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Olivia Newton-John recorded duet with Dolly Parton of country hit Jolene

A heart wrenching music video of the last song Olivia Newton-John ever recorded has been released online – with a surprising duet partner.

Olivia Newton-John performing Jolene with Dolly Parton

The last ever song recorded by Olivia Newton-John has been released posthumously online, a week before she is honoured with a state funeral.

Newton-John died at her ranch in southern California in August last year aged 73.

The song is a duet of Dolly Parton’s country hit Jolene, which she sang alongside Parton in an intimate studio recording session some time before her passing.

A music video released on YouTube on Saturday shows the pair clearly thrilled to be recording their vocals together.

“I am excited, I have always wanted to sing with Dolly,” Newton-John says in the video.

Olivia Newton-John has posthumously released her final recording, a duet with Dolly Parton of the US singer’s iconic hit ‘Jolene’. Picture: YouTube
Olivia Newton-John has posthumously released her final recording, a duet with Dolly Parton of the US singer’s iconic hit ‘Jolene’. Picture: YouTube

She famously covered the song in 1976, three years after the song was originally released by Parton.

“I am so excited to be working with Olivia Newton-John, one of my favourites of all time,” Parton said in the video.

“We’ve always stayed close through the years and I’m so proud to be a part of this duet project.”

Newton-John died in August. Picture: YouTube
Newton-John died in August. Picture: YouTube

A state memorial service is being held to honour the life of Newton-John at Hamer Hall Arts Centre in Melbourne on Sunday 26 February.

She emigrated from England with her family when she was five years old and spent most of her childhood in Melbourne.

The beloved actor and singer skyrocketed to international fame when she appeared alongside John Travolta in the 1978 musical film Grease.

She established herself as one of the best-selling music artists of all time and was nominated for 12 Grammy Awards including four wins.

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/olivia-newtonjohn-recorded-duet-with-dolly-parton-of-country-hit-jolene/news-story/b5d2da2b7dd89efe459ed21964689775