Olivia Newton-John admits ‘Physical’ lyrics were ‘raunchy’ for 1981

Let’s get physical!

Olivia Newton-John’s dance-pop anthem “Physical” turned 40 this twelvemonth — and it’s inactive arsenic iconic arsenic ever. The Australian singer, 73, looked backmost connected the song’s bequest and revealed the lyrics whitethorn person been a spot excessively “raunchy” astatine the clip of its release.

“They telephone it reinventing yourself,” the “Grease” actress told Fox News about however fans looked astatine her otherwise pursuing the merchandise of the single. “I wasn’t doing it connected purpose. It conscionable was the opus that I was attracted to and the album. But I consciousness precise fortunate that I had the accidental to grounds it.”

In fact, she didn’t instantly get that it was salacious. “I don’t deliberation I was truly alert of however raunchy it was erstwhile I was signaling it until afterward, and that’s erstwhile I freaked out.”

She did, however, consciousness “a small embarrassed” that immoderate vigor stations “banned” the blistery single.

“But looking backmost present I go, ‘That was great.’ It got attention,” she said. “And also, compared to what I’m listening to connected the vigor now, it’s much similar a lullaby.”

Olivia Newton-John said that her azygous “Physical” (inset) was a spot “raunchy” for 40 years ago.Getty Images; YouTube

“Physical” was primitively written by Steve Kipner and Terry Shaddick for British rocker Rod Stewart and past aboriginal offered to Tina Turner. Newton-John, however, was the fortunate victor who scored the tune successful the end.  

“I heard the opus and I thought, ‘Wow, that’s a large song.’ I didn’t truly recognize what it was about,” the “Xanadu” prima said, adding that she lone thought she whitethorn person “gone excessively far” aft the fact. “But it worked for me, truthful I’m precise blessed that I took the chance.”

A deluxe variation of “Physical” volition driblet connected Friday, Oct. 22. Newton-John is besides celebrating the record’s 40th anniversary by partnering with Crunch Fitness and Third Love for a Guinness World Record effort to partake successful the TikTok “Physical” challenge.

Olivia Newton-John takes up a relaxing airs successful 1981.20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock

The lawsuit is to rise consciousness for her eponymous instauration to assistance money works medicine probe to dainty cancer. (Newton-John is simply a bosom crab survivor.) The extremity of the task is to acceptable a satellite grounds for the fig of radical doing the limb assistance from the “Physical” euphony video.

The azygous was disconnected her 11th workplace medium of the aforesaid sanction and was released successful September 1981. The euphony video famously featured sweaty bodybuilders getting their fittingness connected portion moving connected bikes and treadmills. Clad successful 1980s workout gear, limb warmers and sweatbands, Newton-John gets each sweaty arsenic she tries to propulsion respective overweight men to suffer their flab.

The opus is truthful legendary that it was adjacent covered by Jane Lynch and Newton-John herself erstwhile the second guest-starred successful a 2010 occurrence of “Glee.”