AppleTV+’s series Physical started its second season on June 3rd. This dark comedy stars Rose Byrne as Sheila, a woman dealing with some serious internal conflicts. Her isolation and stand-offish personality has left aerobics as her only relief. And with the fast, fun beats of an 80’s aerobics class, no one can blame her.
Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” is making a surprise comeback from its original 1985 release because it was featured in season 4 of Stranger Things. The Physical soundtrack also features some of the most memorable hits from the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Who knows which gems from Physical’s chart-topping 1980’s soundtrack might be due for a reprise of their own?
“We Belong” by Pat Benatar - Episode 4
Danny demandingly clanking his spoon against his coffee mug begins the beat of this 1984 classic. And rather than getting him his refill, Sheila takes off and faces her old habits as “We Belong” continues to build. Filled with rage and shame, the chorus hits and Sheila delivers the camcorder that will be the start of the enterprise she’s dreamed of.
This song was released in 1984 as the lead single from her album Tropico. It peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned Pat Benatar a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. This song is an iconic ballad of its era.
“Drivin’ My Life Away” by Eddie Rabbitt - Episode 5
The episode opens at the beach with Bunny sitting in her van as the acoustic guitar picks up and she steps into the errands of her day. Eddie Rabbitt starts into his country-pop verses as Bunny exits the post office holding a letter. The song comes to a halting stop when Bunny opens a letter that she did not expect to get.
Eddie Rabbitt, Even Stevens, and David Malloy co-wrote this country music song that started Rabbitt’s success as a crossover artist into pop. This song was certified gold and peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980. In 1998 the country artist Rhett Akins gave it a reawakening when he covered it for the soundtrack to Black Dog.
"Hurdy Gurdy Man” by Donovan - Episode 1
After Danny gives Sheila a pep talk, she coolly walks down the hallway in slow motion to the definitive Donovan-style strumming of an acoustic guitar. She’s wrapped in the stunning sepia glow of the time and seductively approaching one of Danny’s students that’s smoking and dancing along to “Hurdy Gurdy Man” from their record player.
Though Donovan was a household name by 1981 (the year this episode was meant to take place) this single ended up being one of his biggest hits, taking him to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This song was unlike his usual folk sound. It was his psychedelic attempt at reaching a wider audience.
“Sweet Dreams” by Air Supply - Episode 5
Sheila takes off from an awkward dinner with Greta and Ernie with the excuse that Maya, her daughter, wasn’t feeling well. As she’s driving home after a long and secret stop, this ballad is playing on the car radio. Sheila is alternating between shame and wanting to be a better person when she locks eyes with Greta at a stop sign. The lyrics “close your eyes I want to ride the skies in my sweet dreams” are sung as Sheila hightails out of there.
The song “Sweet Dreams” is from Air Supply’s album, The One That You Love. It made international top 100 charts and peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. This song got this soft rock duo a lot of recognition in 1981.
"Point of No Return" by Expose - Episode 3
Sheila cues this cassette up in her boombox as she prepares an aerobic routine one night when sleeping just wasn’t on the agenda. Determined and riding the momentum, this song plays through a montage of steps she’s taking to get her act together and routine on point. She is clearly motivated to change her whole life.
Once the original release from 1984 was rerecorded in 1987 with Jeanette Jurado on lead vocals, it hit #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also managed to cross from the dance charts onto the pop charts. It was the first song Exposé recorded and made its round through clubs before winding up on this aerobics circuit.
“Harden My Heart” by Quarterflash - Episode 3
A screaming Maya wakes Danny up in the middle of the night and he realizes Sheila isn’t home. He sits up to tend to his daughter and, as he rubs the sleep out of his eyes, the saxophone intro begins to join the crying chorus. He comforts Maya, throws back his drink, and chokes back the tears as he begins to soak in the turn their lives have taken, and as if by narration, Rindy Ross belts out the lyrics, “I’m gonna turn and leave you here.”
“Harden My Heart” can be found on Quarterflash’s 1981 self-titled debut album. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982, and this still-popular track can be found in several other TV shows, movies, and video games.
"Hungry Like the Wolf” by Duran Duran - Episode 6
The unmistakable guitar riff begins as Sheila manipulates Danny into giving her the freedom she wants to get to the studio. As the song continues, Sheila basically challenges Bunny’s every move as they rehearse an aerobics routine together. As the words “hungry like a wolf” repeat, it is clear that Sheila has a predatory drive to get what she wants that can’t be stopped.
This was Duran Duran’s first single from the album Rio in 1982. By 1983 it peaked at the #3 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, and it is now thought of as one of their signature songs.
"Do It (’Til You’re Satisfied)” by BT Express - Episode 1
As wide as the panoramic view of surfers stretches across Greta’s view, so the extended funk jam of BT Express spreads. She marvels at the sun-soaked, dripping, half-naked young men as she enjoys her breakfast sandwich and the soulful beat continues. Sheila pops out of her car with Maya and snaps her out of her intent gaze as the song comes to an abrupt stop.
This pop song was a crossover hit for BT Express. Moving from #1 on the R&B singles chart to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, it also visited the disco and dance charts.
“We Got the Beat" by The Go-Go’s - Episode 6
Sheila closes her eyes in sheer frustration. The drums start. She is caught between the life she feels stuck in and the vision of all that is possible. The distinct bass line kicks in. Sheila is fully embracing the dream of what’s to come. The montage begins bouncing between Sheila and Danny. Sheila turns what would have been Danny’s new campaign space into a set for the aerobics videos. The song continues and Danny is out shaking hands and kissing babies.
This pop hit ultimately peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982. Originally a more punk-oriented band, this song brought them into the new wave genre.
“Gloria" by Laura Branigan - Episode 2
Bunny enthusiastically leads her aerobics class to this high-tempo hit. Full of energy and smiles, Bunny has the class hyped and shouting. Sheila, sneaks in, knowing full well she is not welcome, but is desperate to sweat away a cinnamon roll she just devoured with Greta. Bunny stops the tape and the class stops with it as she tells Sheila to leave.
This platinum-certified 1982 single made Laura Branigan a record-setting female artist. “Gloria” stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for 36 weeks and it peaked at #2. It was an international hit, making the charts in Canada, Germany, Australia, and Canada.