Physical Quotes

Context

This line is a lyric from the song "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John (from her album Physical, 1981).

Olivia Newton-John, who seems to be working at a gym a few years after starring in Grease, ogles body builders and torments overweight people who just want to sweat to the oldies in the video for her 1981 hit, "Physical."

We're getting mixed messages here, because it seems like her definition of "physical" is different depending on which group of men she's with… and it seems that the body builders only want to get physical with each other.

Where you've heard it

80s-style aerobics costumes are popular, and many are inspired by either this video or Jane Fonda's unrelated workout tapes.

Additional Notable References

• It was sampled in Elephant Man's song "Body Talk" feat. Kat deLuna.
• It's often used to actually talk about working out.
• And, of course, we love to make puns about it in our Shmoop materials. Let's get analytical.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

We don't think Olivia Newton-John is a licensed physical therapist. Her method of getting physical could be grounds for a lawsuit.