, the adored actor and singer shot to international fame.
She became one of the most successful musicians of all time and was nominated for 12 Grammy Awards, winning four.
The information was made public after John Easterling, the late singer's husband, and Chloe Lattanzi, her daughter, spoke candidly about their last moments with her.
The heartbreaking final words of her mother were revealed by Lattanzi, 37, in an interview with Today.
"The last words she could say to me was... 'my sunshine,'" she said.
Olivia laughed with her daughter until she was unable to speak anymore, and towards the end, they shared some precious moments.
"She's my mama. She's not Olivia Newton-John to me, but I'm so glad that she was Olivia Newton-John for so many people," she added.
While Olivia and John were married in 2008, John claimed that "late at night, early in the morning" was when he felt Olivia's presence the most.
Six months after his late wife's passing, he speaks aloud to her on their ranch in California.
"I'll just be walking around the house, or throwing the ball for the dogs and just speak to her out loud," he said.
John told the Today that he was fortunate to have found his soul mate and that it was his duty to live their lives together now.
