| Have You Never Been Mellow | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Olivia Newton-John |
| Cover: | Neverbeenmellow.jpg |
| Released: | 12 February 1975 |
| Recorded: | 1974 |
| Studio: | Abbey Road Studios, London |
| Length: | 39:29 |
| Label: | MCA |
| Producer: | John Farrar |
| Prev Title: | First Impressions |
| Prev Year: | 1974 |
| Next Title: | Clearly Love |
| Next Year: | 1975 |
Have You Never Been Mellow is the fifth studio album by British-Australian singer Olivia Newton-John, released on 12 February 1975 by MCA Records.
Both the title single and the album rose to the top of their respective US charts (the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and the Billboard 200 albums chart). The title song and its follow-up, "Please Mr. Please", were both top 10 on three Billboard charts: the Hot 100, Adult Contemporary, and Country.The title song was Newton-John's first charting single in Japan, where it reached number 26 on the Oricon singles chart.
Newton-John received a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her work on the song "Have You Never Been Mellow", but lost to "At Seventeen" by Janis Ian. The album was also named Favorite Pop/Rock Album at the American Music Awards of 1976, beating The Eagles and Elton John.
The album was certified Gold in the US.[1] The LP sold 169,380 in Japan.[2]
Rolling Stone noted that "with the huge success of Have You Never Been Mellow, Olivia Newton-John joins Helen Reddy and Karen Carpenter as one of the decade's three white female MOR superstars...Newton-John's records combine standard MOR production with instrumentation borrowed from country music, and Newton-John, who is British born, affects a country-girl personality convincingly enough to sell to the country as well as the pop market. Her voice is very pretty, especially in the upper register... She looks and sounds like a breathlessly innocent real-life doll. The smash title cut of her new album is its most ingenuous. Three other songs — "It's So Easy," "Please Mr. Please" and Rick Nelson's "Lifestream"—are possible follow-ups."[3]
Billboard praised the album, noting that "last year's new superstar shows no signs of slowing down this mix of country, soft rock and easy listening cuts designed to appeal to the fans she has garnered in all three areas. Miss Newton-John has developed into an excellent singer, she does not go out of her range and stands as a remarkable example of musical versatility. Backed by fine production and arrangements throughout, the set is basically an extension and progression of her last effort...Few flaws here and an almost certain bet to strap her firmly in the superstar category for good." [4]
Cashbox stated that "Olivia Newton-John's latest LP is another much expected treat. The Grammy winner is at her best here singing a collection of songs that display the charm, poise and total command she exercises everytime she sings."[5]
AllMusic called the title track "a masterpiece of songwriting by her producer, John Farrar, an exquisitely pleasant melody with a sunny and peaceful theme." In their review of the entire album, critic Joe Viglionenoted that "from beginning to end Have You Never Been Mellow is Olivia Newton-John showing why she could hold her own on the charts with as powerful a star as Elton John. Recorded at EMI Studios, London, it has impeccable sound and a special vibe."[6]
| Chart (1975) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[7] | 13 | |
| Japanese Albums (Oricon) | 4 | |
| US Cash Box Top Albums[8] | 1 | |
| US Cash Box Country Albums[9] | 1 |
| Chart (1975) | Position |
|---|---|
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[10] | 18 |
| US Billboard 200[11] | 13 |
| US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[12] | 4 |
