David Foster always had a superior knack for composing evocative instrumentals. He put a pin to “Our Romance,” a tender piece of music co-written with Tom Keane for Foster’s 1983 debut solo album The Best Of Me. Conceived for the Japanese market, The Best Of Me presented a series of great instrumentals that evolved into some of Foster’s most beloved pop hits including the title-track, “Mornin’,” “Through The Fire” and “Look What You’ve Done To Me.” Evidenced by its sheer beauty, “Our Romance” had an interesting artistic journey.

The song ended up on the successful soundtrack of the 1983 movie Two Of A Kind and was sung by the legendary Olivia Newton-John under the title of “Shaking You.” The platinum-certified Two Of A Kind soundtrack reached the Top 40 in the US , Canada , Australia and Japan. The soundtrack included more music sung by Newton-John and produced by Foster including the Top 5 hit “Twist Of Fate.”
“Shaking You” was a bittersweet love song that matches an achingly beautiful Foster melody with some tear-jerking lyrics courtesy of noted songwriter Paul Gordon. From the intimate, almost whispered intro to the powerful strength of the climax, “Shaking You” was a showcase for Newton-John’s pure and stunning pop voice. The legendary singer/actress sang the heart-wrenching lyrics beautifully and gave an emotionally charged performance accompanied by Foster’s gorgeous acoustic piano. The production was top-notch, as always, with an accurate eye to the lush orchestral sounds.

In 1985, “Shaking You” was covered by UK singer Elaine Paige on her Love Hurts album. Read our past article of this rendition here.

Listen

Lead vocal: Olivia Newton-John
Piano & Keyboards: David Foster
Drums: John Keane

Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

Why do I have to care for you?
When I should have known to stay away
Why was I there for you?

I don’t know how I lost my touch
I never believed that I could ever want
Somebody’s love so much

Time can shake me loose from the blues
But who would know I’d be this slow shaking you

I don’t know what I’m looking for
I just let the arrows go and hope I find what I am shooting for

So don’t say that you’ll be there for me
If you don’t care for me, I’ll be gone
‘Cause I don’t have the strength to be this strong
Who knew that I’d take so long shaking you

Now I’m waiting to hit the ground
I’m painting my love for you in corners I know how to get around

Time can shake me loose from the blues
But who would know I’d be this slow shaking you

I don’t know what I’m looking for
I just let the arrows go and hope I find what I am shooting for

Not only is David Foster one of the world’s most gifted music-makers, he is also a renowned humanitarian. Foster for almost thirty years, through his David Foster Foundation, has supported hundreds of families with children facing severe health issues. He has raised millions with his star-filled concerts and special events. Although Foster has worked for many years on his own contributions, he has given his musical magic to countless events organized by superstars friends like Andre Agassi and Muhammad Ali who also do phenomenal work for their own foundations.

An example of Foster donating his time and expertise is seen in the Olivia Newton-John song “Hope Is Always Here.” Foster co-wrote and produced the song for a special charity event that aired for the 2009 Thanksgiving Day celebration on Fox Television. Together with Newton-John who is a cancer survivor and very supportive of the cause, Foster came up with a wonderful anthem, a song full of hope and positivity. “Hope Is Always Here” also featured a choir of cancer survivor kids who belong to the Purple Songs Can Fly program. Foster’s lyrics were inspired by the children’s good works. The musical background of the song is pretty typical of Foster. He blended a gorgeous melody with his trademark keyboards to a powerful refrain not far from other famous Foster anthems like “Tears Are Not Enough” or “Love Lights The World.” Newton-John shines with her commanding vocal performance beautifully backed-up by the children’s choir.

“Hope Is Always Here” can still be downloaded on i-Tunes and will benefit this important cause. It’s a great song and proof that behind David Foster’s Grammys and platinum albums there’s a great human being with a very big heart.

Listen

Lead Vocals: Olivia Newton-John
Keyboards: David Foster

Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

In this world where music is
A healer for your soul
Sing with me and share a song
Of hope to make you whole
In this world where laughter is
A joy inside your heart
Look inside you’ll find it
No matter where you are
Learning to be thankful each and every day
No one knows the answer
That lies along the way

(Chorus)
A dream is just a dream till you live it
Peace is just a word till you feel it
Love is always there when you share it
You have strength
You have faith
You have hope
Hope is always here

In this world where courage lays
In each and every heart
We’re thankful for the blessings
Of all the things you are
In this world where wonders live
Everyone can dream
Miracles are everywhere
If we just believe

Repeat Chorus

Just spread your purple wings and fly
You will never know until you try

Repeat Chorus

Hope is always here
Hope is always here

Last week we mentioned “The Best Of Me” as one of David Foster’s trademark ballads and a very successful chapter of his golden songbook. Around 1982, Foster co-wrote the song with composer/arranger extraordinaire Jeremy Lubbock and the great pop/rocker Richard Marx. Marx was only nineteen years old then and worked as Foster’s studio assistant. Through the years, the charm of this sweet love song has attracted singers including Barry Manilow, Michael Buble, Kenny Rogers and Phil Perry. Yet the most successful rendition of the tune belongs to veteran UK superstar Cliff Richard who, in 1989, scored a #2 hit in his homeland with it.

In 1986, Foster recorded a duet version of “The Best Of Me” with his friend and international superstar Olivia Newton-John. This catchy pop duet was included in Foster’s self-titled release and was eventually the second single off the album. Considering that Foster isn’t known as a great singer, his vocal performance on this number is absolutely respectable and obviously enhanced by the presence of Newton-John whose voice blended beautifully with Foster’s. Their successful performances, the song’s memorable melody, the immaculate production by Foster and his old partner Humberto Gatica who graced the tune with a radio-friendly arrangement helped bringing “The Best Of Me” to #6 on the Adult Contemporary chart. This ballad was also a minor entry on Billboard’s Hot 100 at #80 and even scored a Top Forty position in Canada at #32.

The Hitman with his usual kindness has sent us a note about this recording:

“I was shocked that at the height of Olivia’s career she agreed to sing “The Best Of Me” with me. This is a song that was co written mostly by Richard Marx and Jeremy Lubbock, I was a distant third participant. We wrote it at my house in Toluca Lake. When I went to do Olivia’s vocal with Humberto Gatica she just had a baby and couldn’t come to the studio so we had to take a recording truck up to her house in Malibu and record the vocal in the living room. This was back in the eighties when portable studios were not very common. It was a huge truck full of gear just to get her vocal. Nowadays of course you can achieve the same result with just a laptop, a good mike and a set of earphones. The thing I remember the most about that recording was that it was pouring down rain and Olivia would sing some then stop to breast feed her baby and then sing a little more. She did an amazing job and her attitude was absolutely the best of any singer I’ve ever worked with. It was always magic and pure joy to work with her. We’re still great friends today, in fact we’ll be performing together for a charity in Toronto on July 8^th.”

Listen

Lead Vocals: David Foster & Olivia Newton-John
Keyboards: David Foster
Guitar: Michael Landau
Drum Programming: Tris Imboden

Arranged by David Foster
Produced by David Foster & Humberto Gatica

Lyrics

So many years gone, still I remember
How did I ever let my heart believe
In one who never gave enough to me
And so many years gone, a love that was so wrong
And I can’t forget the way it used to be
And how you change the taste of love for me

You were my one more chance I never thought I’d find
You were the one romance I’ve always known in my mind
No one will ever touch me more
I only hope that in return
I might’ve saved the best of me for you

And we’ll have no ending, no no
If we can hold on
And I think I’ve come this far because of you
Could be no other love but ours will do

You were my one more chance I never thought I’d find
You were the one romance I’ve always known in my mind
No one will ever touch me more
I only hope that in return
I might’ve saved the best of me for you

No one will ever touch me more
I only hope that in return
No matter how much we have to learn
I’ve saved the best of me for you

written by Barry Alfonso & Tom Snow

The film, “Two Of A Kind,” released in 1983, was Olivia Newton John’s first reunion with her “Grease” co-star, John Travolta. The film eventually became a commercial disappointment but the Australian superstar sure found some  relief by the platinum performance of the “Two Of A Kind” soundtrack album.

That recording included four Newton-John songs and three of them became hits on the charts. David Foster was the main man behind that soundtrack co-writing and/or producing large part of the material included. “Twist Of Fate,” a catchy, up-tempo was the debut single reaching the top 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 with its synth-pop sounds.“Take A Chance,” a gorgeous duet ballad with Travolta, was co-written by the singer with Foster and Steve Lukather and became a top three adult contemporary single. The last track to chart was “(Livin’ In) Desperate Times” co-written by Barry Alfonso with legendary songwriter, Tom Snow. Another Foster production, “(Livin’ In) Desperate Times” follows the musical footsteps of “Twist Of Fate” with Newton-John’s fantastic vocals, its tight, up-tempo rhythms based on programmed drums, various synthesizers, guitars and an absolutely irresistible refrain. “(Livin’ In) Desperate Times,” with its radio-friendly atmosphere is a valid example of Foster’s seminal productions of those years. The song eventually reached Billboard’s top 40 at #31.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/livin_in_desperate_times.mp3|titles=(Livin’ In) Desperate Times|artists=Olivia Newton-John]

Lead Vocals: Olivia Newton-John
Keyboards & Synthesizers: David Foster

Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

Never thought it would be so rough
And I wonder if I have enough
To keep from breaking down
No Mercy in this town

Every day is just another test
Seems I’m always second best
But you learn along the way
That’s the price you have to pay

I try to stay defiant, be tough and self reliant
Though I get tired to the bone
Love is just a wish you keep inside
How’s it gonna help me to survive
Looks like I’m in this fight alone

CHORUS
And I’m living in desperate times
Being alive’s my only crime
Don’t care what I have to do
I’ll find some way to make it through
Oh, and I’m living in desperate times
And it’s too late to change my mind
Till these desperate times are done
Gonna run, watch me run

Innocents get taken in
By the promise of an easy win
They start off so naive
So eager to believe

But the glitter of the city lights
Only covers up a lonely night
Of strangers slamming doors
You’re hungry and ignored

I’ve faced the competition
I’ve made the hard decisions
Will it be worth it in the end?
Taking any chance that comes along
Getting hard to tell what’s right or wrong
I only wish I had a friend

And I’m livin’ in desperate times
Being alive’s my only crime
Don’t care what I have to do
I’ll find some way to make it through
Oh, and I’m livin’ in desperate times
And it’s too late to change my mind
Till these desperate times are done, gonna run
Watch me run

And I’m livin’ in desperate times
Being alive’s my only crime
Don’t care what I have to do
I’ll find some way to make it through
Oh, and I’m livin’ in desperate times
And it’s too late to change my mind
Till these desperate times are done, gonna run
Watch me run

And I’m livin’ in desperate times
Being alive’s my only crime
Don’t care what I have to do
I’ll find some way to make it through
Oh, and I’m livin’ in desperate times
And it’s too late to change my mind
Till these desperate times are done, gonna run
Watch me run

written by  by Olivia Newton-John & Amy Sky
Spanish lyrics by Jon Secada

To keep going with the holiday spirit, we have selected an album by Olivia Newton-John entitled “Christmas Wish.” Released in 2007, “Christmas Wish” was a collaboration between Newton-John and Canadian singer/songwriter/producer Amy Sky.

These two talented ladies assembled a line-up made of traditional Christmas classics and very well done original tunes that they co-wrote especially for this project. The resulting album is quite appealing  and a perfect back-up for any Christmas celebration. The mood of the entire “Christmas Wish” cd is pretty much low-key with soft arrangements, rich orchestral work and smooth instrumental performances to support Newton-John’s familiar voice.

The album includes several duets with important names like Michael McDonald, Barry Manilow, Jann Arden and Marc Jordan who also happens to be Sky’s husband. One of these duets, “Everytime It Snows” sung with Pop/Latin star Jon Secada, has the participation of Newton-John’s old friend David Foster. Foster beautifully arranged the sweet, orchestral tune and also played piano and keyboards.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/every_time_it_snows.mp3|titles=Every time it snows|artists=Olivia Newton John & Jon Secada]

Lead Vocals: Olivia Newton John & Jon Secada
Piano & Keyboards: David Foster

Strings Arrangement by David Foster & Phil Manos
Produced by Amy Sky

Lyrics

Spiraling and trembling
The snowflakes tumble down
Fluttering like angel wings
Like diamonds on the ground
Autumn leaves are gone now
Winter winds blow cold
But I’d dance through December
With your hand to hold
Oh It’s you I miss the most
Every time it snows
Carollers and revellers
Their songs are bittersweet
The streets are full but they can’t fill
The emptiness in me
Christmas lights are sparkling
But still they lack a glow
Everything reminds me

That you’re too far from home
Oh It’s you I miss the most
Every time it snows
Please come back regresso mi corazon
Please come back
Te extrano tanto mi amor
Back to me my love te neccessito te quiero
I need you here regresso mi regresso mi
I cry frozen tears
Spiraling and trembling
The snowflakes tumble down
Fluttering like angel wings
They fall without a sound