Physical

Dua Lipa released "Physical" on January 31, 2020 as the second single from her album Future Nostalgia. The track serves as a direct homage to 1980s pop culture, specifically drawing inspiration from Olivia Newton-John's 1981 hit and the soundtrack of the film Flashdance. Co-written by Lipa alongside Jason Evigan, Clarence Coffee Jr., and Sarah Hudson, the song blends chugging basslines with driving drums and a distinctive Persian flute synth sample. This production creates an uptempo power pop sound that bridges retro aesthetics with modern techniques.

Critics praised the infectious rhythm and Lipa's vocal performance which shifts seamlessly between spoken-word sections and powerful belting. Reviewers noted the kinetic joy captured in the track even before global lockdowns were fully implemented. The song was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2021. While it did not win that award, it took home the MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography later that year.

The official music video directed by Dave Meyers features Lipa in vibrant aerobics-inspired outfits performing choreographed routines in neon-lit gym settings. This visual style reinforces the thematic connection to the decade's fitness craze. An additional official visualizer featuring Troye Sivan also exists. Culturally the song sparked interest in 1980s fitness fashion and influenced social media challenges despite being unrelated to the Apple TV+ series Physical which shares its name. [edit]