Grease (song)

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"Grease"
Single by Frankie Valli
from the album Grease: The Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture
B-side "Grease (Instrumental)"
Released 6 May 1978
Format 7"
Recorded April 1978
Criteria Studios, Miami
Genre Disco, funk rock
Length 3:21
Label RSO
Writer(s) Barry Gibb
Producer(s) Barry Gibb, Albhy Galuten, Karl Richardson
Frankie Valli singles chronology

"Rainstorm"
(1977)
Grease
(1978)
"Save Me, Save Me"
(1978)

"Grease" is a song written by Barry Gibb and performed by Frankie Valli. "Grease" the title song for the musical motion picture Grease, which was based on the stage play of the same name. It was featured twice on the film's soundtrack, as the first track and reprised as the final track. The song is memorable for its guitar riff.

Background

Barry Gibb wrote a title song to order for the Robert Stigwood film of the stage musical Grease.[1] Since it is heard only in the animated opening credits, it did not need to be recorded before filming. The song was recorded shortly after filming for the 1978 musical film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, which was probably when Gibb invited Peter Frampton to the session. Frampton plays guitar on the recording, while Gibb himself provides backing vocals. The other musicians were some of those from the Andy Gibb album that was being made around the same time.[2]

Valli was a falsetto singer, but on this track he sings his natural voice. The film director Randal Kleiser did not like "Grease" and the new song "You’re The One That I Want" because they did not fit the 50's style musically or lyrically.[2] It became a #1 single in the United States in 1978 and also reached #40 on the R&B charts in the same year.[3]

The Bee Gees would later perform the song in their tour One Night Only in 1997 until 1999, and captured on their live offering One Night Only.

Personnel

other musicians uncredited

Sales and certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Canada (Music Canada)[4] Platinum 150,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[5] Gold 500,000^
United States (RIAA)[6] Platinum 2,000,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone


Cover versions

References

Preceded by
"Three Times a Lady" by Commodores
Billboard Hot 100 number-one single
26 August 1978 - 2 September 1978
Succeeded by
"Boogie Oogie Oogie" by A Taste of Honey
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