Edwina Bartholomew: Why I want my kids to grow up listening to Olivia Newton-John

Edwina Bartholomew has revealed why she’s created a playlist for our kids with ONJ and The Seekers — and why they’ll listen to them instead of The Wiggles.

I once owned a pair of leather pants, ONJ pants I called them.

I can’t say I ever wore them to a fairground to impress a bloke called Danny or that they were, in fact, leather (the thigh sweat indicated a very high degree of polyester) but when I put them on, I felt just like Sandy.

How good is that scene in Grease? You’re the One That I Want performed by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John at their sexiest 1978 peak. Apparently the iconic original pants from the ‘50s were so tight, Olivia had to be sewn in during filming.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer for a third time at 71, she auctioned them off to raise money for her cancer wellness centre. What a fitting final chapter for a piece of timeless movie memorabilia and a lovely testament to her character.

That scene and that song will be playing in households around the world this weekend as older generations remember Olivia Newton-John’s wonderful life and another, younger generation is introduced to one of the greatest films of all time.

Olivia Newton John in those tight pants with John Travolta in a scene from Grease. Picture: CBS via Getty Images

Who didn’t have a sleepover set to Grease as a kid or take part in a school production of the musical?

We lost another songstress this week, the inimitable Judith Durham of The Seekers fame. Maybe your parents played Georgy Girl on their record player when you were young or perhaps you are a child of the ‘60s, now playing it for your grandkids. It’s amazing how music can take you instantly back to your own childhood.

The Seekers Golden Jubilee Tour of the UK. From left: Keith Potger, Bruce Woodley, Judith Durham, and Athol Guy.

In a desperate attempt to avoid Wheels on the Bus on repeat at our house, we set up a playlist early on to introduce/indoctrinate our kids to our taste in music and not that of The Wiggles. It features an eclectic mix of Harry Belafonte, Janelle Monae, the Troggs and Young MC. We blast the music before bath time to shake off the day and expend any extra energy.

This week I added Greased Lightnin’ and Physical to the mix and some Seekers for good measure.

I hope one day when my kids are all grown up they hear these songs and the music transports them back to their own childhoods.

What a gift that is and what a wonderful legacy left behind by two legends of music gone too soon.

Originally published as Edwina Bartholomew: Why I want my kids to grow up listening to Olivia Newton-John