Need You Tonight – INXS | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#1); 1988
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
The genesis of INXS dates back to 1972 when 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” – stepped into the spotlight at the Oceanview Hotel in Toukley, Australia.
With several singles and albums under their belt, the sextet set their sights on America, making their chart debut in the spring of 1983 with The One Thing and appearing at the second US Festival in May.
1985’s #5 hit What You Need, recorded in Michael’s birth city of Hong Kong, broke INXS wide open, and paved the way for their multi-platinum selling sixth album, Kick.
Need You Tonight charged to #1 followed by three more Top 10 from Kick before 1988 came to a close. Michael dove deeper and deeper into the high life, committing suicide on November 22, 1997.
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).