Remembering Michael Hutchence

Remembering Michael Hutchence

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Posted 2022-11-06 by Steven Gfollow
November 2022 marks 25 years since the passing of the Australian singer Michael Hutchence. When this was pointed out to me online recently, I was sort off stunned. Had it really been 25 years? Why did it seem like only a few years ago? But, no – he passed away in November of 1997.

Wow.


Michael was probably best known as the lead singer with INXS, and that is what I will be focusing on here. A large number of friends in high school were fans of INXS, and through into my twenties, people really looked forward to the new albums. I also liked them, especially their 1980s stuff. But I feel like INXS has sort of faded into the background of Australian rock history in recent years. Australians tend not to treat their past musicians well in the modern zeitgeist, especially compared to those in the USA, Canada and the UK. Fans remember, but the music is not pushed as much. And that is a shame because INXS really did contribute heavily to the 1980s Australian soundtrack. Now one of their songs has been appropriated by the Port Power AFL team and that seems to be it.

So, after 25 years, here are some of my favourite songs featuring Michael Hutchence.
'Just Keep Walking' by INXS (1980)

Coming from INXS's debut self-titled album, this song hit straight away, in that New Wave-Punk hybrid that Australian musicians seemed to adopt at the time.
'The Loved One' by INXS (1980)

One of the very few cover songs INXS released, this is their take on The Loved Ones' song (yes, they named themselves after their hit song). They do a really good version of it, too. (They redid it a few years later, but I prefer the earlier version.)
'Stay Young' by INXS (1981)

INXS never stayed with one sound for too long, and this was a good change of pace into a more melodic style, while keeping that great backing music.
'Don't Change' by INXS (1982)

This is the first INXS track I remember hearing, and, I admit, I really liked it. Michael's voice is at the forefront here, but that guitar work is incredible.
'Original Sin' by INXS (1984)

I seem to remember this song creating some issues with people in power at the time, but those of us into the music didn't care. It was just a good song. This was the second INXS 12" single I bought.
'I Send A Message' by INXS (1984)

The music has a slightly different feel here, and the song does not suffer for that. Another great piece of music, though I don't get the video.
'Burn For You' by INXS (1984)

The first INXS 12" I bought! A firm declaration of love in rock form, this song still sounds so good, especially that opening music with the voice mixing into a synth track.
'The Swing' by INXS (1984)

The title track of my favourite INXS album (as can be seen by the previous 3 songs from it), the percussion here gets me. This is an album cut, not released as a single.
'Sex Symbol' by Flame Fortune (1985)

This was Michael's girlfriend at the time, and he wrote, produced and provided male vocals for the song (despite what the video indicates). I was debating whether to include this, but I have it on 45, so…
'What You Need' by INXS (1985)

INXS take on what feels like some more modern sounds without letting their music down because it still punches. That drum breakdown in the middle still sounds so good.
'This Time' by INXS (1985)

Another great track, with Michael's voice really showing how well he could sing. So many great songs!
'Good Times' by Jimmy Barnes and INXS (1986)

Australian rock royalty at the time coming together to record the second cover on this list, the old Easybeats song, and they made it their own. This was everywhere that year!
'Need You Tonight' by INXS (1987)

Yet another song I have on 12". With its staccato delivery and glorious guitar runs, this is another song that you could not escape.
'Never Tear Us Apart' by INXS (1987)

Yes, Port Power now claim it, but before then it was a love song I even heard at weddings over the ensuing decade. The addition of strings was a genius move.
'Way Of The World' by Max Q (1989)

An interesting side project from Michael, this produced an album that I was not keen on, but this single from it was great, with a different sound to INXS.
'Suicide Blonde' by INXS (1990)

With that harmonica, this song was allegedly written at the time about Michael's then-girlfriend Kylie Minogue. Another track you couldn't avoid at the time.
'Baby Don't Cry' by INXS (1992)

One of Michael's best vocal performances on single (and that's saying something), this song is an affirmation that just rocks.
'Full Moon, Dirty Hearts' by INXS feat. Chrissie Hynde (1993)

As I said the last time I wrote about this song , it has a slightly different feel to much of their output and the addition of Hynde was a great choice.
'The Strangest Party (These Are The Times)' by INXS (1994)

A single recorded for their greatest hits album out at the time, it does not feel like a filler track to make fans buy it. This is a really strong song.
'A Straight Line' by Michael Hutchence (1999)

Released two years after his death, this song is Michael in experimental form, and the song is a fine way to close out this list.
So, there we are. 20 songs with which we can remember Michael Hutchence. There were some I wanted to include but there is not even an audio clip available anywhere, but these 20 are an incredible list.

Michael was an Australian musical great.
via GIPHY

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83153 - 2023-06-11 06:38:18

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