Physical (Olivia Newton-John album)
Encyclopedia
Physical is a 1981 MCA Records
studio album by Olivia Newton-John
. It is her most successful studio album, being certified double Platinum in the US. The title track, written by Steve Kipner and Terry Shaddick, spent ten weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 matching the then record of most weeks at No. 1 held by Debby Boone
's You Light Up My Life. The single was certified Platinum and it ultimately ranked as the biggest song of the decade. (In 2008, Billboard ranked the song No. 6 among all songs that charted in the 50-year history of the Hot 100.) The Physical album spawned two more singles, Make a Move on Me
(No. 5 Pop, No. 6 AC) and Landslide (No. 52 Pop).
"Physical" earned Newton-John her only placements ever on the R&B Singles (No. 28) and Albums (No. 32) chart. Newton-John received her fifth Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance - Female for the title track.
The provocative lyrics of the title track prompted two Utah radio stations to ban the single from their playlists. (In 2010, Billboard magazine ranked this as the most popular single ever about sex.) To counter its overtly suggestive tone, Newton-John filmed an exercise-themed video that turned the song into an aerobics anthem (and made headbands a fashion accessory outside the gym). Newton-John became a pioneer in the nascent music video industry by recording a video album for the Physical album featuring videos of all the album's tracks and three of her previous hits, A Little More Love, Hopelessly Deovted To You and Magic. The video album earned her a fourth Grammy and was aired as an ABC prime time special, Let's Get Physical, becoming a Top 10 Nielsen hit. The home video version, "Olivia Physical," reached No. 11 on the Billboard VHS Sales chart and No. 18 on the Billboard Video Rentals chart. (Although the video album is presently out of print, the videos are available on Newton-John's Video Gold 1 collection.)
The success of Physical prompted Newton-John to return to touring - her first since the release of her 1978 album Totally Hot
. (Newton-John would not tour again until 1999.) In 2010, Universal Music Japan re-released the album with two additional tracks, Heart Attack and Tied Up, which were originally recorded for and released as singles from Newton-John's 1982 album, Olivia's Greatest Hits Vol. 2.
The album was also certified Gold in the UK.
Side B
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
studio album by Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
. It is her most successful studio album, being certified double Platinum in the US. The title track, written by Steve Kipner and Terry Shaddick, spent ten weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 matching the then record of most weeks at No. 1 held by Debby Boone
Debby Boone
Deborah Anne Boone is an American singer and stage actress. She is best known for her 1977 hit, "You Light Up My Life," which spent a then record ten weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and led to her winning the Grammy Award for Best New Artist the following year...
's You Light Up My Life. The single was certified Platinum and it ultimately ranked as the biggest song of the decade. (In 2008, Billboard ranked the song No. 6 among all songs that charted in the 50-year history of the Hot 100.) The Physical album spawned two more singles, Make a Move on Me
Make a Move on Me
"Make A Move On Me" is a song recorded by Olivia Newton-John. The follow-up single to her huge U.S. #1 Hit Physical, it peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100...
(No. 5 Pop, No. 6 AC) and Landslide (No. 52 Pop).
"Physical" earned Newton-John her only placements ever on the R&B Singles (No. 28) and Albums (No. 32) chart. Newton-John received her fifth Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance - Female for the title track.
The provocative lyrics of the title track prompted two Utah radio stations to ban the single from their playlists. (In 2010, Billboard magazine ranked this as the most popular single ever about sex.) To counter its overtly suggestive tone, Newton-John filmed an exercise-themed video that turned the song into an aerobics anthem (and made headbands a fashion accessory outside the gym). Newton-John became a pioneer in the nascent music video industry by recording a video album for the Physical album featuring videos of all the album's tracks and three of her previous hits, A Little More Love, Hopelessly Deovted To You and Magic. The video album earned her a fourth Grammy and was aired as an ABC prime time special, Let's Get Physical, becoming a Top 10 Nielsen hit. The home video version, "Olivia Physical," reached No. 11 on the Billboard VHS Sales chart and No. 18 on the Billboard Video Rentals chart. (Although the video album is presently out of print, the videos are available on Newton-John's Video Gold 1 collection.)
The success of Physical prompted Newton-John to return to touring - her first since the release of her 1978 album Totally Hot
Totally Hot
Totally Hot is Olivia Newton-John's ninth US and tenth international studio album. Released in November 1978, it became her first solo Top 10 album since 1975's Have You Never Been Mellow...
. (Newton-John would not tour again until 1999.) In 2010, Universal Music Japan re-released the album with two additional tracks, Heart Attack and Tied Up, which were originally recorded for and released as singles from Newton-John's 1982 album, Olivia's Greatest Hits Vol. 2.
The album was also certified Gold in the UK.
Track listing
Side A- "Landslide" (John Farrar) – 4:21
- "Stranger's Touch" (Farrar, Steve KipnerSteve KipnerSteve Kipner is a multi-platinum-selling songwriter and record producer with hits spanning over a 40 year history, including chart-topping songs such as Olivia Newton-John's "Physical", Chicago's Grammy-nominated "Hard Habit to Break", "Genie In A Bottle" by Christina Aguilera, for which he won an...
) – 3:48 - "Make a Move on MeMake a Move on Me"Make A Move On Me" is a song recorded by Olivia Newton-John. The follow-up single to her huge U.S. #1 Hit Physical, it peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100...
" (Farrar, Tom SnowTom Snow (songwriter)Thomas Righter Snow is an American songwriter.He wrote songs for Joe Cocker with , Selena , Olivia Newton-John , Melissa Manchester , The Pointer Sisters , Barbra Streisand, Rita Coolidge Thomas Righter Snow is an American songwriter.He wrote songs for Joe Cocker ("Even a Fool Would Let Go", "Love...
) – 3:15 - "Falling" (Farrar) – 3:43
- "Love Make Me Strong" (Terry BrittenTerry BrittenTerry Britten is a prolific English singer-songwriter, who has written songs for Tina Turner and Sir Cliff Richard, Olivia Newton-John, Status Quo, Michael Jackson and many others.-Career:...
, Sue Shifrin) – 3:06
Side B
- "PhysicalPhysical (Olivia Newton-John song)"Physical" is a song by Australian pop singer Olivia Newton-John, released in September 1981. 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...
" (Steve Kipner, Terry Shaddick) – 3:44 - "Silvery Rain" (Hank MarvinHank MarvinHank Brian Marvin is an English guitarist, best known as the lead guitarist for The Shadows. The group, which primarily performed instrumentals, was formed as a backing band for vocalist Cliff Richard...
) – 3:38 - "Carried Away" (Barry GibbBarry GibbBarry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
, Albhy GalutenAlbhy GalutenAlbhy Galuten is a Grammy Award-winning American record producer, composer, musician, orchestrator and technology executive.He produced 18 number 1 singles with songs and albums selling over 100,000,000 copies...
) – 3:46 - "Recovery" (Farrar, Tom Snow) – 4:17
- "The Promise (The Dolphin Song)" (Olivia Newton-John) – 4:39
Personnel
- Olivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
: Vocals - Steve LukatherSteve LukatherSteve "Luke" Lukather is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger, and record producer best known for his work with the rock band Toto. Lukather has played with many artists, released several solo albums, and worked as a composer, arranger, and session guitarist on more than 1,500 albums...
: Guitar on "Physical", Acoustic Guitar on "Carried Away" - John Hobbs: Keyboards, Synthesizers
- Michael BoddickerMichael BoddickerMichael J. Boddicker , is an American film composer and session musician, specializing in electronic music. Three times N.A.R.A.S. Most Valuable Player "Synthesizer" and MVP Emeritus, he was awarded a Grammy as a songwriter for Imagination from Flashdance in 1984...
: Polymoog - Bill Cuomo: Synthesizer
- Tom SnowTom Snow (songwriter)Thomas Righter Snow is an American songwriter.He wrote songs for Joe Cocker with , Selena , Olivia Newton-John , Melissa Manchester , The Pointer Sisters , Barbra Streisand, Rita Coolidge Thomas Righter Snow is an American songwriter.He wrote songs for Joe Cocker ("Even a Fool Would Let Go", "Love...
: Prophet Synthesizer on "Make a Move on Me" and "Recovery", Piano on "Carried Away" - John FarrarJohn FarrarJohn Farrar is a music producer, songwriter, music arranger, singer and guitarist who is best known for his work with Olivia Newton-John with whom he wrote and produced many hit songs....
: Guitar, Vocoder, Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals - Carlos Vega: Drums & Timpani
- Lenny CastroLenny CastroLenny Castro is an American freelancing percussionist in the studio recording industry in the Los Angeles area.-Early life:Castro is a percussionist of Puerto Rican descent and was born and raised in New York City. His father, Hector Castro, played the keyboard in a Latin style and gave his son...
, Victor FeldmanVictor FeldmanVictor Stanley Feldman was a British jazz musician, best known as a pianist.-Early history:...
: Percussion - Gary Herbig: Horns
Credit
- Produced by John FarrarJohn FarrarJohn Farrar is a music producer, songwriter, music arranger, singer and guitarist who is best known for his work with Olivia Newton-John with whom he wrote and produced many hit songs....
& Steve Kipner - Engineered by William Bowden
- Recorded and Mixed by David J. Holman
- Mastered by Doug Sax & Mike Reese
- Photography by Herb RittsHerb RittsHerbert "Herb" Ritts was an American fashion photographer who concentrated on black-and-white photography and portraits, often in the style of classical Greek sculpture.-Early life and career:...
Charts
| Album Charts | Peak position |
|---|---|
| United States (Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... ) |
6 |
| Billboard Top R&B Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
32 |
| Australia (ARIA Charts ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... ) |
3 |
| United Kingdom (UK Album Charts) | 11 |
| Canada (Canadian Albums Chart Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... ) |
3 |
| New Zealand (RIANZ) | 8 |
| Japan (Oricon Charts) | 5 |