About the song
When news broke that Olivia Newton-John had passed away in August 2022, the world stopped to grieve a voice that had defined generations. From “Hopelessly Devoted to You” to “Physical”, her songs carried warmth, sincerity, and hope. But beyond the stage lights and platinum records, it was her heart — her courage in the face of pain — that left the deepest mark. Among the millions mourning her loss, three musical legends — Mariah Carey, Elton John, and Dolly Parton — shared tributes that captured who Olivia truly was: a woman of grace, humor, and unshakable kindness.
For Mariah Carey, Olivia was both an idol and a friend. “I grew up listening to her voice,” Mariah said tearfully. “She was everything — elegant, kind, and full of love. I remember meeting her for the first time, and she was exactly who I hoped she’d be — gentle and genuine.” Mariah had performed “Hopelessly Devoted to You” as a young girl, calling it one of the first songs that made her believe in emotional storytelling. “Her voice had this purity that could break your heart,” she added. “There will never be another like her.”
Elton John, who shared the stage with Olivia during the height of their careers, remembered her as “the ultimate professional — and the ultimate friend.” “She had the voice of an angel and the soul of a warrior,” he said in an emotional statement. “Even when she was battling cancer, she never complained. She smiled through everything.” Elton described her presence as “sunlight in human form,” recalling how she would often comfort others even when she was the one in pain. “We’ve lost one of the world’s great voices — but also one of its great hearts.”
For Dolly Parton, the loss was deeply personal. Olivia and Dolly had collaborated on “Jolene”, one of Olivia’s final recordings — a duet that now feels like a goodbye letter. “She was a dear friend and one of the kindest people I’ve ever known,” Dolly said. “Singing ‘Jolene’ together was such a special moment. She brought so much grace and joy into my life.” Dolly, her voice breaking, added, “If angels sing, they sound like Olivia.”
Their tributes echoed the same truth — that Olivia Newton-John’s magic wasn’t just in her songs, but in her humanity. She faced cancer three times over three decades, and yet she remained a symbol of hope for millions, founding the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre to help others fight the same battle. “Even when she was weak, she gave strength,” Elton John said. “That’s what made her extraordinary.”
As the music world continues to mourn, fans revisit her timeless performances — her laughter in Grease, her glow in Xanadu, her fearless joy in Physical. Every note feels like a reminder that her light still lingers.
In the end, perhaps Dolly said it best: “We’ll miss her voice, but the melody she left behind — that love, that goodness — will never fade.”
