Devil Inside – INXS | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#2 for 2 weeks); 1988
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
In 1972 12 year old Michael Hutchence befriended Andrew Farriss, who was already dreaming of a career in rock music. A few years passed before Michael joined Andrew in his musical endeavors as part of the Farriss Brothers.
Three years later, in 1979, INXS – a variation on a roadie’s suggestion that they call the band “In Excess” – debuted in Toukley, Australia. Several singles and albums later, the sextet set their sights on America.
The spring of 1983 found them at #30 with The One Thing. 1985’s #5 hit What You Need, recorded in Michael’s birth city of Hong Kong, broke INXS wide open, followed by Kick, the group’s multi-platinum selling sixth album,. Need You Tonight charged to #1 followed by Devil Inside – written by Andy and Michael – then New Sensation (#3) and Never Tear Us Apart (#7), all from Kick and all in 1988.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Chris Thomas
Lyrics Written by:
- Andrew Farriss
- Michael Hutchence
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).