Something Better To Do

Album: Clearly Love (1975)
Charted: 13
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Songfacts®:

  • Written by Olivia Newton-John's longtime collaborator John Farrar, this sunny-sounding breakup tune was the singer's fifth #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, although it was never intended to be a single. Farrar says he was inspired by stage numbers of the 1940s and "expected it to be a silly song."
  • Newton-John is despondent after the split and can't find happiness in even the simplest of things, like birds singing: "Baby, till you're back in my arms, the birds will have to find something better to do."
  • Farrar is dismissive of the song, but he does admit that it showcases Newton-John's vocal talent. "It was very open that way," he told Billboard. "She had this lovely, pure quality that was great to hear at the time."
  • This was also a #19 hit on the Country chart.

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