Although the film was a critical and commercial disappointment, the soundtrack was successful, especially in the United States, where it was certified Platinum by RIAA.[2]
Newton-John and Travolta had previously worked together on the film Grease, which became a box office hit, the same success awaited the soundtrack and singles from it, including their duet "You're the One That I Want."[3] This time around, they reteamed for another duet, "Take a Chance", which was released as a single in some territories, the very first a-side of a single to credit Newton-John as a writer (she, in fact, wrote the lyrics; the music was written by Foster, Toto's Steve Lukather, and Newton-John herself). In the US the song was a B-side and only serviced to radio. On the strength of the latter, it entered the top three of the Adult Contemporary chart.[4] In Canada, it hit number one on the Adult Contemporary chart.[5]
Newton-John's American top 5 hit "Twist of Fate" also hit number four in both Canada and Australia. "(Livin' in) Desperate Times" was issued as the second single in the US and reached number 31 in the Hot 100.
In support of the album, two additional singles were issued. "Ask the Lonely" by Journey, which was originally intended for the album Frontiers (1983) hit number three on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Chart.[6] "It's Gonna Be Special" by Patti Austin, hit number 82 on the Hot 100 and also entered the Hot Black Singles chart at number 15 and top 5 of the dance chart in 1984.[7]
In their review, Billboard noted that "Newton-John's "Twist Of Fate," produced by David Foster, is the first top 40 smash from this soundtrack to her forthcoming third film. Since both of the first two soundtracks ( "Grease" and "Xanadu") went platinum and yielded a series of hit singles, the prospects are strong for this latest effort. Besides Newton-John, the album features John Travolta, Patti Austin, Steve Kipner, Journey, Chicago and David Foster. Most of the material is sprightly and sassy, reflecting the direction in which Newton-John has been steadily moving in recent years."[9]
Cashbox stated that "although Travolta and Newton-John get top billing on this LP, it is important to note that Travolta only appears on one duet with Newton-John while the rest of the record features such varied artists as Journey, Chicago and Patti Austin. Two Of A Kind represents more a collection of singles than an actual soundtrack...the record does, however, have a unified sound since David Foster produced most of the tracks. The songs fit into the AOR/Adult Contemporary league although many of the tracks, especially the Newton-John songs, have a rougher, more upbeat feel for the dance oriented market."
[10]
Allmusic gave the album a mixed review, stating that "the soundtrack to Two of a Kind is devoted to forced mainstream pop and soft rock, none of which is as memorable as the hits from Newton-John's Physical. Her three hits from the soundtrack - "Twist of Fate," "Take a Chance," "Livin' in Desperate Times" - are not bad, but they're surrounded by filler from Patti Austin, Steve Kipner, Boz Scaggs, Chicago and David Foster; only Journey's "Ask the Lonely" offers enjoyably trashy mainstream pop. As a result, the soundtrack falls flat, functioning only as a reasonably entertaining pop artifact from the early '80s."[11]
