Studio Album · No. 1
If Not for You Songwriting Credits by Olivia Newton-John
Produced by John Farrar, Bruce Welch · Engineered by Peter Vince
Holds writing credit on 0 of 12 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 0 / 12 documented
Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Olivia Newton-John carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Newton-John wrote none of the material on her debut; the record is a set of covers chosen from the singer-songwriters of the day. The words and music come from outside names like Bob Dylan ('If Not for You'), Kris Kristofferson ('Me and Bobby McGee,' 'Help Me Make It Through the Night'), Gordon Lightfoot ('If You Could Read My Mind'), David Gates ('If'), and Lesley Duncan ('Love Song,' 'Lullaby'). Her contribution is interpretation and voice, with producers John Farrar and Bruce Welch shaping the arrangements, including their own arrangement of the traditional 'Banks of the Ohio.'
If Not for You is the debut studio album by Olivia Newton-John, released on 1 November 1971. The record is built almost entirely from covers of late-1960s and early-1970s songs, produced by John Farrar and Bruce Welch, both tied to Cliff Richard's backing group The Shadows. It marked the start of Newton-John's long working partnership with Farrar, who went on to write and produce much of her later career. The title track, a cover of Bob Dylan's 'If Not for You,' reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 7 on the UK Singles Chart, while 'Banks of the Ohio' became a top-ten UK hit and topped the chart in Australia. The album leans country-pop, drawing its songs from Kris Kristofferson, Gordon Lightfoot, David Gates, Lesley Duncan, and other writers of the day rather than any original material.
Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Me and Bobby McGee
|
Kris KristoffersonFred Foster | Kris KristoffersonFred Foster | John FarrarBruce Welch | Olivia Newton-John (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
If
|
David Gates | David Gates | John FarrarBruce Welch | Olivia Newton-John (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
Banks of the Ohio
#6
|
Traditional | Traditional | John FarrarBruce Welch | Olivia Newton-John (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
In a Station
|
Richard Manuel | Richard Manuel | John FarrarBruce Welch | Olivia Newton-John (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Love Song
|
Lesley Duncan | Lesley Duncan | John FarrarBruce Welch | Olivia Newton-John (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Help Me Make It Through the Night
|
Kris Kristofferson | Kris Kristofferson | John FarrarBruce Welch | Olivia Newton-John (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
If Not for You
#25
|
Bob Dylan | Bob Dylan | John FarrarBruce Welch | Olivia Newton-John (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Where Are You Going to My Love
|
Billy DayJohn GoodisonMike LeslieTony Hiller | Billy DayJohn GoodisonMike LeslieTony Hiller | John FarrarBruce Welch | Olivia Newton-John (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
Lullaby
|
Lesley Duncan | Lesley Duncan | John FarrarBruce Welch | Olivia Newton-John (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
If You Could Read My Mind
|
Gordon Lightfoot | Gordon Lightfoot | John FarrarBruce Welch | Olivia Newton-John (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
If I Gotta Leave
|
Tony HillerPaul Curtis | Tony HillerPaul Curtis | John FarrarBruce Welch | Olivia Newton-John (Lead Vocals) |
| 12 |
No Regrets
|
Tom Rush | Tom Rush | John FarrarBruce Welch | Olivia Newton-John (Lead Vocals) |