One of Olivia Newton-John‘s hits became the best-selling song of the ’80s, and even though its success defined an entire decade, it was banned from radio at one point due to its racy nature.
The 1981 release, “Physical,” smashed records with its 10-week consecutive run in the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, first entering into the highly-coveted placement on Nov. 21, 1981.
Naturally, the track fell in the No. 1 spot of Billboard’s “Top Songs of the ’80s” list, followed by Kim Carnes‘ “Bette Davis Eyes” at No. 2, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie‘s summer 1981 duet, “Endless Love,” Survivor‘s “Eye of the Tiger,” and “Every Breath You Take” by The Police, rounding out the top five.
Related: ’80s Rock Legend’s No. 1 Best-Selling Song of All Time Released 43 Years Ago Today
Dressed in a workout ensemble in an aerobics-themed video, the lyrics to Newton-John’s track described “getting physical” in a different way, as she sang, “I’m saying all the things that I know you’ll like / Making good conversation / I gotta handle you just right / You know what I mean / I took you to an intimate restaurant / Then to a suggestive movie / There’s nothing left to talk about / ‘Less it’s horizontally.”
Written by Steve Kipner and Terry Shaddick, “Physical” was initially created with a male singer in mind, and was even offered toTina Turner before ultimately falling into the hands of the Grease star, according to American Songwriter.
The singer-actress recalled making the song in an interview with Fox News Digital years ago. “They call it reinventing yourself,” Newton-John said in 2021. “I wasn’t doing it on purpose. It just was the song that I was attracted to and the album. But I feel very fortunate that I had the opportunity to record it.”
Though a major hit and defining career moment for the “A Little More Love” songstress, it was deemed too raunchy at the time for radio airplay in many markets, including cities across Utah. The tune, however, provided a segue from her good girl persona as Sandy Olsson on the cult-favorite coming-of-age film, to other mature love songs like “Soul Kiss,” “Make a Move on Me,” and “Twist of Fate.”
“I don’t think I was really aware of how raunchy it was when I was recording it until afterward, and that’s when I freaked out,” she said, per the outlet. “But looking back now I go, ‘That was great.’ It got attention. And also, compared to what I’m listening to on the radio now, it’s more like a lullaby.”
Olivia Newton-John died on Aug. 8, 2022, at the age of 73, after a long battle with breast cancer.
Related: 1967 Best-Selling Hit Ranked No. 1 ‘Greatest Song’ of All Time
