Best covers of INXS songs

Note – This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy via these, I may earn a small fee. This has absolutely no effect on the price you pay. As an eBay and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

One of the ways in which 80s and 90s music can be brought into more modern times is via cover versions of songs originally recorded by artists from that era. INXS, my favourite band of all time, is an example of an act whose music has been played live or even recorded by others for their own albums numerous times.

In fact there are far more covers of INXS songs out there than I realised. If you want to hear a Never Tear Us Apart cover you can take your pick, while someone very famous – a fellow Australian who was once very close to Michael Hutchence, no less – performed a live INXS Need You Tonight cover on her tour.

This list of 10 INXS hits features songs by INXS that have been covered by other artists, and there’s some big names here.

These are, for me, the best INXS song covers from other acts. Do you agree? If you have a favourite I’ve missed, please do let me know!

10 of the best covers of INXS songs

Paloma Faith – Never Tear Us Apart

Paloma Faith performed a Never Tear Us Apart cover at the BAFTAS (British Academy Film and Television Awards) in 2014. It was a captivating performance, her distinctive voice and the choir in the background creating real drama.

Kylie Minogue – Need You Tonight

Kylie paid her own tribute to her former lover on the Kiss Me Once tour in 2015. When she appeared on The Jonathan Ross Show that year she discussed the Need You Tonight cover, saying she felt that Michael was her ‘guardian angel’ during the tour.

Bruce Springsteen – Don’t Change

The Boss himself covered Don’t Change in Sydney in 2014. It was a polished and very professional performance, with all the buzz you’d expect from seeing a live show of this calibre. Hearing the lyrics sung out in Springsteen’s gravelly voice made for an interesting new take on this INXS classic.

Joe Cocker – Never Tear Us Apart

From one gravelly set of vocal chords to another. Joe Cocker also sang a cover of Never Tear Us Apart in 2002. Again, a superb performance from a seasoned pro and his brilliant band.

Was (Not Was) – Listen Like Thieves

I really like this cover – fabulous sax and a new, more dance-orientated take on the title track from INXS’s

Tina Turner – New Sensation

Tina Turner covered New Sensation back in 1990, some time before many of these other INXS covers appeared. Of course her powerful voice does it justice, giving it a more earthy and feminine feel than the original.

Tom Jones – Never Tear Us Apart

Yes, another Never Tear Us Apart cover! Few artists, it seems, can resist, once they’ve decided to pay tribute to INXS. This version was performed in 2012, though Jones had already recorded a version, sung with Natalie Imbruglia as a duet, for his earlier Reload album.

Goo Goo Dolls – Don’t Change

A solid cover of Don’t Change that’s pretty faithful to the original. I’d be very happy to be present in the crowd when this was being performed live. There are just enough subtle differences to make it the Goo Goo Dolls’ own take – which is just as it should be in my opinion!

Urselle – Suicide Blonde

Now this one really is what I call making a tune your own. It’s a jazz version of Suicide Blonde, sung in a sweet yet sultry style while the pianist tinkles the ivories as a soundtrack. There is of course plenty of sax too 😉

Snow Patrol – New Sensation

This is a decent, slowed-down and more acoustic version of New Sensation. Stripped-back would be a fitting description, I think. It’s one of those covers that really shows how different a (very) familiar tune can sound in good hands.

What do you think of these covers of INXS songs?

I’m really happy that such a great range of talented performers have offered their take on some of my favourite band’s finest tunes. Not least because it means the best music ever lives on.

If I had to see one live, I think it would have to be Bruce Springsteen, and it’s because I reckon the atmosphere would be just like that created by INXS themselves when playing Wembley in 1991. But then as a Brit, I am of course completely biased!

Marcy x

Note – This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy via these, I may earn a small fee. This does not affect the price you pay in any way. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Filed Under: INXS