The youngest child of Professor Brin Newton-John and Irene, daughter of Nobel Prize winning physicist, Max Born, Newton-John moved to Melbourne, Australia, with her family when she was five. By the age of fifteen, she had formed an all-girl group called Sol Four. Later that year she won a talent contest on the popular TV show, “Sing, Sing, Sing,” which earned her a trip to London. By 1963, Newton-John was appearing on local daytime TV shows and weekly pop music programs in Australia. She cut her first single for Decca Records in 1966, a version of Jackie DeShannon’s "Till You Say You’ll Be Mine." In 1971, she recorded a cover of Bob Dylan’s "If Not For You," co-produced by John Farrar, with whom she continued to collaborate.
Her 1973 U.S. album debut, "Let Me Be There," produced her first top ten single of the same name, with Newton-John being honored by the Academy Of Country Music as Most Promising Female Vocalist and a Grammy Award as Best Country Vocalist. This proved to be only the beginning of a very exciting career. Her countless successes include three more Grammys, numerous Country Music Awards, American Music Awards and Peoples Choice Awards, five 1 hits including “Physical,” which topped the charts for ten consecutive weeks, and 15 top 10 singles.
In 1978, her co-starring role with John Travolta in “Grease” catapulted Newton-John into super-stardom. This film led to the production of the most successful movie musical soundtrack in history, featuring the duets "You’re The One That I Want" and "Summer Nights," with Travolta, as well as her mega-hit, "Hopelessly Devoted To You." The film was re-released worldwide in 1998 in celebration of its 20th anniversary to even more acclaim, a true testament to the film’s timeless quality. Her other film credits include “Xanadu,” “Two Of A Kind,” “It’s My Party,” and “Sordid Lives.” She followed that success, by co-starring with her daughter, Chloe, in the Showtime movie, “The Wilde Girls.” Clearly following in her mother’s footsteps, Chloe has recently signed her first record label contract.
Newton-John appeal was boundless. With a career spanning more than three decades she was adored by fans across the world. Throughout her career, the much-loved star, who danced with Gene Kelly in “Xanadu,” hosted the popular internationally syndicated “Wild Life” television show, was bestowed an O.B.E. (Order Of The British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth in 1979, has held many humanitarian causes close to her heart, particularly since the birth of her daughter Chloe in 1986. She served as Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Environment Programme and in 1991, the Colette Chuda Environmental Fund/CHEC (Children’s Health Environ-mental Coalition) was founded after the tragic death of Chloe’s best friend from a rare childhood cancer, with Olivia serving as National Spokesperson for ten years. Newton-John’s devotion and shared commitment to CHEC’s mission and goals enabled the organization to receive worldwide attention and support. (For more information visit www.CHECnet.org.)
Her charmed life has not been without its share of upset. In the 90s, Newton-John successfully overcame her own battle with breast cancer, which inspired her self-penned and produced album, “GAIA,” her most personal album reflecting upon her experiences with cancer. She used these experiences to gain greater self-awareness and became a positive inspiration to millions of people battling cancer. As a breast cancer survivor, Newton-John became increasingly well known and respected for talking openly about her battle with breast cancer and for promoting public awareness of the importance of early detection. Her personal victory against cancer led her to announce her partnership with the Austin & Repatriation Medical Centre and the creation of the “Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre” (ONJCC) on the Austin Campus in her hometown, Melbourne, Australia. The ONJCC will provide a comprehensive range of services and facilities for cancer treatment, education, training and research. (For more information visit www.armc.org.au.)
Newton-John was acknowledged many times by charitable and environmental organizations for her ongoing efforts, among them: the American Red Cross, the Environmental Media Association, the Women’s Guild of Cedar’s Sinai Medical Center, the Rainforest Alliance and Concept Cure. Olivia promotes breast health awareness and has introduced the “Olivia Breast Self-Exam Kit,” an aid to help women perform self-exams with more ease and confidence (www.liv.com).
In the 2000's, her interational recognition continued to grow. She was invited by the Vatican on behalf of Pope John Paul II to perform at the Jubilee Celebration for the Sick and Healthcare Workers. Olivia was thrilled to perform at the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics to an estimated global viewing audience of four billion people. Adding to this Olympic experience is what Olivia feels is one of her most memorable moments – the honor of carrying the Olympic Torch during the Olympic Torch Relay. Her passion for Australia was ignited again when Olivia reunited with friend and business partner, Pat Farrar, to promote the Koala Blue brand with distinctly Australian wines to proudly bring “the taste of Australia” to the rest of the world. Her healing spirit also led to the opening of the GAIA Retreat & Spa in her homeland of Australia (www.GaiaRetreat.com.au).
In 1999, her album, "Back With A Heart," garnered her an Emmy Award for her songwriting. In 2000/2001, Olivia released her only live album, "One Woman’s Live Journey," followed by “Magic - The Very Best of Olivia Newton-John,” which celebrated thirty years of recording. And if that wasn’t enough, she also released her first holiday album, “The Christmas Collection.” In 2002, a CD of duets simply titled, “2,” was recorded in Australia and features a host of talented Ozzies along with a couple of her American friends, followed by “Indigo: Women of Song,” a tribute to some of her favorite female performers.
The CD “Stronger Than Before,” release in 2005, features songs of inspiration, courage and hope that relate to the complex emotions cancer patients and their loved ones experience. A portion of the CD’s proceeds benefit cancer research.
Her recording, “Grace and Gratitude,” a CD for relaxation to promote spiritual balance and physical and emotional healing, was released in September 2006 and coincided with the launch of Newton-John's wellness products for women.
In 2002, Newton-John was inducted into the prestigious Australian Music Hall Of Fame at the 16th Annual Aria Awards. Her latest honors include receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award by friend John Travolta at the G’Day L.A. Ball in 2006.
Newton-John was also appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia by the Queen for her “service to the entertainment industry as a singer and actor, and to the community through organizations supporting breast cancer treatment, education and training research, and the environment.”
Wesite www.OliviaNewton-John.com
Physical
Olivia Newton-John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Making good conversation
I got a 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
Let's get physical, physical
I want to get physical
Let's get into physical
Let me hear your body talk, your body talk
Let me hear your body talk
Let's get physical, physical
I want to get physical
Let's get into physical
Let me hear your body talk, your body talk
Let me hear your body talk
I've been patient, I've been good
Tried to keep my hands on the table
It's gettin' hard this holdin' back
You know what I mean
I'm sure you'll understand my point of view
We know each other mentally
You gotta know that you're bringin' out
The animal in me
Let's get physical, physical
I want to get physical
Let's get into physical
Let me hear your body talk, your body talk
Let me hear your body talk
Let's get physical, physical
I want to get physical
Let's get into physical
Let me hear your body talk, your body talk
Let me hear your body talk
Oh, let's get physical, physical
I want to get physical
Let's get into physical
Let me hear your body talk, your body talk
Let me hear your body talk
Let's get animal, animal
I want to get animal
Let's get into animal
Let me hear your body talk, your body talk
Let me hear your body talk
Let me hear your body talk
Let me hear your body talk
The song "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John was released in 1981 and quickly became a hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and staying there for ten weeks. The song is about a woman who is trying to seduce her partner and get physical with him. The lyrics are full of sexual innuendo and suggest that the two of them have already had a lot of mental and emotional connection, and now she wants to take it to the next level.
The first verse has the woman saying all the things she knows her partner will like, and making good conversation. She is confident and feels like she knows how to handle him just right. The second verse talks about how they went to an intimate restaurant and saw a suggestive movie, and now there's nothing left to talk about unless it's "horizontally". This is a clear reference to wanting to have sex with her partner. The chorus talks about getting physical and hearing each other's body talk. The bridge of the song suggests that the woman has been trying to hold back, but it's getting hard for her to do so. She wants to let go and get animal with her partner.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm saying all the things that I know you'll like
I'm reciting everything that would appeal to you.
Making good conversation
Having a great talk.
I got a handle you just right
I know how to treat you well.
You know what I mean
You understand what I'm saying.
I took you to an intimate restaurant
I brought you to a private place.
Then to a suggestive movie
I took you to watch an erotic film.
There's nothing left to talk about
We have nothing else to discuss.
'Less it's horizontally
Unless we start getting intimate.
Let's get physical, physical
Let's start getting intimate.
I want to get physical
I am interested in physical intimacy.
Let's get into physical
Let's start getting physically intimate.
Let me hear your body talk, your body talk
I want you to express your physical desires.
I've been patient, I've been good
I waited and behaved properly.
Tried to keep my hands on the table
I tried to avoid acting on my impulses.
It's gettin' hard this holdin' back
It's becoming difficult to control myself.
You know what I mean
You understand how tempting it is.
I'm sure you'll understand my point of view
I believe you can sympathize with my intentions.
We know each other mentally
We understand each other intellectually.
You gotta know that you're bringin' out
You need to realize that you're arousing.
The animal in me
My raw and passionate side.
Let's get animal, animal
Let's unleash our physical desires.
I want to get animal
I am interested in primal desires.
Let's get into animal
Let's be enticed by each other's animalistic desires.
Let me hear your body talk, your body talk
I want to hear you communicate your physical needs.
Let me hear your body talk
I want to know what your body desires.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Kipner, Terry Shaddick
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tytylerty8264
RIP Olivia Newton-John! Legends never truly die, her voice will live on for eternity!
@rosyc9250
I loved her voice. Age 73 is young in these times. RIP
@DeeBaby365
Yaaaassssss💯💯💯💯💯
@mattie1232
I miss her so much
@julee0353
Rest In Peace
@reddhead2948
Her suffering is over
@karissanoel
My dad was the set designer for this and I got to visit the set. It was a HUGE thrill for 11 year old me! Ah, memories.
@RunCrywolf_Jeff
My condoleances to your dad
@jenniferboucher8099
That is very cool, thanks for sharing!
@MsNursenancy
Wow. How cool.