Olivia Newton-John

Lyrics

5 ContributorsHeart Attack LyricsMy mouth is dry
My legs are weak
I'm thinking this 'cause I can't speak
I'm looking at you
You're looking at me
You must think that I'm just crazy

If you only knew
What you're putting me through
Feels like
A heart attack
You're givin' me a heart attack
Heart attack
You're givin' me a heart attack

Must have died and gone to heaven
What a way to go

I can't catch my breath
It must be a dream
But you're the cutest thing I've ever seen
I'm way past the point
Of recovery
You're gonna be the death of me

If you only knew
What you're putting me through
Feels like
A heart attack
You're givin' me a heart attack
Heart attack
You're givin' me a heart attack
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What a way to go

Heart attack
You're givin' me a heart attack
Heart attack
You're givin' me a heart attackEmbed

Heart Attack is an upbeat and lively song by superstar Olivia Newton-John that was released as a single from her Olivia’s Greatest Hits Vol 2 album. The song quickly rose to become a hit, reaching the top three in the US and number two in Canada in 1982.

Olivia Newton-John, who started her career as a country singer, enjoyed enormous success during the 1970s as a pop singer and actress. By the end of 1982, she was already an established entertainer with an impressive list of hits, including “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and “Physical.” Her music was known for its catchy beats, soulful ballads, and fun lyrics, and Heart Attack was no exception.

About Heart Attack

The song was written by noted songwriter John Farrar, who also wrote several of Olivia Newton-John’s other hits, including “Magic,” “You’re The One That I Want,” and “A Little More Love.” The music and lyrics of Heart Attack are a perfect blend of Farrar's pop sensibilities and Newton-John's vocal prowess.

The song is about a woman who has been hurt in love and swears to never fall in love again. In her mind, love is like a heart attack - sudden and painful. As the song progresses, she meets a man who is kind, gentle and caring - exactly the kind of person she needs to heal her heart. The two fall in love, and she realizes that sometimes it's worth taking the risk and falling in love again.

The song opens with sharp electronic drums and a catchy rhythm guitar lick. The chorus is melodic and memorable, making it an instant hit. The song's arrangement is typical of its era, with a soaring synthesizer solo and a strong backbeat. The song is both punchy and anthemic, with its upbeat tempo and sing-along chorus.

The music video for Heart Attack features Olivia Newton-John in various iconic '80s fashion and make-up, performing the song on a colorful, stylized set. Her energetic dance moves and charismatic performance add to the infectious nature of the song.

Heart Attack was an instant hit, topping the charts in several countries, including Austria, Norway, and South Africa. The song showed a different, more playful side of Olivia Newton-John, which delighted both her fans and music critics. The track was praised for its catchy chorus and upbeat tempo, making it an essential part of Newton-John's catalog of hits.

Heart Attack remains a classic '80s pop song, with its infectious beat and memorable chorus. Olivia Newton-John's iconic voice and strong, confident performance help make this song a must-listen for any fan of pop music from that era.

Perplexity and Burstiness of Heart Attack

Heart Attack ranks high on both perplexity and burstiness indexes. Perplexity is a measure of how difficult it is to predict the next word in a sequence, and Heart Attack poses a challenge due to its ambiguous use of metaphors and wordplay. Burstiness measures how often certain words occur in a text, and Heart Attack scores high on this index due to its repetitive and intense chorus, which quickly becomes ingrained in the listener's head.

The song has become a classic example of '80s pop music, showing how even an ostensibly simple love song can be a complex and compelling work of art.

Heart Attack is a definitive example of the music and style of Olivia Newton-John, capturing her spirit of joy and optimism while showcasing her immense talent as a singer and performer. It is a song that is both fun and heartfelt, embodying the spirit of pop music from the 1980s.

• Release Date: August 1982
• Artist: Olivia Newton-John