Best INXS lyrics | My countdown from 10 to 1

I’ve already written about my favourite INXS songs overall (and also must point out that in reality the list changes daily), but now I’m bringing INXS lyrics into sharper focus. Of course it’s all about the music – yet song words can really strike a chord with an individual, thus placing that song higher in their estimation than it may have been based solely on the instrumental part.

Besides, from a personal point of view, words are just my thing. I write for a living and as a hobby. When I’m not doing that, I’ll often be found reading a book. If anyone asked how to learn to write well, I’d simply say ‘read, read and read some more’.

That was certainly a tenet that our dearly departed Michael Hutchence lived his life by. His love of literature was well known, and no doubt inspired many of the lyrics he wrote.

His poetic lyrics are the inspiration for this post. The lyrics for Need You Tonight by INXS are probably the most famous, but making wine from tears and knowing why we have wings aside, there are plenty of other gems to discover too.

These are, for me, the best lyrics INXS ever came up with – from their entire catalogue. Feel free to disagree: it’s a personal opinion. (I’m sure if I re-read this in just a few days time I’ll want to alter it in some way myself as my opinions shift around all the time.)

My top 10 INXS lyrics

10. INXS Not Enough Time lyrics

1992, Welcome To Wherever You Are

Songwriters: Andrew Farriss & Michael Hutchence

Though Michael Hutchence didn’t write all the lyrics for the Welcome To Wherever You Are album, thankfully he did contribute to this and thus we didn’t miss out. It’s such an emotive song, especially when taken in the context of what happened to its writer. So sorely missed.

‘Not enough time for every kiss
Not enough time for all my love
Not enough time for every touch’

9. INXS New Sensation lyrics

1987, Kick

Songwriters: Andrew Farriss & Michael Hutchence

This is not one of my top ten INXS tracks musically, though of course I have a lot of love for it. The lyrics in particular. I adore the God-like sun line, and whether intentional or not it has echoes of pagan sun-worship. Glorious.

‘And the sun comes like a God
Into our room
All perfect light and promises’

8. INXS Dancing on the Jetty lyrics

1984, The Swing

Songwriters: Andrew Farriss & Michael Hutchence

Michael of course used to wear a top on stage with ‘watch the world argue’ emblazoned across his (magnificent) chest. These words are still so apt today, just as they have been many times since the track from The Swing was released in 1984.

‘Watch the world argue
Argue with itself
Who’s going to teach me
Peace and happiness’

7. INXS The Stairs lyrics

1990, X

Songwriters: Andrew Farriss & Michael Hutchence

One of the band’s finest tracks from what is, for me, their best studio album. I love the narrative – everyone doing pretty much the same stuff within their own set of walls, only passing one another in the street or on the stairs. A bit of a sad reflection on humanity where this is true, really.

‘Though all are different, all are great’

6. INXS Devil Inside lyrics

1987, Kick

Songwriters: Andrew Farriss & Michael Hutchence

It’s one line in particular that earns this track from Kick a place on this list. A very powerful lyric – and very apt now the world is finally waking up to the importance of mental health. I totally agree that words can inflict more pain than even a knife wound. They also have such power to educate, entertain and connect people.

‘Words as weapons
Sharper than knives’

5. INXS Original Sin lyrics

1984, The Swing

Songwriters: Andrew Farriss & Michael Hutchence

Reaching number one in Australia and enjoying considerable chart success elsewhere, this track was one that catapulted INXS to worldwide fame. It was produced by Nile Rodgers. Apparently Kirk once asked Michael what the lyrics really meant, and he’d give a different answer each time. I love that! Take it however you will.

‘Then wake up to a brand new day
To find your dreams are washed away’

4. INXS Kiss The Dirt lyrics

1985, Listen Like Thieves

Songwriters: Andrew Farriss & Michael Hutchence

There’s something really primal and raw about these lyrics that really appeals to me. Poetic too. To paraphrase – watering seeds of doubt with your tears, kissing and telling fears, losing minds in the night… So darn sensual.

‘We find the seeds of fun
And we scream like alleycats
Tearing down what we attack
To prove that we are one’

3. INXS Elegantly Wasted lyrics

1997, Elegantly Wasted

Songwriters: Andrew Farriss & Michael Hutchence

This one has to be high on the list because I so hope that this really was written in revenge. Michael was called a has-been by Noel Gallagher, and reportedly retaliated by penning this to sound like ‘better than Oasis’. Or is that what he really sang, both live and in the recording studio?

‘Ah, Elegantly wasted
Ah, Elegantly wasted’

2. INXS Never Tear Us Apart lyrics

1987, Kick

Songwriters: Andrew Farriss & Michael Hutchence

This is the most obvious one. When browsing INXS merch – which I do rather a lot – I see so many t-shirts, posters and other items quoting this song. Don’t we all wish he’d written these lyrics especially for us?

‘I was standing
You were there
Two worlds collided
And they could never tear us apart’

1. INXS Mystify lyrics

1987, Kick

Songwriters: Andrew Farriss & Michael Hutchence

Of all INXS lyrics, this one tops the charts for me. From beginning to end it’s packed with poetic lines. To paraphrase our deal Michael – misty blue streets, looks that chill, silken moments, twisted perfection, kissing stars… it’s simply heavenly.

‘All veils and misty
Streets of blue
Almond looks
That chill divine’

Which are the best INXS lyrics for you?

What do you make of my pick from all the fabulous lyrics written by members of INXS? For me, creating this countdown has really highlighted what a poet Michael Hutchence was. My, how we all miss him. So much.

Marcy x

Related posts:

• INXS Discography
• Why we must Induct INXS
• Best song covers by INXS
• My top 10 INXS tunes
• Best covers of INXS tracks

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