Physical music video by Olivia Newton-John

Even before she made the role of Sandy in Grease (1978) iconic, with a soundtrack that became one of the best-selling in history, Olivia Newton-John had achieved international fame with her 1974 and 1975 albums, If You Love Me, Let Me Know and Have You Never Been Mellow. Newton-John's success peaked with the release of ‘Physical’ and this music video. A bold, catchy track that redefined her image and left a lasting mark on pop culture, the video – set in a gym and featuring Olivia in a leotard, spandex and a headband – became a symbol of the decade and ignited a global fitness and fashion trend.

MTV began in the US the same year, a sign that music videos were becoming as influential as the songs they showcased. ‘Physical’ was a visual hit, with a cheeky video that put a different spin on the meaning of the title. The song's sexually suggestive lyrics defied Newton-John's clean-cut image, but the risk paid off. The song spent 10 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard chart, becoming the top-selling single of the 1980s. 'Physical' helped bring the look and energy of aerobics into mainstream music and style. The groundbreaking music video earned Olivia a Grammy and secured her legacy as a pop icon.