Totally Hot

1978 was a big year for Newton-John, when her career soared after she starred in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Grease. She was offered the lead role of Sandy after meeting producer Allan Carr at a dinner party at Helen Reddy's home.^[3] The movie became the biggest box-office hit of 1978,^[4] and the soundtrack album which the former two songs were written and composed by her long-time music producer, John Farrar, specifically for the film,^[5] yielded three Top 5 singles for Newton-John,^[6] and became one of the best-selling soundtracks of all time.^[7]

Newton-John's transformation in Grease from goody-goody "Sandy 1" to spandex-clad "Sandy 2" emboldened Newton-John to do the same with her music career. In November 1978, she released Totally Hot.

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[8]
Stereo Review	(favourable)[9]

The album received favourable reviews from music critics. Joe Viglione from AllMusic wrote that the album "is one of the most fun albums from Olivia Newton John". He also said that "[the album] is one of her most satisfying projects" and "one of the more consistently entertaining albums in the collection".^[8]

The album reached No. 30 in the UK (where it was also released as a limited edition picture disc) and it was certified Gold.^[10] The album was a top 10 success in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Israel and Japan, as well as a chart-topper in Ireland. The album was re-released in Japan during 2010 featuring two bonus tracks: an extended version of "Totally Hot" and "Love Is Alive" from her 1981 live album, Love Performance.

Although the album de-emphasised Newton-John's country sound, it still reached No. 4 on the Billboard Country Albums chart.

Side one

1. "Please Don't Keep Me Waiting" (Joe Falsia, Stephen Sinclair) – 5:51
2. "Dancin' 'Round and 'Round" (Adam Mitchell) – 4:02
3. "Talk to Me" (Olivia Newton-John) – 3:31
4. "Deeper Than the Night" (Tom Snow, Johnny Vastano) – 3:39
5. "Borrowed Time" (Olivia Newton-John) – 3:38

Side two

1. "A Little More Love" (John Farrar) – 3:29
2. "Never Enough" (John Farrar, Pat Farrar, Trevor Spencer, Alan Tarney) – 4:13
3. "Totally Hot" (John Farrar) – 3:14
4. "Boats Against the Current" (Eric Carmen) – 4:00
5. "Gimme Some Lovin'" (Spencer Davis, Muff Winwood, Steve Winwood) – 4:15

2010 Japanese SHM-CD bonus tracks

11. "Love Is Alive" (Live in Osaka, Japan, December 1976) – 3:04
12. "Totally Hot" (extended version) – 5:20

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.

Production

• John Farrar – producer
• David J. Holman – engineer, mixing
• Michael Carnavale – second engineer
• Terry Becker – second engineer
• Betsy Banghart – second engineer
• Bart Johnson – second engineer
• Ron Garrett – second engineer
• George Tutko – second engineer
• Bob Mockler – second engineer
• Allen Zentz – mastering

Studios

• Recorded at Cherokee Studios, Hollywood Sound Recorders and Group IV Recording Studios in Hollywood, California.
• Mixed at Indigo Ranch in Malibu, California.
• Mastered at Allen Zentz Mastering in Hollywood, California.

Design

• Ria Lewerke – art direction, design
• Claude Mougin – photography
• Fleur Thiemeyer – costume design

Business

• MCA Records – record label, US copyright owner (1978)
• EMI Records – record label, UK copyright owner (1978)
• Interfusion Records – record label, Australian copyright owner (1978)