Olivia Newton-John’s voice and legacy lives on, not just in our hearts and memories and her already impressive discography, but also in an unreleased song that surfaced this week.
Olivia Newton-John & Dolly Parton ‘Jolene’ Duet Posthumously Released
The new song, My Dream, isn’t that new, as it was born out of a writing session 15 years ago but was never completed. The song was co-written by Newton-John, her longtime collaborator Jim Brickman, and Victoria Shaw.
My Dream arrives more than two years after Newton-John’s tragic passing and just days before what would’ve been her 76th birthday. It’s a duet between Newton-John and Il Volo, and all proceeds from the release will go to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund for cancer research and support, which is run by her widower, John Easterling.
Brickman said of releasing the song now (per Good Morning America), “I decided to finish the song to honour my dear friend, her beautiful spirit, and her foundation.”
After Newton-John passed away, Brickman was looking over old cassette tapes when he stumbled upon the unfinished My Dream.
Stating that the version we hear now is from “that original session” recorded at Newton-John’s house in Malibu, Brickman told People Magazine, “It started as a romantic duet, but has now become more significant as a theme that resonated with Olivia about her Dream and hope for a cure for cancer.”
Easterling said about the release of My Dream and its proceeds going to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, “How generous of Jim Brickman and their whole team for donating all the proceeds from this inspiring song. I mean, it wasn’t an accident that he found this song that they had done and never really put out.”
You can listen to My Dream below.
Olivia Newton-John passed away in August 2022 from cancer.
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, Newton-John dedicated much of her time to supporting efforts and raising funds to find a cure for cancer. Newton-John’s work in that space includes the establishment of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Melbourne and the Olivia Newton-John Foundation.
