Episode 108: Luis Xtravaganza on the “Grease” Soundtrack (1978)

Episode notes

Although Grease was originally a somewhat raunchy Broadway musical, the film and the soundtrack (released 2 months ahead of the film’s release) has left a lasting impact on millions of young adults the world over. Its relatable themes and catchy tunes have stuck with audiences, even 40 years after its initial release. The soundtrack contained numbers performed by the cast and more than a few songs by 1950s revivalist band, Sha Na Na. It went on to top the Billboard music charts, selling over 8 million copies, and helped launch Olivia Newton-John’s career into a completely different direction. It also spawned a sequel, a recent live television special, and just this year, a Rydell High spinoff was just ordered by HBO.

Dancer and choreographer Luis Xtravaganza joins Oliver and guest co-host Ernest Hardy to discuss his love of the soundtrack, the influence it had on his career, and why you just can’t not dance to so many of these earworms. Grease is the word.

More on Luis Xtravaganza

• Werque podcast
• Luis’ werque dance classes
• Instagram | Facebook

More on the Grease OST

• Grease is the Word (People)
• “How Grease Beat the Odds and Became the Biggest Movie Musical of the 20th Century” (Vanity Fair)
• Grease Turns 40 (Hollywood Reporter)

Show Tracklisting (all songs from the Grease soundtrack unless indicated otherwise)

• You’re the One That I Want
• Greased Lightnin’
• Grease
• Summer Nights
• There Are Worse Things I Can Do
• Alone At A Drive In Movie
• Michelle Pfeiffer: Cool Rider
• Alison Moyet: There Are Worse Things I Can Do
• Hopelessly Devoted to You
• Olivia Newton-John: I Honestly Love You
• Born to Hand Jive
• Summer Nights
• Born to Hand Jive
• Grease
• We Go Together
• Blondie: Tide Is High
• We Go Together
• The Shirelles: Tonight’s the Night
• Jennifer Hudson: And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going
• Yvonne Elliman: If I Can’t Have You

Here is the Spotify playlist of as many songs as we can find there.

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