“I Honestly Love You” is the first Track off of Juliana Hatfield’s fantastic Cover Album of Olivia Newton-John Songs. I’ve had the Album for a little over a week, and can “Honestly” say I Love It. Juliana Hatfield Sings Olivia Newton-John officially came out this past Friday, so “Honestly” go now go and get yourself a copy. You can grab it at American Laundromat Records. They have some keen packages, too. They even have it available on Cassette!
“I Honestly Love You” was one of my Top 5 Favorites of Olivia’s when I was a young girl. Juliana’s version has both edge and vulnerability. The guitar works so well, giving it that edge I mentioned. But, her voice, and the layered harmonic vocals make this Song raw, genuine, vulnerable, and beautiful. It makes me love this Song even more than I did when I was a kid.
“I Honestly Love You” by Juliana Hatfield
from the Album, Juliana Hatfield Sings Olivia Newton-John (2018)
“You don’t have to answer,
I see it in your eyes.
Maybe it was better left unsaid.”
To celebrate this Cover Album that I have been so excited about, I’m going to feature a Song a Day for this Week’s Song of the Day feature. I hope you all enjoy it as I know I will. My childhood Music Favorite, ONJ, covered by my 90’s Music Favorite, JH, is a dream come true.
“I Honestly Love You”, originally released as “I Love You, I Honestly Love You” (in Australia), was a worldwide Pop Hit for Olivia Newton-John, in 1974. It was Olivia’s first #1 Single in both the U.S. and Canada. (from Wikipedia)
The Song was written by Jeff Berry, who also penned the Hit Songs “Be My Baby” and “Sugar Sugar”, along with Peter Allen who was in the middle of working on his Album, Continental American. Berry and Allen co-wrote the Song for Allen’s Album, but the Demo got into the hands of Olivia’s Producer John Farrar, who played it for her.
She loved the Song, but Allen wanted to keep it. Barry convinced him that letting Olivia Record it was a good idea since she was one of the most popular Singers in the world and more likely to have a Hit with it. He finally agreed, which was lucrative, as the Song was a big Hit and helped launch Allen’s career as a songwriter. (from Songfacts)
