Before the tragic loss of Michael Hutchence and the subsequent rollercoaster of events, INXS stood as a monumental force in music: a band synonymous with hit singles and fronted by an electrifying performer. For enthusiasts of pure, unadulterated INXS magic, the golden era largely culminates around 1992’s Welcome to Wherever You Are. Venturing beyond this point reveals a band navigating evolving musical landscapes, but the true essence of INXS lies in their meticulously crafted singles. Forget obscure album tracks; INXS’s brilliance is distilled in songs engineered for radio airwaves, car stereos, and dance floors. Their greatest hits are self-evident, yet ranking these iconic Inxs Songs is a thrilling challenge. Let’s dive in.
15. Bitter Tears (1990)
“Bitter Tears,” the fourth single extracted from X, embodies a Rolling Stones-esque rock and soul fusion. Released in February 1991, it still possessed the signature INXS shimmer and groove. However, the commercial wave for the band was beginning to recede, evidenced by its more modest chart positions: No. 36 in Australia, No. 30 in the UK, and No. 46 in the US. Despite this, 1991 marked INXS at their live zenith. Months after its release, their legendary Wembley Stadium performance, captured on the Live Baby Live album, solidified their status as a phenomenal live act. “Bitter Tears,” while not their biggest hit, remains a testament to their enduring energy and stage presence during this period.
14. Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain) (1985)
“Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain),” the third single from Listen Like Thieves, underscores INXS’s masterful use of sonic space. The song’s dramatic opening, characterized by resonant, clanging chords followed by stark silence, immediately grabs attention. What unfolds is a lean and muscular rock track, maintaining tension throughout. Andrew Farriss’s keyboard melodies provide an uplifting counterpoint to Garry Gary Beers’s grounding basslines, which consistently pull the song back to earth. Only a brief, intense rave-up towards the song’s conclusion disrupts this captivating push and pull, showcasing the band’s dynamic interplay.
13. What You Need (1985)
The track that ignited INXS’s imperial phase, “What You Need,” ironically began as an afterthought. During the Listen Like Thieves recording sessions, producer Chris Thomas felt the album lacked a definitive international hit that Atlantic Records, their US label, craved. Andrew Farriss revisited demos and unearthed a groove initially titled “Funk Song No 13.” This demo evolved into “What You Need,” INXS’s breakthrough US hit. Tim Farriss’s hard funk guitar solo became a foundational element, foreshadowing the sonic direction of their seminal album Kick. This song marked a pivotal moment, propelling INXS into global stardom.
12. Disappear (1990)
The instantly recognizable “do-do-do doo-do-do” intro of “Disappear” feels timeless, almost pre-existing. It’s a melody so intuitively human that its simplicity alone could have carried the song to hit status. Hutchence’s vocal delivery in 1990 brought this innate tune to life. The rest of the song acts as complementary structure; even the churning chorus feels secondary to the initial melodic hook. “Disappear” beautifully captures the idyllic tranquility of being secluded with a loved one, daydreaming in blissful isolation.
11. I Send a Message (1984)
INXS’s fourth album, The Swing, aptly named for its transitional nature, served as a crucial hinge point in their career. It marked their evolution from a lean, new wave band towards a more polished fusion of pop, rock, and funk. The Swing was also undeniably danceable, yielding four singles. “I Send a Message,” the second of these singles, has endured despite its slightly dated elements, including Hutchence’s playful “Hey Timmeh!” shout-out to introduce Tim Farriss’s guitar solo. Kirk Pengilly’s saxophone work provides both melodic and textural depth, and the overall track radiates the band’s palpable enjoyment in their performance.
10. Beautiful Girl (1992)
“Beautiful Girl” represents INXS’s final moment of true brilliance, emerging from 1992’s Welcome to Wherever You Are. By this time, the grunge revolution spearheaded by Nirvana had reshaped the musical landscape, eclipsing many 80s superstars. INXS responded by exploring a harder rock sound. However, on “Beautiful Girl,” Andrew Farriss’s tender ballad dedicated to his newborn daughter, the band sounded authentically themselves. Despite being the fifth international single from the album, which likely hindered its chart performance, “Beautiful Girl”‘s comparatively lower chart success belies its status as one of INXS’s most cherished and enduring songs among fans.
9. Mystify (1987)
“Mystify,” the fifth and final single from the monumental Kick album, opens with finger-snaps accompanying Andrew Farriss’s driving piano chords. These confident snaps encapsulate the sheer assurance of a band at the zenith of their creative powers. Everything INXS attempted during this period seemed to work flawlessly, with each element contributing to an incredibly cohesive and tight musical unit. The song’s title later inspired Richard Lowenstein, a longtime collaborator of the band on music videos, for his acclaimed 2019 documentary biopic about Hutchence, further cementing its legacy within the INXS narrative.
8. New Sensation (1987)
Kick commences with “Guns in the Sky,” an unconventional opening track that serves as a prelude to the album’s true sonic identity revealed in “New Sensation.” This second track explodes with relentless, Prince-inspired funk riffs anchored by a powerful four-on-the-floor rhythm. More than just the song itself, “New Sensation” is a showcase for the singer. Hutchence embodies the quintessential rock star here, his vocals mixed prominently, commanding attention. The band, laser-focused on achieving chart dominance, wisely steps back, allowing Hutchence to take center stage and ignite the track with his charisma.
7. Suicide Blonde (1990)
Following the overwhelming success of Kick, INXS understandably adhered to a winning formula for their follow-up album, X. Released in late 1990, X largely replicated the Kick blueprint, albeit with diminishing creative returns. While their global dominance was nearing its end, INXS still held considerable sway. “Suicide Blonde,” the lead single from X, is a testament to their enduring ability to craft compelling rock anthems. The Rolling Stones themselves would have envied “Suicide Blonde,” with its distinctive honking harmonica intro and Hutchence’s fiery vocal performance. While the lyrics may be superficially grim, they subtly foreshadow the darkness that would later engulf Hutchence’s life. Garry Gary Beers’s driving bassline provides the song’s unwavering foundation.
6. By My Side (1990)
The lyrical content of “By My Side” stands out, with Hutchence confronting the paradoxical nature of fame: immense stardom juxtaposed with profound loneliness. Lines like “Rooms full of strangers / Some call me friends / But I wish you were so close to me” poignantly capture this dichotomy. Hutchence masterfully utilizes his lower vocal register, evoking the crooning style of Iggy Pop from The Idiot era. The chorus of this powerful piano ballad was tailor-made for massive stadium singalongs like Wembley. In essence, “By My Side” served as a spiritual successor to “Never Tear Us Apart,” and poignantly, both songs were played at Hutchence’s funeral, underscoring their deep emotional resonance.
5. Devil Inside (1988)
“Devil Inside,” with its guitar riff building upon Tim Farriss’s work in “What You Need,” represents both refinement and progression for INXS. While “What You Need” showcased Hutchence at his most assertive and confrontational, “Devil Inside” reveals a more nuanced approach. Here, Hutchence adopts a seductive restraint, drawing the listener in with a whisper rather than a shout. This subtlety proved incredibly effective, enhancing the song’s impact. Similarly, Farriss’s guitar solo is masterful in its economy and sultry tone, perfectly complementing the song’s overall atmosphere of restrained desire.
4. Don’t Change (1982)
Early INXS singles like “Just Keep Walking,” “Stay Young,” and “The One Thing” presented a hungry and energetic new wave band honed in the competitive Australian pub circuit. However, “Don’t Change” marked INXS’s arrival as a genuine anthem-creating force. The music video, while somewhat dated in its aesthetics, exudes youthful exuberance. The band is young and vibrant, and Hutchence, lithe and charismatic, showcases his signature blend of Jagger, Iggy Pop, and Jim Morrison-esque stage moves. “Don’t Change” became a staple encore performance throughout INXS’s career and has been covered by artists ranging from Green Day to Bruce Springsteen, though none have quite captured its original naive charm.
3. Original Sin (1983)
Following “Don’t Change,” “Original Sin” represented a quantum leap in sophistication for INXS. Produced by Chic legend Nile Rodgers, who amplified Garry Gary Beers’s bass to earth-shaking levels, “Original Sin,” the lead single from The Swing, announced INXS’s readiness for stadium stages. Andrew Farriss’s guitar work is central to the song’s dynamism, featuring sharp funk riffs and serrated counterpoints, best appreciated in the extended album version. Hutchence’s vocal performance is sublime, particularly during the song’s extended, jamming coda. His impassioned “Yeah-ahhhhh!” at the 4:30 mark stands as one of his most electrifying vocal moments, encapsulating the raw energy of INXS songs.
2. Need You Tonight (1987)
The iconic drums and percussion intro. The whispered invitation – “Come over here.” And then, that instantly recognizable, chopping guitar riff by Kirk Pengilly, perfectly complemented by a clipped funk lead from Andrew Farriss (a further evolution of “What You Need”). Underneath it all, the pulsating throb of Beers’s bass. Everything about “Need You Tonight” pulsates with raw desire; Hutchence’s vocal delivery is intensely carnal. INXS’s first and only No. 1 hit in the US and a No. 2 in the UK, “Need You Tonight” is, to borrow a phrase from another famously sensual singer, simply irresistible. It’s a quintessential example of what makes INXS songs so captivating.
1. Never Tear Us Apart (1987)
Choosing between “Never Tear Us Apart” and “Need You Tonight” for the top spot is a formidable task. However, as a masterclass in songwriting, “Never Tear Us Apart” stands as INXS’s ultimate achievement. A significant part of its monumental grandeur lies in its innovative arrangement. Originally conceived as a blues song, it was transformed into a Viennese waltz punctuated by dramatic pauses. Once again, INXS’s masterful command of sonic space is paramount. And within their impressive catalog, Hutchence delivers perhaps his greatest vocal performance: brimming with warmth and vulnerability, it’s a timeless love song destined for countless weddings and to endure for generations. This track epitomizes the enduring appeal of INXS songs.
