INXS X Songs | Ranked from 11 to 1

This countdown of INXS X songs ranks every track on the band’s turn-of-the-decade album. Released in 1990, X followed hot on the heels of the mega-selling Kick. It was a tough one to beat, and the band didn’t quite manage to replicate their earlier success.

That said, X is my personal favourite of all the INXS studio albums. Though it has one less track than Kick, the guys were kept just as busy in terms of songwriting, as The Loved One from Kick is a cover. They branched out here a little, too, with a Farriss brother other than Andrew co-writing one of the album’s biggest hits alongside Michael Hutchence.

Do note that this is my personal perspective – and in fact is subject to change anyway. If I wrote this post on a different day, then no doubt the order would be slightly altered. That’s just the way it is.

I’d love to know what you think, so please do comment here, or on social media, if you’d like to share your own countdown, number one or thoughts. Put it this way: if anyone’s rankings mirrored mine exactly, then I’d be very surprised indeed!

Here’s all the INXS X album songs, ranked from 11 to 1. Before that, though, here’s the order in which they actually appear on the LP.

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INXS X Tracklist

1. Suicide Blonde
2. Disappear
3. The Stairs
4. Faith In Each Other
5. By My Side
6. Lately
7. Who Pays The Price
8. Know The Difference
9. Bitter Tears
10. On My Way
11. Hear That Sound

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11 INXS X Songs Ranked

11. On My Way

Best line: “Love don’t abuse it | And you’ll never be sad again”

I like On My Way, but something has to be placed last. This track does have particular resonance for me at the present time, having recently come out of one relationship and into another. Though in my experience the premise is a little unrealistic, it would be nice if we really could never feel sadness again once we’re truly loved. (And lusted after, judging by the lyrics, but would you expect any less from Andrew and Michael?)

10. Who Pays The Price

Best line: “Who pays the price | If you want more”

I love the growling as Hutchence sings “it brings you down’ on this one. A perfect example of how his voice can transcend from silky smooth to something more animalistic. I love Charlie Musselwhite’s harmonica on this one, too – or Andrew Farriss’s when they played it live.

The idea of people always wanting more reflects Western capitalist society very well. Yet in many cases, they’re still never satisfied. And indeed, who does pay the price for our greed? The next generation? The planet? The poor – or all three? I do love a song that can make you think.

9. Hear That Sound

Best line: “Use your imagination | To start a fire”

Hear That Sound is another INXS track with a message to convey. Can we find our inner voices to push for the changes that would mean so much to us? “The realisation of the new way” sounds almost biblical, harking back to the days when INXS seriously considered becoming a Christian rock band.

8. Faith In Each Other

Best line: “It’s all in the choices | That you have to make”

Let’s face it, a lot of things that happen in our lives come down to the choices we make. Some are monumental, while others concern everyday things. Either way, every decision we take can have a huge impact on ourselves, and others.

You do indeed need to have faith in one another, though. Otherwise, what else have we got?

7. Know The Difference

Best line: “Sweet perfume trails behind |The impression is on my mind”

I love the above line from this song – it’s typical of Michael’s poetry, and romantic outlook on life. The lyrics about rising above the guy who deserves to be left on his ass are also pretty cool. This makes me think of Michael lusting after his next conquest – such as before getting together with Helena Christensen. Is he finding genuine reasons for the subject of the song to leave her current squeeze, though, or is it merely wishful thinking?

6. Bitter Tears

Best line: “Lips are tremblin’ | ‘Cause you’re gonna be free”

Breaking away from something that’s destructive is always tough (as I know based on recent experience). But the exciting prospect of finally being free is so worth it. If you’re ready to “push away those bitter tears”, then do have faith. If you feel it deep down inside, then “the time is (indeed) right to kill your fears”.

5. Suicide Blonde

Best line: “She stripped to the beat but her clothes stay on | White light everywhere but you can’t see a thing”

Lucky Kylie Minogue. Not only did she get to date rock’s hottest property as the 80s morphed into the 90s, but she also had a song written about her. “This is a song… about…” as Michael announced live at Wembley in 1991. Did she indeed know that it would end, though, right from the start? She was certainly heartbroken when it happened.

In fact I’m going to stick my neck out here by saying something. I reckon the reason Kylie’s relationships are always doomed is because Michael casts a shadow over all of them. No one will ever measure up to the love of her life. How many women feel that way about him, I wonder? (Me, me!!!)

4. The Stairs

Best line: “Though all are different | All are great”

It was so hard to pick out a favourite line from this track, as it’s packed with great lyrics. Words are my thing, which is one of the reasons why The Stairs is one of my favourite tracks from X.

The irony of their tragedy being chained around the protagonist’s neck isn’t lost on anyone, either. As his brother Rhett says in his book Total Excess, he probably thought he was “doing no wrong” (paraphrasing a line from Bitter Tears).

3. Lately

Best line: “Your blue sky calls | To seduce and bewitch | And give you the wings of your fate”

Lately is my favourite track from X that wasn’t released as a single. This was absolutely first class when performed live at Wembley, with an epic sax solo from Kirk Pengilly. In fact I always think of this as the “saxophone’s lament”. If Kirk could have managed it, this would have made a very fitting tribute to Michael if it had been played at his funeral at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney.

Then of course, at Wembley, Tim comes on in his Jesus t-shirt, strutting his stuff on the guitar. Another classic moment from the best gig of all time – and the cheekiest member of INXS!

2. Disappear

Best line: “Making spells as the shadows close in | Fall across all our yesterdays”

This song is pure joy – thank you Jon Farriss, for sticking to your guns and getting this one onto X. The lyrics speak of true love, too. It’s amazing when spending time with someone can make all your problems – and the world’s – seem to fade away. Most of us could do with at least a little of that in our lives. If you have it, then you are one of the lucky ones.

1. By My Side

Best line: “In the dark of night | Those small hours | I drift away | When I’m with you”

Let it be said, right here and now, that I want this played at my funeral. I’d like to record that here, as I’m not sure that any of my friends and family have been listening; they tend to drift off when I drone on about INXS! (Anyway, they can play the wonderful Never Tear Us Apart too if they want to, I won’t mind.)

Anyone who thinks Michael Hutchence was just a shallow rock God should just watch him performing this track at Wembley. Utterly heartfelt and completely compelling. I’m not even into ballads, really, but this is so subtle and understated. As well as unashamedly passionate, of course.

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How would you rank the 11 INXS X Songs?

It was really difficult to place the 11 tracks from X in order of preference. They all have their merits, and for me this was a very fine follow-up to Kick indeed. I don’t skip any of these – from a personal point of view, this is as close to perfection as any studio album (by any band, anywhere, at any time) has ever got.

Marcy x

Related posts:

• INXS Live at Wembley songs ranked from 22 to 1
• INXS Kick tracks countdown from 12 to 1
• INXS live at Wembley concert review
• INXS album covers countdown
• 10 to 1 INXS albums ranked
• INXS Discography

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