Physical ( Olivia Newton - John song ) - wikipedia Physical ( Olivia Newton - John song ) This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( June 2011 ) `` Physical '' Single by Olivia Newton - John from the album Physical B - side `` The Promise ( The Dolphin Song ) '' Released 28 September 1981 Recorded January 1981 Genre Dance, Post-Disco, Length 3 : 45 6 : 58 ( extended ) Label MCA Songwriter ( s ) Steve Kipner Terry Shaddick Producer ( s ) John Farrar Olivia Newton - John singles chronology `` Suddenly '' ( 1980 ) `` Physical '' ( 1981 ) `` Make a Move on Me '' ( 1982 ) Audio sample file help `` Physical '' is a song by the British - born Australian singer Olivia Newton - John for her twelfth studio album Physical. It was released in September 1981, by MCA Records as the lead single from the project. The song was written by Steve Kipner and Terry Shaddick, who originally intended to offer it to British singer - songwriter Rod Stewart, while production was handled by John Farrar. The song had also been offered to Tina Turner by her manager at the time, but she turned it down, and the song went to Newton - John who shared manager Roger Davies with Turner at this time. The song was an immediate success, shipping 2 million copies in the United States, being certified Platinum, and spending 10 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, ultimately becoming Newton - John 's biggest American hit as well as being the 1980s ' most popular. It also cemented Newton - John 's legacy as a pop superstar, a journey that began when she crossed over from her earlier country - pop roots with `` You 're The One That I Want '' ( with John Travolta ) and progressively got edgier with `` A Little More Love '' and `` Magic ''. Still, Physical arguably kicked things up a notch with its suggestive lyrics ( resulting in its even being banned in some markets ) and unquestionably tossed Newton - John 's longstanding `` goody two - shoes '' image to the curb for good, permanently replacing it with a new, sexy and assertive persona that was further cemented by follow - up hits such as `` Make A Move On Me '', `` Twist of Fate '' and `` Soul Kiss ''. The song reached number 7 on the UK chart in November. The song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and won the Billboard Award for Top Pop Single. Contents 1 Reception 2 Music video 2.1 Synopsis 2.2 Reception 3 Legacy 4 Charts 4.1 Weekly singles charts 4.2 Year - end charts 4.3 End - of - decade charts 4.4 All - time charts 5 Sales and certifications 6 See also 7 References 8 External links Reception Recorded in early 1981, it first rose to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in America in November 1981 and stayed there for 10 weeks, until near the end of January 1982. It reached # 2 on the Radio & Records CHR / Pop Airplay chart on November 27, 1981, staying there for two weeks and remaining on the chart for fourteen weeks. In terms of chart placement, it was the most popular single of her career in the U.S., as well as her final number - one ( to date ). Billboard ranked it as the number one pop single of 1982 ( since the chart year for 1982 actually began in November 1981 ), and it was also the most successful song on the Hot 100 during the 1980s in terms of the number of weeks spent at number one. The guitar solo was performed by Steve Lukather. `` Physical '' was both preceded and followed in the # 1 chart position by recordings of the duo Hall & Oates. `` Private Eyes '' was dethroned by `` Physical '' in November 1981, and `` Physical '' was dethroned by `` I Ca n't Go for That ( No Can Do ) '' the following January. `` Physical '' held `` Waiting for a Girl Like You '' by Foreigner at # 2 off the top of the Hot 100 for nine weeks, and `` I Ca n't Go For That '' held Foreigner 's hit at # 2 for its tenth and final week. The single, slightly edgier than she had been known for in the past ( such as her songs from Grease and her country - pop ballad `` I Honestly Love You '' ), proved to be immensely popular both in America and in the United Kingdom, despite the fact that the song was censored and even banned by some radio stations due to its sexually suggestive content -- for example, the line : `` There 's nothing left to talk about unless it 's horizontally. '' On the other hand, in spite of Newton - John 's status as the reigning queen of soft - rock music at the time, `` Physical '' peaked at only number twenty - nine on the adult contemporary ( AC ) chart. ( Its follow - up, the slightly softer - edged `` Make a Move on Me, '' found more acceptance at AC radio and went to number six AC as well as number five pop. ) The song was a big dance hit, crossed over to peak at # 28 on the Billboard R&B chart, and spawned a music video. In the United Kingdom the single was not nearly as massive a success as in America, but still became a big hit, reaching # 7. It was also certified Silver. The song was later skewered by SuLu 's parody `` Physical '', featured on Dr. Demento 's weekly show, with such lyrics as `` It 's time I got a physical, physical '' and `` Press that thing against my chest and listen to my body talk, body talk ''. Music video The music video was directed by Brian Grant. Synopsis The controversial music video that was released to promote the song featured Newton - John in a gym with well - built men in the last half. Some of the scenes have sexual subtext, such as the shower scene or when Newton - John rubs herself on the men. The video features Newton - John, dressed in a tight leotard, as trying to make several overweight men healthy. She repeatedly tries to make the men lose weight, but they fail comically and she leaves the room to take a shower. When the men work out on their own, they suddenly transform into muscular, attractive men. A stylistic shot shows one muscular man glancing at his overweight self in a mirror. Newton - John is shocked when she returns to this, and starts to flirt with them. Two of the men secretly go out, holding hands, implying they are gay. This surprises Newton - John, as does the sight of two more of the men leaving with their arms around each other. Finally, she finds that the last of the overweight men is straight and they go off to play tennis together. Reception The Olivia Physical video ( where `` Physical '' music video was included ) won a Grammy Award for Video of the Year in 1983. The video was featured on Pop - Up Video on VH1 and was the first video to air on Beavis and Butt - head, on which they changed the channel to `` I Wanna Be Sedated '' by The Ramones. Legacy Billboard ranked the song at # 6 on its All Time Top 100, # 1 on its Top 50 Sexiest Songs Of All Time, and # 1 on its Top 100 Songs of the 1980s list. The revamped bossa nova version of the song was released on the 2002 Olivia duet album ( 2 ) as a bonus track ; this version replaces the original in latest tours of Newton - John. A Newton - John duet with Jane Lynch was displayed in the episode `` Bad Reputation '' of the television series Glee. Charts Weekly singles charts Chart ( 1981 -- 82 ) Peak position Australia ( Kent Music Report ) Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) Canada ( RPM ) Germany ( Media Control AG ) Ireland ( IRMA ) Japan ( Oricon ) 17 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) New Zealand ( RIANZ ) Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan ) 15 Switzerland ( Schweizer Hitparade ) UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 7 US Billboard Hot 100 US Radio & Records CHR / Pop Airplay Chart US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) 29 US Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Songs ( Billboard ) 28 Chart ( 2010 ) Peak position US Billboard Hot 100 ( Glee version with Jane Lynch ) 89 Year - end charts Chart ( 1981 ) Rank Australia 29 Canada 51 UK 65 Chart ( 1982 ) Rank Canada 15 US Billboard Hot 100 End - of - decade charts Chart ( 1980 -- 1989 ) Rank U.S. Billboard Hot 100 All - time charts Chart Rank US Billboard Hot 100 10 US Billboard Hot 100 ( Women ) Sales and certifications Region Certification Certified units / Sales Australia ( ARIA ) Platinum 100,000 Canada ( Music Canada ) 2 × Platinum 300,000 United Kingdom ( BPI ) Silver 250,000 United States ( RIAA ) Platinum 2,000,000 Total sales : 2,550,000 sales figures based on certification alone shipments figures based on certification alone See also List of number - one singles in Australia during the 1980s List of RPM number - one singles of 1981 List of RPM number - one singles of 1982 List of number - one singles in 1981 ( New Zealand ) List of number - one singles in 1982 ( New Zealand ) List of number - one hits of 1981 ( Switzerland ) List of Hot 100 number - one singles of 1981 ( U.S. ) List of Hot 100 number - one singles of 1982 ( U.S. ) References Jump up ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. `` Physical - Olivia Newton - John - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic ''. AllMusic. Jump up ^ Juke Magazine, 13 March 1982. Jump up ^ http://www.songwriteruniverse.com/kipner.htm Jump up ^ `` American single certifications -- Olivia Newton - John -- Physical ''. Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. ^ Jump up to : `` Physical ''. wweb.uta.edu. Retrieved 8 January 2018. Jump up ^ Whitburn, Joel ( 1996 ). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits ( 6th ed. ). Billboard Publications, Inc. p. 810. ISBN 0 - 8230 - 7632 - 6. Jump up ^ `` British single certifications -- Olivia Newton - John -- Physical ''. British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Type Physical in the `` Search BPI Awards '' field and then press Enter. Jump up ^ `` Song Details : ' Physical ' by SuLu ''. Retrieved 2017 - 01 - 21. Jump up ^ ( 1 ) Archived 1 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ `` The 50 Sexiest Songs Of All Time Page 5 ''. Billboard. Retrieved 2014 - 05 - 13. Jump up ^ `` The Top 20 Billboard Hot 100 Hits of the 1980s ''. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 14, 2015. Jump up ^ Kent, David ( 1993 ). Australian Chart Book 1970 -- 1992 ( Illustrated ed. ). St. Ives, N.S.W. : Australian Chart Book. p. 217. ISBN 0 - 646 - 11917 - 6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between mid-1983 and 12 June 1988. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Olivia Newton - John -- Physical '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratop 50. Jump up ^ `` Olivia Newton - John : Artist Chart History ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 18, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Olivia Newton - John ''. wweb.uta.edu. Retrieved 8 January 2018. Jump up ^ `` Olivia Newton - John Chart History ( Adult Contemporary ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved April 18, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Olivia Newton - John Chart History ( Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Songs ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved April 18, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016. CS1 maint : Archived copy as title ( link ) Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2016. CS1 maint : Archived copy as title ( link ) Jump up ^ Bronson, Fred ( 2 August 2013 ). `` Hot 100 55th Anniversary : The All - Time Top 100 Songs ''. Billboard. Retrieved 1 August 2018. Jump up ^ Bronson, Fred. `` Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs by Women : Page 1 ''. Billboard. Retrieved 2018 - 03 - 26. Jump up ^ `` Kent Music Report No 453 -- 28 February 1983 > Platinum and Gold Singles 1982 ''. Imgur.com ( original document published by Kent Music Report ). Retrieved 4 August 2018. Jump up ^ `` Canadian single certifications -- Olivia Newton - John -- Physical ''. Music Canada. Retrieved 15 April 2012. Jump up ^ `` British single certifications -- Olivia Newton - John -- Physical ''. British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 1 April 2012. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Physical in the `` Search BPI Awards '' field and then press Enter. Jump up ^ `` American single certifications -- Newton - John, Olivia -- Physical ''. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 1 April 2012. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. External links MTV Video stills Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics Billboard Year - End number one singles ( 1980 -- 1999 ) 1980 : `` Call Me '' -- Blondie 1981 : `` Bette Davis Eyes '' -- Kim Carnes 1982 : `` Physical '' -- Olivia Newton - John 1983 : `` Every Breath You Take '' -- The Police 1984 : `` When Doves Cry '' -- Prince 1985 : `` Careless Whisper '' -- Wham ! featuring George Michael 1986 : `` That 's What Friends Are For '' -- Dionne & Friends 1987 : `` Walk Like an Egyptian '' -- The Bangles 1988 : `` Faith '' -- George Michael 1989 : `` Look Away '' -- Chicago 1990 : `` Hold On '' -- Wilson Phillips 1991 : `` ( Everything I Do ) I Do It for You '' -- Bryan Adams 1992 : `` End of the Road '' -- Boyz II Men 1993 : `` I Will Always Love You '' -- Whitney Houston 1994 : `` The Sign '' -- Ace of Base 1995 : `` Gangsta 's Paradise '' -- Coolio featuring L.V. 1996 : `` Macarena ( Bayside Boys Mix ) '' -- Los del Río 1997 : `` Candle in the Wind 1997 '' / `` Something About the Way You Look Tonight '' -- Elton John 1998 : `` Too Close '' -- Next 1999 : `` Believe '' -- Cher Complete list ( 1946 -- 1959 ) ( 1960 -- 1979 ) ( 1980 -- 1999 ) ( 2000 -- 2019 ) Olivia Newton - John Albums Singles Videography Tours Awards and honours Studio albums If Not for You Olivia Let Me Be There Long Live Love If You Love Me, Let Me Know Have You Never Been Mellow Clearly Love Come On Over Do n't Stop Believin ' Making a Good Thing Better Totally Hot Physical Soul Kiss The Rumour Warm and Tender Gaia : One Woman 's Journey Back with a Heart Indigo : Women of Song Stronger Than Before Grace and Gratitude Christmas Wish A Celebration in Song This Christmas Liv On Friends for Christmas Compilations Greatest Hits Greatest Hits Vol. 2 Back to Basics : The Essential Collection 1971 -- 1992 The Definitive Collection Magic Gold 40 / 40 Live albums Love Performance Highlights from The Main Event One Woman 's Live Journey Olivia 's Live Hits Two Strong Hearts Live Soundtracks Grease Xanadu Two of a Kind A Few Best Men EPs Hotel Sessions Video releases Olivia Physical Olivia in Concert Twist of Fate Soul Kiss Olivia Down Under The Main Event Video Gold Live at the Sydney Opera House Singles `` Till You Say You 'll Be Mine '' `` If Not for You '' `` Banks of the Ohio '' `` What Is Life '' `` Just a Little Too Much '' `` Take Me Home, Country Roads '' `` Let Me Be There '' `` Long Live Love '' `` I Honestly Love You '' `` If You Love Me, Let Me Know '' `` Have You Never Been Mellow '' `` Please Mr. Please '' `` Something Better to Do '' `` Let It Shine '' `` Come on Over '' `` Jolene '' `` Do n't Stop Believin ' '' `` Every Face Tells a Story '' `` Sam '' `` You 're the One That I Want '' `` Summer Nights '' `` Hopelessly Devoted to You '' `` A Little More Love '' `` Deeper Than the Night '' `` Rest Your Love on Me '' `` Magic '' `` Xanadu '' `` Suddenly '' `` Physical '' `` Make a Move on Me '' `` Landslide '' `` Heart Attack '' `` Tied Up '' `` Twist of Fate '' `` Soul Kiss '' `` When You Wish upon a Star '' `` The Grease Megamix '' `` Mickey ( Chew Fu Fix ) '' Featured singles `` I Ca n't Help It '' `` You Have to Believe '' Other songs `` Lift Me Up '' Concert tours Totally Hot World Tour Physical Tour The Main Event Tour Greatest Hits Tour One Woman 's Journey Tour 30 Musical Years Tour Heartstrings World Tour 2006 World Tour Grace and Gratitude Tour Body Heart & Spirit Tour An Evening with ONJ 2010 World Tour 2011 United States Tour A Summer Night with ONJ Summer Nights Two Strong Hearts Live Related articles Toomorrow ( soundtrack ) Olivia Newton - John : Hopelessly Devoted to You Max Born Pat Carrol John Farrar Tottie Goldsmith Chloe Rose Lattanzi ( daughter ) Matt Lattanzi ( first husband ) Emerson Newton - John ( nephew ) Book Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Physical_(Olivia_Newton-John_song)&oldid=865834979 '' Categories : 1981 singles 1982 singles Billboard Hot 100 number - one singles European Hot 100 Singles number - one singles Number - one singles in Australia Number - one singles in New Zealand Number - one singles in Switzerland Olivia Newton - John songs RPM Top Singles number - one singles Songs written by Steve Kipner Songs about sexuality Song recordings produced by John Farrar MCA Records singles 1981 songs Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links CS1 maint : Archived copy as title Use dmy dates from June 2011 Articles needing additional references from June 2011 All articles needing additional references Articles with hAudio microformats Singlechart usages for Flanders Singlechart usages for UKsinglesbyname Singlechart usages for Billboardadultcontemporary Singlechart called without song Singlechart usages for Billboardrandbhiphop Certification Table Entry usages for Australia Certification Table Entry usages for Canada Certification Table Entry usages for United Kingdom Certification Table Entry usages for United States Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Español Français Italiano Magyar Norsk nynorsk Português Edit links This page was last edited on 26 October 2018, at 13 : 47 ( UTC ). About Wikipedia

Question: when did let's get physical come out
Answer: 28 September 1981