Editing Olivia Newton-John (section)

=== 1980–1988: ''Physical'', ''Soul Kiss'', and ''The Rumour'' ===
[[File:Royal Charity Concert 1980 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Newton-John meeting [[Queen Elizabeth II]] and [[Prince Philip]] at a Sydney concert in 1980; with her there are also [[Roger Woodward]] and [[Paul Hogan]] (in shorts)]]
Newton-John began 1980 by releasing "[[I Can't Help It (Andy Gibb song)|I Can't Help It]]" (No. 12 Pop, No. 8 AC), a duet with [[Andy Gibb]] from his ''[[After Dark (Andy Gibb album)|After Dark]]'' album, and by starring in her third television special, ''Hollywood Nights''. Later that year, she appeared in her first film since ''Grease'' when she starred with [[Gene Kelly]] and [[Michael Beck]] in the musical fantasy ''[[Xanadu (film)|Xanadu]]''. Although the film was a critical failure, [[Xanadu (soundtrack)|its soundtrack]] (No. 4 Pop) was certified double platinum and scored five top 20 singles on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="google4">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PgGqNrqfrsoC&q=%22olivia+newton%22&pg=PT499|title=The Billboard book of number 1 hits|isbn=9780823076772|access-date=13 August 2010|last1=Bronson|first1=Fred|year=2003|publisher=Billboard Books }}</ref> Newton-John charted with "[[Magic (Olivia Newton-John song)|Magic]]" (No. 1 Pop, No. 1 AC), "[[Suddenly (Xanadu song)|Suddenly]]" with [[Cliff Richard]] (No. 20 Pop, No. 4 AC) and the title song "[[Xanadu (Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra song)|Xanadu]]" with the [[Electric Light Orchestra]] (No. 8 Pop, No. 2 AC). [ELO also charted with "I'm Alive" (No. 16 Pop, No. 48 AC) and "All Over the World" (No. 13 Pop, No. 46 AC).]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.countryuniverse.net/2018/07/19/an-olivia-newton-john-retrospective-part-seven-1979-1980/ |title=An Olivia Newton-John Retrospective, Part Seven: 1979–1980 |website=Country Universe |date=19 July 2018 |access-date=2 March 2020}}</ref>

"Magic" was Newton-John's biggest pop hit to that point (four weeks at No. 1)<ref name="google4" /> and still ranks as the biggest AC hit of her career (five weeks at No. 1). The film ''Xanadu'' has since become a cult classic and the basis for a [[Xanadu (musical)|Broadway show]] that ran for more than 500 performances beginning in 2007 and was nominated for four [[Tony Awards]] including Best Musical.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/Xanadu-Moves-Up-Broadway-Closing-Date-to-928/broadway_news/571564|title=Xanadu Moves Up Broadway Closing Date to 9/28|publisher=Broadway.com|date=23 September 2008|access-date=10 November 2008}}</ref>

In 1981, Newton-John released her most successful studio album, the double platinum ''[[Physical (Olivia Newton-John album)|Physical]]'', which strongly reinforced her image change by showcasing risqué, rock-oriented material. Newton-John explained: "I just wasn't in the mood for tender ballads. I wanted peppy stuff because that's how I'm feeling."<ref name="PeoplePhysical">{{cite web |title=Olivia Gets Physical |url=https://people.com/archive/cover-story-olivia-gets-physical-vol-17-no-6/ |access-date=29 August 2019 |website=People}}</ref> Of the title cut, Newton-John said: "[[Roger Davies (manager)|Roger Davies]] was my manager at the time; he played it for me and I knew it was a very catchy song."<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/music/2017/04/13/olivia-newton-john-physical-interview/|title=What Made Olivia Newton-John 'Horrified' About 'Physical'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|language=en|access-date=6 September 2019}}</ref> [[Physical (Olivia Newton-John song)|The title track]], written by [[Steve Kipner]] and Terry Shaddick, spent ten weeks atop the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="people1">{{cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/cover-story-olivia-gets-physical-vol-17-no-6/|title=Olivia Gets Physical|website=People|first=Carl|last=Arrington|date=15 February 1982|access-date=10 November 2008}}</ref> This matched the record at that time held by [[Debby Boone]]'s "[[You Light Up My Life (song)|You Light Up My Life]]" for most weeks spent at No. 1 on the Hot 100. 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.)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top100-titles-10.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913205945/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top100-titles-10.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 September 2008|title=Billboard Hot 100 Chat 50th Anniversary – All-Time Top Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=10 November 2008}}</ref>

"Physical" earned Newton-John her only placement ever on the R&B Singles (No. 28) and Albums (No. 32) charts. The ''Physical'' album spawned two more singles, "[[Make a Move on Me]]" (No. 5 Pop, No. 6 AC)<ref name="google5">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PgGqNrqfrsoC&q=%22olivia+newton%22&pg=PT499 |title=The Billboard book of number 1 hits|isbn=9780823076772|access-date=13 August 2010|last1=Bronson|first1=Fred|year=2003|publisher=Billboard Books }}</ref> and "Landslide" (No. 52 Pop).<ref>{{cite web |title=Landslide – Chart |url=https://billboard.elpee.jp/single/Landslide/Olivia%20Newton-John/ |website=Billboard Database |access-date=11 August 2022}}</ref>
[[File:Olivia Newton-John 1988b.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.81|Newton-John at the opening of a Koala Blue store in 1988]]
The provocative lyrics of the "Physical" title track prompted two [[Utah]] radio stations to ban the single from their playlists.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Cannon|first=Bob|url=https://ew.com/article/1993/11/19/olivia-gets-physical/|title=Olivia Gets 'Physical'|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=19 November 1993|access-date=13 August 2010|archive-date=8 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908020736/http://www.ew.com/article/1993/11/19/olivia-gets-physical|url-status=dead}}</ref> (In 2010, [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'' magazine]] ranked this as the most popular single ever about sex.)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61B5H620100213|work=Reuters|title=Olivia Newton-John's "Physical" sexiest song ever|date=13 February 2010}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top50-no1s-80s.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908202615/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top50-no1s-80s.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 September 2008|title=Billboard Hot 100 Chart 50th Anniversary – Songs of the Year 1980 to 1989|magazine=Billboard|access-date=10 November 2008}}</ref>

She helped pioneer the music video industry by recording a [[Olivia Physical|video album]] for ''Physical'', featuring videos of all the album's tracks and three of her older hits. The video album earned her a fourth Grammy and was aired as an ABC prime-time special, ''Let's Get Physical'',<ref name="people1" /> becoming a top-10 [[Nielsen ratings|Nielsen]] hit. Newton-John asserted: "Like everyone, I've got different sides of my personality. I've my dominant self, my need-to-be-dominated self, the sane Olivia and the crazy Olivia. Playing these different characters gave me a chance to show strange parts people haven't seen much."<ref name="PeoplePhysical" />

The success of ''Physical'' led to an international tour and the release of her second hits collection, the double-platinum ''[[Olivia's Greatest Hits Vol. 2]]'' (No. 16 Pop), which yielded two more top-40 singles: "[[Heart Attack (Olivia Newton-John song)|Heart Attack]]" (No. 3 Pop)<ref name="google5" /> and "Tied Up" (No. 38 Pop). The tour was filmed for her ''Olivia in Concert'' television special, which premiered on [[HBO]] in January 1983. The special was subsequently released to video, earning Newton-John another Grammy nomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/olivia-newton-john |title=26th Annual Grammy Awards 1983, Nominations, Best Video Album, Olivia in Concert (Video) |website=Recording Academy Grammy Awards |access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref>

Newton-John reteamed with Travolta in 1983 for the critically and commercially unsuccessful movie ''[[Two of a Kind (1983 film)|Two of a Kind]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://people.com/archive/cover-story-animal-magnetism-vol-20-no-25/|title=Animal Magnetism|website=People|first=Carl|last=Arrington|date=19 October 1983|access-date=10 November 2008}}</ref> redeemed by its platinum soundtrack (No. 26 Pop) featuring "[[Twist of Fate (Olivia Newton-John song)|Twist of Fate]]" (No. 5 Pop),<ref name="google5" /> "[[Livin' in Desperate Times]]" (No. 31 Pop), and a new duet with Travolta, "[[Take a Chance (Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta song)|Take a Chance]]" (No. 3 AC). Newton-John released another video package, the Grammy-nominated ''Twist of Fate'', featuring videos of her four songs on the ''Two of a Kind'' soundtrack and the two new singles from ''Olivia's Greatest Hits Vol. 2''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/olivia-newton-john |title=27th Annual Grammy Awards 1984, Nominations, Best Video, Twist of Fate (Video) |website=Recording Academy Grammy Awards |access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref>

That same year Newton-John and Pat Farrar (formerly Pat Carroll) founded Koala Blue.<ref name="koala" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1987-04-13/features/8701240363_1_koala-blue-pat-farrar-olivia-newton-john|title=Olivia Newton-John: Hopelessly Devoted|website=Sun-Sentinel|date=13 April 1987|access-date=31 December 2011|archive-date=30 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630170216/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1987-04-13/features/8701240363_1_koala-blue-pat-farrar-olivia-newton-john|url-status=dead}}</ref> The store, originally for Australian imports, evolved into a chain of women's clothing boutiques.<ref name="koala" /> The chain was initially successful, but it eventually declared bankruptcy and closed in 1992.<ref name="koala">{{cite magazine|last=Maier|first=Anne|date=19 August 1991|title=Losing Their Shirts with Olivia|url=http://people.com/archive/losing-their-shirts-with-olivia-vol-36-no-6|magazine=People|volume=36|issue=6|access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Olivia, Environmental Heartache - New Idea |url=https://www.onlyolivia.com/memorabilia/presscut/90s/91-04-06-au-new_idea-01.html |access-date=2 December 2023 |website=www.onlyolivia.com}}</ref> Newton-John and Farrar were the targets of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit when Koala Blue franchise holders alleged breach of contract and unfair competition; agreeing with a motion citing insufficient evidence, a judge dismissed the case on summary judgment in 1993.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Suit against Newton-John thrown out – UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/10/04/Suit-against-Newton-John-thrown-out/6105749707200/ |access-date=13 March 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> Newton-John and Farrar later licensed the brand name for a line of Australian wines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Winemagazine |url=https://www.onlyolivia.com/memorabilia/presscut/00s/02-06-01-au-winemagazine-1.html |access-date=13 March 2023 |website=www.onlyolivia.com}}</ref>

[[File:Olivia Newton John (2084572536) (cropped 2).jpg|thumb|upright|Newton-John at the 1989 [[Academy Awards]]]]
Newton-John, a supporter of [[Australian rules football]] [[Carlton Football Club|Carlton]], performed the [[Advance Australia Fair|Australian national anthem]] at the [[1986 VFL Grand Final]] between Carlton and [[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawthorn]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Beveridge|first1=Riley|title=Your AFL club's most famous supporters, from Barack Obama to Cam Newton|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/your-afl-clubs-most-famous-supporters-from-barack-obama-to-cam-newton/news-story/03eb54659866d587cf9c2cc4b9f3d8c5|work=[[Fox Sports]]|date=29 January 2016|access-date=29 January 2016}}</ref>

Newton-John's music career cooled again with the release of her next studio album, the gold<ref name="soulkiss-gold">{{cite web |title=Gold & Platinum {{ndash}} SOUL KISS |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Olivia+Newton-John&ti=Soul+Kiss&format=Album&type=# |website=RIAA |access-date=14 August 2022}}</ref> ''[[Soul Kiss]]'' (No. 29 Pop),<ref name="soulkiss-billboard200">{{cite web |title=Billboard 200 {{ndash}} Week of 23 November 1985 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1985-11-20/ |work=[[Billboard charts|Billboard]] |access-date=14 August 2022}}</ref> in 1985.<ref name="soulkiss-allmusic">{{cite web |title=Olivia Newton-John – Soul Kiss |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/soul-kiss-mw0000191196 |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=14 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The album's only charted single was the title track (No. 20 Pop, No. 20 AC).<ref name="soulkiss-allmusic"/> The video album for ''Soul Kiss'' featured only five of the album's ten tracks (concept videos for the album's singles "Soul Kiss" and "Toughen Up" as well as performance videos of the tracks "Culture Shock", "Emotional Tangle" and "The Right Moment").<ref name="soulkiss-video">{{cite web |title=Olivia Newton-John – Soul Kiss [Video] |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/soul-kiss-video--mw0001070246?1660504852697 |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=14 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

After a nearly three-year hiatus following the birth of her daughter Chloe in January 1986, Newton-John resumed her recording career with the 1988 album ''[[The Rumour (album)|The Rumour]]''. The album was promoted by an HBO special, ''Olivia Down Under''. Its first single, the title track, was written and produced by [[Elton John]]. Both the single (No. 62 Pop, No. 33 AC) and the album (No. 67 Pop) faltered commercially<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CieMGEblw6kC&q=%22olivia+newton%22&pg=PT225|title=His Song: The Musical Journey of...|isbn=9780823088928|access-date=13 August 2010|last1=Rosenthal|first1=Elizabeth J.|date=March 2004|publisher=Watson-Guptill Publications, Incorporated }}</ref> as the nearly 40-year-old Newton-John seemed "old" when compared with the teen queens [[Debbie Gibson]] and [[Tiffany Darwish|Tiffany]] ruling the pop charts at that time. (The album was praised by critics as more mature, with Newton-John addressing topics such as [[HIV/AIDS|AIDS]] ("Love and Let Live"), the environment and single-parent households.)<ref name="Eddy1997">{{cite book |last1=Eddy |first1=Chuck |title=The Accidental Evolution Of Rock'n'roll: A Misguided Tour Through Popular Music |date=1997 |publisher=Hachette Books |isbn=978-0-306-80741-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N0488R7-hYUC&q=%22AIDS%20and%20ecosystem%22}}</ref>

The second single, "Can't We Talk It Over in Bed", did not chart, but was released in 1989 by [[Grayson Hugh]], the song's arranger, and became a top-20 pop hit as "Talk It Over".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mann |first1=Brent |title=99 red balloons: and 100 all-time great one-hit wonders |date=2003 |publisher=[[Citadel Press]] |location=New York City |isbn=9780806525167 |page=60 |url={{Google books|id=a2WgP8q0KNIC|page=PA60|plainurl=yes}}}}</ref>