Customer Reviews
Physical is one of my phavorites
The title track may seem a bit goofy, and it was overplayed in the early 80s, but the album as a whole is really good. Most ONJ fans, myself included, rank Physical as one of Olivia's best releases. The uptempo songs are full of energy and there's a fire in her voice, and the ballads are soulful and her voice is extremely genuine in tone and timbre. An outstanding CD from beginning to end. If you're looking for an Olivia CD beyond a greatest hits compiliation, this is a very good one to check out. "Landslide" and "Make A Move On Me" are two of my favorites from her entire repertoire. Other standout tracks include "Love Make Me Strong," "Silvery Rain," "Promise," and the well-known title track, "Physical. ".
what a great album this is ...hearing it for the first time in 2006
All I have to say . . my god Falling and the dolphin song and silver rain I never heard such a beautiful sad bone chilling songs like that. Olivia's voice is so awesome I can't even tell you. She had . . . I think had. . . the best voice ever. . . Her vibrato and her pitch and phrasing and the arrangement is other worldly. I love the moog like solo in the middle of falling. When you look at her and hear that voice I want to melt into oblivion. WHERE CAN I FIND MY OWN OLIVIA DOES SHE EXIST. . . I NEED THAT FOR REAL. . . BY THE WAY I LOVED HER SINCE YOU GUESSED IT 1978. . BUT LET HER GO AFTER XANADU. . . . ALONG CAME KATE BUSH AND WELL WELCOME BACK OLIVIA IM FINALLY GOING TO GET ALL YOUR MUSIC. I NEED IT ALL. . . UPDATE 3/30/07 THEN ALONG CAME DUSTY. . . WOW.
ONJ...you made this man aware...this person care...you did what you promised!
Landslide- Great way to open an album with a bang! Awesome rock song. . love the "heaven" bridge in the middle. . . beautiful harmonies! Too bad this song was single #3 off the "Physical" album. . . I feel the melody was too complicated for the commercial audiences to appreciate at the time. . . hence, the poor chart placing. . . not to mention possible radio overkill of her two previous singles and maybe everyone was too "physical-ed" out to give this song a chance!
Stranger's Touch- ooh yeah! The slinky verses have ONJ oozing with seduction and the chorus packs a punch! This should have definately been a single! Very commercial, pop appeal. . .
Make A Move On Me- a solid pop song for single #2 off the album. . . possible over-kill with the synthesisers though! But it was the 80s so I'll give this song a break! This sounds like something off Madonna's debut album. . . even though this album came out before that! ONJ truly was a torchbearer for strong, female solo artists. . . songs like this give her credit
Falling- hmm. . . I think I lost count of the times the word "falling" is mentioned in this song?! Every single line of this song seems to end with the word "falling"!? I think this ballad is just OK. . . a bit too theatrical. . . sounds like some Broadway musical ballad. . . not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing, yet. . .
Love Make Me Strong- um. . . . the beat is awesome! I'm trying to find nice things to say about this song. . . it is decent filler for an 80s album. . .
Physical- this video of this song infamous for spawning 80s fashion-fitness trends like legwarmers and headbands. . . I actually skip this song a lot. . . not because it is a bad song. . . but it has been played to death so much. . . it is definately catchy though. . .
Silvery Rain- it took me a while to get into this song. . . which is quite unique! With sweet acoustic verses that then burst into an angry, loud chorus. . . this song makes reference to that nursery rhyme "Fly away Peter, Fly away Paul" and is actually an anti-crop dusting song. . . has to be heard to be believed. . . I think the last note ONJ holds on this song is the longest note she has ever held in tune! Impressive. . .
Carried Away- this song is a typical, BeeGees, paint-by-numbers song. . . and I mean that in a good way! You can tell it was written by The BeeGees. . . it has the type of melodies and hooks they write. . . probably the best ballad on the album. . . a very dreamy song with lush arrangements that ONJ pulls off well
Recovery- such an overlooked song! This has to be one of my favourite ONJ songs ever! A beautiful, long intro with a Spanish/Tropical feel. . . even though the song sounds quite peppy, the lyrics are quite nihilistic which is a great juxtaposition. . . the chorus is basically a duet with John Farrar because his voice is featured heavily kind of "duelling" with ONJ's. . . the final chorus is just incredible! The way ONJ harmonises. . . with herself! This is such a layered song. . . I can listen to it over and over. . . you hear different things every time you listen! The album highlight!
The Promise (The Dolphin Song)- I think it is very cute how the dolphins and the Miami ocean are given instrumental credit on the linear notes to this song! This sounds like a "New Age" song with all the water sounds and dolphin squeaks. . . I only wish the chorus was featured more. . . it seems to go verse, verse, chorus, verse. . . and that's it?! The chorus where ONJ sings "Then I'll have done what I promised you" is extremely soothing and beautiful. . . a very classy song.
. You can see a complete list of all Olivia Newton-John discography, or go back to the Olivia Newton-John tabs
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