Love Is In The Air: John Paul Young’s 1978 Disco Anthem

In 1978, John Paul Young released Love Is In The Air, a disco-pop gem that reached No. 3 on the Kent Music Report. Released on Albert Productions, it charted for 21 weeks and became a global hit. Written and produced by Harry Vanda and George Young, it was the lead single from JPY’s fourth album. Kept from No. 1 by songs like Baker Street and You’re The One That I Want, it soared again to No. 3 in 1992, thanks to Strictly Ballroom. Let’s dive into its Sydney origins, chart run, and enduring dancefloor magic.

Sydney’s Disco Star
John Paul Young, or JPY, was a Sydney native who’d been hustling since the ’60s, fronting bands like Elm Tree and shining in Jesus Christ Superstar. By 1978, he was Albert Productions’ star, guided by Vanda-Young—Harry Vanda and George Young, Easybeats icons who’d shaped AC/DC. They crafted Love Is In The Air as a disco-pop love song, recorded at Rhinoceros Studios, Sydney. JPY’s silky vocals, backed by Warren Morgan (keys) and Ian Miller (guitar), gave it infectious charm. The lead single for JPY’s Love Is In The Air album, it was built for dancefloors and radio.

Chart Success
Charting on May 15th, ’78, as catalogue number AP-11710, it hit No. 3, blocked by Baker Street, You’re The One That I Want, and Wuthering Heights. It ran for 21 weeks, with Vanda-Young’s production ensuring polish. The B-side, Won’t Let This Feeling Go By, kept the romantic vibe. It went global—top 10 in the UK, No. 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100, No. 2 in South Africa. In ’92, Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom revived it to No. 3 in Australia. Countdown and radio airplay, plus Albert’s promotion, made it a disco staple.

The ’78 Scene
Australia in 1978 was disco-mad—mirror balls, flared jeans, and Saturday Night Fever ruled. Love Is In The Air fit perfectly, but JPY’s Aussie warmth made it less slick than the Bee Gees and more like a mate’s anthem. Countdown gave it constant play, and pub discos from Sydney to Perth kept it spinning. Unlike Cold Chisel’s grit or The Saints’ edge, JPY delivered feel-good pop that had everyone dancing, from rollerskating rinks to backyard parties.

Why It Endures
Love Is In The Air is John Paul Young’s signature hit, a staple at weddings and retro nights. Its 1992 revival in Strictly Ballroom—powering iconic dance scenes—embedded it in Aussie culture. Covered by Tom Jones and Cher, it’s a radio favourite on Triple M and Gold FM. JPY still performs at festivals like Red Hot Summer, keeping the song alive. It’s a 1978 time capsule—disco, love, and optimism. Play it, and you’re rollerskating under flashing lights, heart soaring. Got a JPY memory? Share it below—I’m all ears!