“Magic” by Olivia Newton-John is a dreamy, uplifting pop track released in May 1980 as part of the soundtrack to the film Xanadu. It became one of her biggest solo hits and stands out as a shimmering example of early ’80s soft pop, with a little bit of disco sparkle and a sense of wide-eyed wonder.
The song opens with a gentle synth melody and slowly builds into a lush, airy chorus. Olivia’s vocals are light, smooth, and filled with warmth, perfectly matching the song’s themes of hope, belief, and transformation. The lyrics are all about trusting in your dreams and believing in yourself—even when things seem uncertain: “You have to believe we are magic / Nothing can stand in our way.”
Musically, it blends soft rock with a slightly electronic edge, which was starting to become more prominent in pop production at the time. It’s both relaxing and quietly powerful, a kind of modern fairy tale in musical form.
“Magic” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying there for four weeks, and became one of Olivia’s most enduring tracks. It also topped Canada Top Singles chrt, and Adult Contemporary charts both in Canada and the U.S. Despite Xanadu being a critical flop, the soundtrack was a success—largely thanks to this song.
It remains a beloved feel-good anthem, full of gentle optimism and that ethereal Olivia Newton-John charm. Whether you see it as nostalgic or timeless, “Magic” is exactly what the title promises: a little pop spell you can drift into.