Youre the One That I Want

Song Meaning of You're The One That I Want by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John

When Danny Zuko (John Travolta) and Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John) sing You're the One That I Want on prom night in Grease, they express their pleasure and arousal at her transformation from upright and proper girl to sexy greaser. Originally, Sandy had been conflicted about her upright and proper etiquette in a school full of brash greasers, but she's determined to win back Danny by showing him that she can still be herself if she'shapes up'.

It's been 45 years since the release of Grease, and the film's composer John Farrar recently revealed some of the behind-the-scenes moments that went into the song's creation. He explained how, on the day that filming was due to begin for the movie's iconic 'good girl turned bad' closing scene, he was called into Olivia Newton-John's trailer at around six in the morning and played her the 'emergency song' that he'd written overnight.

Although the film's producers Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey may have intended it as a sort of 1950s parody, American audiences in the 1970s fell in love with the movie. They wanted an escape from the tumultuous times in which they lived, and Grease's happy-go-lucky depiction of a simpler time was just what the doctor ordered. This is one of the reasons that a dance mix of songs from the soundtrack became a hit in 1978.

You're The One That I Want lyrics by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John

I got chills, they're multiplyin'

And I'm losin' control

'Cause the power you're supplyin'

It's electrifyin'!

You better shape up, 'cause I need a man

And my heart is set on you

You better shape up, you better understand

To my heart I must be true

Nothing left, nothing left for me to do

You're the one that I want (You are the one I want)

Ooh ooh ooh, honey

The one that I want (You are the one I want)

Ooh ooh ooh, honey

The one that I want (You are the one I want)

Ooh ooh ooh

The one I need (The one I need)

Oh, yes, indeed (Yes, indeed)

If you're filled with affection

You're too shy to convey

Meditate in my direction

Feel your way

I better shape up, 'cause you need a man

I need a man who can keep me satisfied

I better shape up if I'm gonna prove

You better prove that my faith is justified

Are you sure?

'Cause (yes) I'm sure down deep inside

You're the one that I want (You are the one I want)

Ooh ooh ooh, honey

The one that I want (You are the one I want)

Ooh ooh ooh, honey

The one that I want (You are the one I want)

Ooh ooh ooh

The one I need (The one I need)

Oh, yes, indeed (Yes, indeed)

You're the one that I want (You are the one I want)

Ooh ooh ooh, honey

The one that I want (You are the one I want)

Ooh ooh ooh, honey

The one that I want (You are the one I want)

Ooh ooh ooh

The one I need (The one I need)

Oh, yes, indeed (Yes, indeed)

You're the one that I want (You are the one I want)

Ooh ooh ooh, honey

The one that I want (You are the one I want)

Ooh ooh ooh, honey

The one that I want (You are the one I want)

Ooh ooh ooh

The one I need (The one I need)

Oh, yes, indeed (Yes, indeed)