Olivia Newton-John, Physical | Midnight Heat

In the 51^st edition of Midnight Heat (2023), we explore the naughty, sexy vibes behind “Physical” by Olivia Newton-John. 

“There’s nothin’ left to talk about / Unless it’s horizontally.” OMG !!! Ah, bring on Midnight Heat ! Wait – it is not usually hot at midnight! Well, it is steaming hot at midnight when it comes to this naughty, innuendo and sex-laden column featuring songs intended for nighttime. Yeah, we are talking about that after dark, bedroom boom $hi†, ya dig? These unapologetic records often raises both eyebrows and temperature alike. Woo! In the 51^st edition of Midnight Heat (2023), we explore the naughty, sexy vibes behind, “Physical” by Olivia Newton-John. 

via GIPHY

On August 8, 2022, the world lost a beloved actress and singer in Olivia Newton-John.  Newton-John is best known, as far as acting, for her role in Grease. When it comes to singing, among her most easily recognizable hits is “Physical”.  “Physical” is NOT an innocent bop from the Newton-John – it’s more risqué and S-E-X-U-A-L. Besides the horizontal lyric that earned some bans for Newton-John’s ace in the hole, the irresistibly naughty chorus lays out the sexual intentions:

“Let’s get physical, physical

I wanna get physical

Let’s get into  physical,

Let me hear your body talk, your body talk.”

The body talking is self-explanatory, right? Sure, the music video seeks to intentionally mask the sexual nature of the song, with its fitness vibes, but we all know “Physical” is a sex song, period.  In the second verse, Olivia sings, “I’m sure you’ll understand my point of view / We know each other mentally,” continuing, “You gotta know that you’re bringin’ out / The animal in me.” RAWRRR! Despite pushing the envelope, “Physical” spent 10 weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving it one of the longer reigns of all-time.  Songs have reigned the Billboard Hot 100 longer, but its rare to top the charts for 10 consecutive weeks.  Besides the ripe innuendo, credit “Physical” for the chill, sweet, playful vocals by Newton-John, as well as its tuneful melody. Who doesn’t wanna do it after listening to this enduring Midnight Heat !!!

via GIPHY

Olivia Newton-John • Physical • Primary Wave Music • 1981

Olivia Newton-John, “Physical”: Midnight Heat No. 51 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Primary Wave Music; Ash via Pexels; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Dorothe, Stefan Schweihofer via Pixabay]